Coronavirus: How does pain associated with COVID-19 feel like

COVID-19 can cause muscle and body pain in some people. The intensity of this pain can range from mild to moderate. Most people have reported that COVID-19 body aches feel like dull muscle pain that may limit mobility or energy. It typically affects the shoulders, lower back, or legs. Body aches due to COVID-19 typically occur with other symptoms, such as headaches and tiredness. These can interfere with one’s routine tasks and activities.

Muscle pain associated with COVID-19 can be felt with movements of the muscle or while touching the muscle. While it may be hard to differentiate muscle pain from a workout from that caused by SARS-CoV-2, experts have found that virus pain tends to be more generalized, while exercise or injury-related pain is more localized in a specific muscle.

According to data from the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, body aches are an early symptom of COVID-19 and can last for 2 to 5 days. In people aged over 35 years, they are more likely to last for up to 7 to 8 days. The study also suggests that around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 will experience body aches.

This symptom is more common in those aged 16–65 years than in children or older adults. Unfortunately, body pain due to coronavirus can sometimes last much longer and is commonly reported in people dealing with long COVID-19.

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Coronavirus can cause body pain through inflammation in the body. Once detected, viruses trigger an inflammatory response from the body’s immune system. This inflammation involves a series of complex processes that the body uses to fight infections and other irritants in the body. However, it can cause some side effects – such as pain, swelling and difficulty in moving. It can also lead to fever and tiredness. Muscle pain resulting from COVID-19 is also caused by damage to the muscle fibers from the virus.

About 1 out of 3 people infected with COVID-19 report body aches as a symptom, according to research. A report from the World Health Organization analyzed nearly 56,000 cases of COVID-19 in China and found that nearly 15% of patients experienced muscle aches and pains. It was found to be more common than a sore throat (13.9%), headache (13.6%), and chills (11.4%).

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If you are suffering from body aches and suspect it could be due to COVID-19, you should get yourself tested, irrespective of your vaccination status. You should also self-isolate at home and monitor yourself for other symptoms, such as fever and sore throat. It is important to take ample rest and stay hydrated. Do mild stretches several times during the day and eat a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet. Consult your doctor for appropriate medication if required.