Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Seek medical attention for muscle pain with fever
• Method 2 of 3: Reduce fever and pain by adjusting your lifestyle
• Method 3 of 3: Treat muscle pain without fever
• Warnings

The combination of fever and body aches is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection - often a virus such as the flu or the common cold. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), pneumonia (often bacterial) and cystitis (bacterial) also often bring fever and pain. A bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, but a virus usually has to pass on its own. There are many possible explanations for muscle pain without fever, and their treatment depends on the cause. Either way, there are steps you can take to relieve the discomfort and speed up the healing process.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Seek medical attention for muscle pain with fever

1. See your doctor. If you have signs of fever and pain, the first thing to do is to see your doctor. He / she can determine the cause and recommend treatment. If the muscle pain is accompanied by a fever, treatment is usually something that requires expert intervention.
   • Tick ​​or insect bites can cause a variety of conditions, including Lyme disease, which must be treated by a doctor.
   • If you've recently switched to a new drug, it can also cause flu-like symptoms. Never adjust your own medication without consulting your doctor.
   • A metabolic disease often manifests as severe abdominal pain that gets worse when you move. It must be treated by a doctor.
2. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Both types of painkillers lower the fever and reduce pain in the body. Ibuprofen prevents the temperature from rising further and decreases the amount of the hormone "prostaglandin" that causes pain and inflammation. Paracetamol reduces central nervous system pain and lowers fever, but it does not inhibit inflammation. Alternating between the two may be more effective in lowering fever and pain in the body than choosing just one of the two.
   • Do not take a double dose. Follow the instructions in the package insert.
   • Alternating medications will help prevent negative side effects from excessive amounts of a particular drug.
   • Taking anti-inflammatory painkillers chronically can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. This is because these agents damage the protective layer of the stomach.
3. Do not give children aspirin. Although it is safe for adults to use, aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome in children - a serious disease of the brain and liver that mainly develops when a child has the flu or chicken pox. This condition can be deadly. If you suspect your child has this, seek immediate medical attention. The symptoms develop shortly after the child takes aspirin and include:
   • Lethargy
   • Mental confusion
   • Convulsions
   • Nausea and vomiting
4. Ask your doctor about antiviral medications for the flu. Viral infections usually spread through close contact and poor hygiene. Although viral infections such as the flu often clear up on their own, you can choose to ask your doctor for antiviral medications to help the virus clear up sooner. Symptoms include muscle pain and general fatigue, in addition to a temperature of 38ºC or higher. Some patients also have upper respiratory symptoms such as headache, runny nose, sinus pain, and sore throat.
   • By getting an annual flu shot, you significantly reduce the risk of flu.
   • Your doctor may decide to prescribe your Oseltamivir if you have not had symptoms for more than 48 hours. The usual dose of this is 75 mg twice a day, within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
5. Take antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection. If your doctor thinks you have a bacterial infection causing the symptoms, he / she will prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work against a virus infection. However, they can kill bacteria in the body and / or prevent them from multiplying. This allows the body's natural defense system to fight the rest of the infection itself.
   • The type of antibiotic you receive depends on the specific bacterial infection you have.
   • The doctor may order some blood in the lab to determine which bacteria is causing the symptoms.

Method 2 of 3: Reduce fever and pain by adjusting your lifestyle

1. Take it easy. Research has shown that sleep deprivation can suppress the functioning of the immune system, and that rest can actually enhance the functioning. Your body has to fight the infection that is causing the fever and pain. Even if you take medication to relieve symptoms, your body still needs to rest so that it has more power to fight the infection.
2. Use lukewarm water to lower the fever. Take a bath in lukewarm water or put cold, wet towels on your body to lower your temperature. Don't do this if you have chills. By cooling your body you will shiver even more, which can cause your body temperature to rise.
   • Do not take a bath in cold water. As a result, your temperature drops too quickly. Take a bath in lukewarm water.
3. Hydrate your body. When you have a fever, your body loses water more quickly. The dehydration can get worse if the fever is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. Your body relies heavily on water to function properly, so if you are well hydrated you will heal faster. Drink cold drinks to hydrate and cool your body.
   • Sports drinks such as Gatorade and AA are good to drink when your stomach or intestines are upset. These drinks can replenish lost electrolytes.
   • Clear liquids such as broth or soup are also good to drink if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. Know that you lose a lot of fluids in that state, so you need to drink enough to replenish everything and stay well hydrated.
   • Drinking green tea can boost your immune system. It can make diarrhea worse, so if you have diarrhea in addition to the fever and pain, don't have green tea.
4. Eat foods that are high in antioxidants. Diet with antioxidants strengthens your immune system and makes it easier for your body to fight the infection that causes the symptoms. Foods that are good to eat include:
   • Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, and other deep-colored fruits (yes, tomatoes are fruits!)
   • Vegetables such as pumpkin and bell pepper
   • Avoid fast foods and processed foods such as cakes, white bread, chips, and candies.
5. Wear wet socks. This technique ensures that your body temperature drops. Wet a thin pair of cotton socks with lukewarm water and wring them out. Put them on and put a thick pair of socks over them (this will keep your feet warm). Wear this when you go to bed.
   • Your body sends blood and lymph fluid throughout your body while you sleep, and this stimulates your immune system.
   • You can do this for 5-6 nights in a row. Then don't do it for 2 nights, and then move on.
6. Stop smoking. Smoking makes the symptoms of a viral infection such as the flu and cold worse. It also harms your immune system, making it harder for your body to recover.

Method 3 of 3: Treat muscle pain without fever

1. Rest strained muscles. The most common cause of muscle pain without fever is simply overexertion. Maybe you've been in the gym for too long, or maybe you've been overdoing it on your run. You then get pain because lactic acid has built up in your muscles. The pain will pass if you rest the affected muscles and let them heal. Postpone exercising until you feel better.
   • To avoid this type of muscle pain, you should exercise regularly so that your body does not become overloaded so quickly. Build your workouts slowly instead of plunging into it right away. Always stretch well before and after your workout.
   • Drink more electrolytes when your body needs to recover. Muscle pain can also come from a lack of electrolytes such as potassium or calcium.
   • Drink sports drinks such as Gatorade or AA to replenish lost electrolytes after your workout.
2. Treat local muscle pain or injuries with the RICE method. A broken bone or a torn ligament requires emergency medical attention, but you can usually treat a pulled muscle or muscle pain yourself. This type of muscle pain is often the result of a blow or injury from exercise. Symptoms are usually pain and / or swelling of the injured area. You may not be able to move your limb properly until the injury is over. These injuries can be treated with the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
   • Rest the affected muscle as much as possible.
   • Apply Ice to the area to reduce swelling. The ice also numbs the nerve endings, temporarily relieving pain. Always place an ice pack on the painful area for 15-20 minutes.
   • Compression reduces swelling and stabilizes your limb. This can be especially good if you have injured your leg and have difficulty walking. Wrap an elastic bandage or sports tape around the painful area.
   • Elevation means that you place the painful area higher than your heart, so that blood can enter less easily. This reduces the swelling with the help of gravity.
3. Take measures to prevent overload from office work. Although it may sound strange, a sedentary lifestyle due to office work can cause sore muscles. If you have to sit for a long time, it can cause lower back pain, poor circulation and a larger abdomen. Staring at a computer screen for hours every day can also give you headaches and strained eyes.
   • To treat this type of muscle pain, you can take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or aspirin.
   • Take breaks by getting up from your desk every now and then to ease your back and neck.
   • Rest your eyes by taking a break every 20 minutes. Look at an object about 20 seconds away from you for 20 seconds.
   • Regular exercise and drinking plenty of water can also help.
4. Discuss your medication use with your doctor. The medications you take to treat another condition can cause body aches. This pain may start just after you take the drug or when the dose is increased. In addition, certain recreational drugs can cause a condition called rhabdomyolysis. This is a serious condition in which the muscle tissue is broken down. This disease must be treated immediately in the hospital. See a doctor immediately if the muscle pain is accompanied by dark urine, after taking any of the following medications or drugs:
   • Antipsychotics
   • Statins
   • Amphetamines
   • Cocaine
   • Antidepressants
   • Anticholinergics
5. Take more electrolytes to treat an imbalance. Electrolytes are certain minerals in the body that have an electrical charge. Examples of this are potassium, calcium and magnesium. These minerals affect the hydration and functioning of the muscles, in addition to other important body functions. Deficiency can lead to tension and pain in the muscles.
   • You lose a lot of electrolytes when you sweat, but there are all kinds of products available to restore the balance, such as supplements.
   • Sports drinks such as Gatorade and AA are also examples of this. Water unfortunately does not naturally contain electrolytes.
   • If the pain does not subside while you are trying to treat it at home, call your doctor for advice.
6. Follow expert medical advice to treat a variety of muscle disorders. There are all kinds of muscle disorders that cause chronic pain. If you're always in pain and can't explain the cause, talk to your doctor. Tell him / her your detailed medical history, your family history, any medications you are taking, and any symptoms. He / she can then determine which tests should be done to determine the cause of the pain. Examples of muscle disorders are:
   • Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis: These common muscle inflammations are more common in women than men. The symptoms include muscle breakdown or weakness, pain and difficulty swallowing. Treatment consists of steroids and immunomodulators. Doctors will take blood to determine if you have any of these conditions. Specific autoantibodies are present in some of these diseases. For example, in polymyositis, the physician will look for anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies as a marker for diagnosis.
   • Fibromyalgia: This disease can be hereditary as well as the result of trauma, anxiety or depression. It manifests as a dull, constant pain throughout the body, often worst in the upper back and shoulders. Other symptoms include headaches, jaw pain, fatigue, and amnesia or slowness of comprehension. To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you have to suffer from 11 of the 18 pain points on the body. The treatment consists of learning to manage stress, for example through yoga or mediation, and sometimes painkillers. Some patients are also referred to a psychiatrist for treatment of depression or prescribed antidepressants.
7. If necessary, call for emergency assistance. You may be tempted to wait for your muscle pain to resolve while you rest at home. However, some symptoms require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency medical care if you experience the following:
   • Severe pain, or pain that increases and does not go away with medication
   • Extreme muscle weakness or numbness
   • High fever
   • Difficulty breathing or dizziness
   • Chest pain or altered vision
   • Muscle pain in combination with dark urine
   • Reduced blood flow or cold, pale or bluish limbs
   • Other symptoms you don't trust
   • Blood in the urine

Warnings

• Aspirin is not recommended to lower the fever; a side effect of aspirin is stomach pain.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol if you have a fever and pain.
• Ibuprofen can cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting.