What Do Neck Pain With Body Aches Indicate After Recovering From The Flu?

Posted on Thu, 22 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 Answered on

Fri, 1 Dec 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I got the flu about two months ago and felt that I was recovered two weeks later. Since then I have had severe neck pain for over a month and a half,also body aches. Not getting much better. I take ibuprofen and heating pad. No fever.

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Need further work up

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The muscle and body pain you are continuing to experience is concerning for viral arthritis.

Viral arthritis is an inflammatory reaction to certain viral infections like parvovirus, adenovirus, alphavirus etc. These infections can present as simple cold or flu.

Physical examination and blood serology to identify viral infection is needed at this point. So please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for further evaluation and management.

Meanwhile, you can continue using Ibuprofen and heating pad.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad