To treat COVID body aches, focus on rest, hydration, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, alongside warm baths, gentle stretching, and heat/ice packs to soothe muscles; stay hydrated with water, broths, or teas, and see a doctor if symptoms worsen or include severe fever, breathing issues, or persistent pain.
How to Get Rid of Body Aches
COVID body aches feel like a dull, aching sensation in your muscles. You can feel as if your mobility is limited due to the pain. The pain can range from mild to severe and can occur if you already had body aches before the infection or if you didn't.
Ibuprofen, also known by the brand names Advil and Motrin, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These medications can help lower your fever and minimize muscle aches from COVID-19 while also reducing some inflammation in your body.
Day 4-7: Symptom Escalation
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
Viral shedding by asymptomatic people occurs. Viral shedding may antedate symptom onset by 2 days. Viral titers are highest in the earliest phases of infection, 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms, and then in the first 4-6 days of illness in patients without immunosuppression.
[3/19/2020] FDA is aware of news reports stating the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, could worsen coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“You should be hydrated enough so that your urine is almost clear,” says Thayer. If you have diarrhea or if you're sweating from a fever or chills, make sure you have salt or a little sugar in your fluids—think broths, fresh juices or electrolyte solutions like Gatorade—because salt and sugar can help you retain water.
Remedies for body aches and chills
Symptoms
While fever is often linked to infections, body aches without fever may point to a variety of underlying causes. These can range from stress and poor sleep to overexertion, viral infections in their early stages, or even chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.
Joint pain is a common symptom of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus. Medically known as arthralgia, joint pain can be accompanied by muscle cramps or other signs of infection with the virus.
Bathing and Hair Washing: It is safe to take a bath and wash your hair while you have COVID-19. Maintaining personal hygiene is important. Water Temperature: Use warm water, as it can be soothing, especially if you have body aches or chills.
On average, a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection can last for one to two weeks. 1 However, how quickly you bounce back from a COVID-19 infection depends on various factors, including your health before the infection, any underlying conditions you may have, and which variant of the virus you have contracted.
Muscle pain that is felt throughout your whole body is most often caused by an infection, such as the flu. Other causes include more-serious conditions, such as some diseases or health conditions that affect the muscles. Muscle pain also may be a side effect of certain medicines.
The "worst days of COVID" vary for individuals (often peak illness days 5-10 for severe symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue) and globally (major surges in 2020, winter 2021, Omicron waves in 2022-2023), marked by hospitalizations, deaths, and societal disruption, but the enduring struggle is "Long COVID" with persistent symptoms like extreme fatigue, brain fog, and heart issues, impacting daily life for months or years after the initial infection.
Foods to Avoid if You Have COVID
While there are no “wrong” foods, certain items should be eaten sparingly as you recover from the virus. These include: Foods that are high in saturated fat. Sugary drinks.
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Take Over-The-Counter Medications
Antivirals are most effective if started within the first 48 hours of symptoms. If used accurately, they can shorten the duration of illness by about 24 hours and decrease the risk of complications, especially in high-risk populations.
You're contagious with COVID-19 from about two days before symptoms start (or your positive test) and can remain infectious for up to 10 days, especially with fever or worsening symptoms, meaning isolation typically lasts around 5-10 days, though it's best to check local health guidelines.
When you are sick:
The COVID virus has more success surviving on hard surfaces, such as glass and plastic, than on porous ones like bedding. Once the virus lands on a porous material like a fabric, the droplets evaporate much quicker than they do on a hard surface.
Morning SARS-CoV-2 Testing Yields Better Detection of Infection Due to Higher Viral Loads in Saliva and Nasal Swabs upon Waking - PMC.
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