Hi~ I've Had Body Aches And Fatigue For The Past

Posted on Tue, 21 May 2019

Question: Hi~

I've had body aches and fatigue for the past 3 days with a fever. It went as high as 102 two days ago but now is very low at around 100. My nomal temp is around 96. I really don't have congestion but have started a very slight dry cough. I'm 51 and very healthy.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
likely a viral illness

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The most likely reason for your symptoms would be a viral illness. Viral infections are the most common reasons for acute onset of fever and fatigue and muscle aches

Common cold is the most common of viral infection but based on your history of body aches and pain, you may have the flu

Most persons with the flu recover quite well and the fact that you are normally healthy means that this should be the case for you

Symptoms typically last 1 to 2 weeks though fatigue can sometimes persist for a longer period of time.

The coughing is likely to progress

Treatment consists of : rest and fluids , paracetamol/tylenol to help with the fever and aches (ibuprofen can be added if the tylenol alone is not effective and other meds as needed eg if the coughing worsens can add a cough suppressant eg dextromethorphan (robitussin)

If symptoms become severe then you need to be seen, some persons with the flu get a bacterial infection on top of the viral flu- would be shortness of breath etc. This is not common

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar