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Studies show that severe body aches are the third most common symptom of COVID-19 infection.
Besides the most common symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath, patients have reported severe body or muscle aches, vomiting, rashes, and loss of taste and smell.
Aches in the body, joints, and bones are common with coronavirus and most other viral illnesses.
Mechanism
- According to studies, when the immune system is hyper-stimulated secondary to an infection, it triggers an immune response that causes white blood cells to produce interleukins. These can result in severe body aches.
- When one has the flu, the body aches because the immune system is working overtime to combat the infection. These aches are not necessarily caused by the virus, but the body's reaction to the virus invasion may result in severe body aches.
- Fever itself can cause body ache due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Most patients suffering from COVID-19 have reported severe body aches and fatigue, as well as low-grade fever and a headache.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a breakdown of symptoms for COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals.
- 75 percent of patients had chills, fever, or cough, and nearly as many had shortness of breath.
- About 33 percent of patients have reported flu-like muscle aches or severe body aches.
- 28 percent of patients have reported diarrhea and 25 percent of patients have reported nausea or vomiting.
- 18 percent have reported headaches.
- 10 to 15 percent have reported chest or abdominal pain, runny nose, sore throat, and confusion.
- Seizures, rashes, loss of smell or taste, and conjunctivitis were reported by less than one percent of the CDC cohort study.
Patients may experience symptoms that change frequently as COVID-19 progresses. A patient's symptoms may begin with a headache and fever, then progress to shortness of breath and muscle aches. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), patients with COVID-19 in the United States report a wide range of symptoms across a spectrum of illness severity.
After a few studies and analyses, the WHO and CDC have concluded that severe body aches may be the third most common symptom of COVID-19 after fever and cough. Even though studies are limited, most patients have complained of severe body aches before or after the COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed.
If a person suffers from body aches and suspects it could be due to COVID-19, they should:
- Self-isolate at home
- Get tested (irrespective of the vaccination status)
- Monitor themselves for other symptoms, such as fever and sore throat
- Get rest
- Stay hydrated
- Stretch several times a day
- Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed
- Discuss with the doctor about diet and multivitamins that may help strengthen their immune system to fight against COVID-19
What does the research say about COVID-19 symptoms?
According to the most recent research, most COVID-19 cases fall into the least severe category.
- Mild to moderate: 81 percent.
- Severe: 14 percent.
- Critical: 5 percent.
Age appears to be a significant factor in who gets sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered that older people have the highest death rate from coronavirus disease in the United States in a recent analysis of COVID-19.
The body reacts to COVID-19 depending on:
- Age
- The immune system
- General health
- Any underlying health conditions
Conditions that make one more vulnerable to COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Lung health
- Kidney or heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
It is possible to be infected and not exhibit any coronavirus symptoms. According to the CDC, 30 percent of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic.
Mild symptoms
Most people infected with the virus will experience mild respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat.
Other mild COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Low-grade fever (about 100°F)
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea
- Itchy, painful patches on the skin (especially in young people); these patches often show up on the toes and are called “COVID toes”
One may feel as if they have a cold if they have a mild case. One can do most of the daily tasks without much difficulty in a mild case of infection.
Moderate symptoms
- Fever above 100.4°F
- Chills with repeated shaking
- Deep cough
- Fatigue and body aches
- Muscle pain
- A general feeling of being unwell
- Some shortness of breath
People with moderate COVID-19 will experience mostly the same symptoms of mild infection but the intensity of the symptoms will be higher.
Severe symptoms
Some or all of the common COVID-19 symptoms, as well as:
- Shortness of breath, even at rest
- Chest discomfort
- Confusion or unresponsiveness
- Trouble staying awake
- Eye problems, such as watery eyes or swollen eyelids
- Bluish face and lips (a sign that the body is not getting enough oxygen)
- Breathing issues
In the event of severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. COVID-19 can cause pneumonia and lung scarring.
Most people infected with the virus will begin to exhibit symptoms within 11 to 12 days. Recovery time for those with severe cases can range from three to six weeks and in some cases, even longer.
A mild case of coronavirus can progress to a severe case. The timing will be determined by each person's immune system and underlying health conditions. There have been reports of symptoms developing quickly in a few hours and cases that take days to develop.
The CDC suggests that reinfection with COVID-19 is extremely unlikely in the first three months after infection though not impossible.
What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome?
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a very rare and severe complication associated with COVID-19 and is often seen in children.
The most common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Red rash
- Red eyes
- Red lips
- Red palms and soles
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Half of the patients develop trouble breathing
MIS-C causes a variety of symptoms in the body. All patients suffering from this syndrome should see a doctor. Most of them require hospitalization.
Some cases resemble Kawasaki's disease, a common condition in children. Because COVID-19 remains a mild disease in most children, the occurrence of MIS-C is extremely rare.
Treatment
- Administration of medications, such as intravenous immune serum globulin and steroids
- Most children recover completely
- MIS-C can be avoided by immunizing a child against COVID-19
How safe are COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses?
Before they are administered to humans, vaccines must be proven to be both safe and effective. Vaccines and booster doses for COVID-19 are no exception. Across the country, the vaccine has been administered to millions of people and has saved countless lives and limited infection severity.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a vaccine to go through a rigorous scientific process that includes three phases of clinical trials before it can be authorized or approved. COVID-19 vaccine trials must adhere to the same safety guidelines as other vaccine trials.
Though scientists have developed COVID-19 vaccines, there is no cure for the infectious disease yet.
- The treatment for mild to moderate cases of this coronavirus is called supportive care. Rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter pain and fever relievers, such as Tylenol, are part of the treatment plan.
- More severe cases, particularly those involving difficulty breathing, may necessitate hospitalization.
