“Aches” in joints and muscles during a cold

Author, editor and medical expert – Petrashevich Anna Aleksandrovna.

Number of views: 20 616

Last updated date: 11/16/2021

Average reading time: 7 minutes

The common cold is a common disease caused by both bacteria and viruses. Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor worldwide1.

Symptoms of ARVI may differ depending on the pathogen that caused the disease1. However, in most cases, the manifestations of a cold are typical1:

• runny nose;
• pain and sore throat;
• cough;
• hoarseness of voice1.

In many cases, acute respiratory viral infections are accompanied by signs of intoxication: weakness, increased fatigue, headache, fever, sweating.
The general symptoms of influenza are especially pronounced1. Most often, the prognosis for influenza is favorable and the disease proceeds benignly for 2-5 days, however, according to WHO, complications can develop in 10-30% of cases5.

The entry of infection into the body leads to the development of local and systemic inflammation . Without proper treatment, the inflammatory reaction progresses. Symptoms of intoxication increase, body temperature rises sharply (above 38°C)5.

If you do not see a doctor in time, a common cold or flu can lead to serious complications - sore throat, otitis media, sinusitis, bronchitis and even pneumonia2,4.

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What does body aches mean?

Aches are commonly referred to as dull pain in muscles, bones, and joints17. To roughly understand what it is associated with, you need to pay attention to other symptoms.

Body aches associated with colds and flu

Muscle and joint pain associated with fever can be a manifestation of viral and bacterial infections of various organs2. Most often, aches throughout the body along with a rise in temperature occur with acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), including influenza5. However, it can be expressed differently, depending on the “culprit” - the causative agent of the infection:

• With ARVI (for example, rhinovirus, adenovirus infection), pain in the body is mild1,5. The patient is more concerned about a runny nose, sore and sore throat, cough, hoarseness, and possibly a slight increase in temperature1.5. As a rule, it remains subfebrile5, that is, within 37-38 0C8, but the temperature reaction largely depends on the characteristics of the body and the virus that caused the inflammation5.
• With influenza, muscle and joint pain is one of the leading symptoms1,4. It appears against a background of general weakness, chills, headache and severe redness of the eyes1. A feeling of sore throat, rawness behind the sternum along the trachea, a dry hacking cough and other symptoms of inflammation of the respiratory tract with influenza appear later1,4. Body temperature may be above 38 0C1.

Fever and aches are manifestations of intoxication1,4, which occurs as a result of exposure to substances secreted by microbes or formed in inflamed tissues. These substances penetrate the blood and spread throughout the body, including the muscles3. By irritating nerve endings, they cause aches and pain3,8. Therefore, the more pronounced the temperature reaction, the more the whole body hurts8.

With influenza, fever, pain in muscles and joints last about 5 days, and with ARVI - from 2 to 12 days5. Then, as the temperature decreases and normalizes, the cold symptoms weaken8.

When is a painkiller prescribed for a cold?

of a cold appear, comprehensive within the first 24-48 hours3 . It usually includes 3:

1. etiotropic drugs to destroy the infectious agent (antiviral agents and interferon inducers);
2. symptomatic drug therapy (antipyretics, antihistamines, antitussives, decongestants for the common cold)3.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs or NSAIDs) have a complex effect, including pain relief5. These drugs are often used to relieve pain, but for colds and flu they bring relief to people not only with pain, but also with fever due to their antipyretic properties6.

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Body aches not associated with a cold

Sometimes discomfort in muscles or joints can be a completely natural reaction of the body to physical activity2, for example, if this is your first workout or you started exercising after a long break. Even in healthy people, similar symptoms often appear after a long walk in cold weather, being in an uncomfortable position or psycho-emotional stress2.

The following diseases and disorders can be the cause of joint pain2:

• allergic reactions;
• diabetes;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia (neurosis);
• blood diseases;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• chronic intestinal diseases;
• chronic hepatitis and cholecystitis;
• metabolic disorders;
• tumors.

You can get rid of discomfort only by eliminating its cause. Therefore, it is so important, regardless of whether body aches are accompanied by an increase in temperature or not, to consult a doctor and begin the necessary treatment in a timely manner.

Effect of RINZA® against flu and colds

For mild to moderate pain in muscles and joints, some experts primarily recommend the use of paracetamol6, which has a dual effect - analgesic and antipyretic6. Paracetamol has been well studied and has a broad safety profile, which allows its use to relieve fever and pain in ARVI6.

The RINZA® line of drugs is intended for the symptomatic treatment of colds and flu. Thanks to the paracetamol content, they fight cold symptoms such as body aches, headaches, muscle and back pain, fever and nasal discharge9,10,11.

RINZA® tablets are suitable for use throughout the day by adults and children over 15 years of age. The drug contains caffeine9, which enhances the effect of paracetamol16. The drug is ready for action within 10 minutes after administration15.

In addition to paracetamol and caffeine, RINZA® tablets contain9:

• the vasoconstrictor component phenylephrine, which facilitates breathing through the nose, reducing swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses;
• antiallergic component chlorphenamine, which helps reduce nasal secretion (mucus secretion), itching of the eyes, nose and throat.

RINZASIP® with vitamin C is a powder for preparing a hot drink containing an increased dose of paracetamol. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in its composition helps to increase the body's resistance to influenza and colds10, and pheniramine is included in the drug as an antiallergic component10. You can choose RINZASIP with vitamin C with the taste and aroma of orange, lemon or black currant10. For the symptomatic treatment of colds, the drug can be taken for no more than 5 days10.

The powder for preparing the hot drink RINZASIP® for children11 includes not only paracetamol, but also pheniramine and ascorbic acid11. RINZASIP® for children with raspberry flavor is suitable for adolescents and children from 6 years of age, it relieves unpleasant symptoms of colds and supports the body's defenses11.

Remember that the cause of body aches can be not only a common cold, but also other diseases and conditions that require consultation with a specialist7. For example, aches and diarrhea are likely signs of bowel disease2,8. If muscle and joint pain is combined with a sore throat, you may have a sore throat8. However, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Only a doctor can understand both the symptoms and their causes. Therefore, in order to start treatment on time, it is necessary to contact a therapist or pediatrician immediately when muscle or joint pain appears2,7.

In conclusion, let us remind you that it is better to prevent any disease than to treat it. To reduce the risk of contracting ARVI and influenza12,13,14:

• try to visit public places less often during epidemics;
• stay indoors with other people as little as possible;
• use personal protective equipment;
• maintain social distance;
• do not forget to wash your hands with soap and treat them with antiseptic more often;
• spend more time outdoors and on the move;
• support your immunity with hardening and good nutrition;
• Get a flu shot14.

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional advice from a doctor. To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, consult a qualified specialist.

Symptoms relieved by NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are unique due to the combination of pharmacological properties: anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic (pain reliever)6.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a protective reaction of the body in response to various damaging factors. NSAIDs reduce inflammation regardless of the cause and location of the inflammatory process10.

Heat

infectious agents enter the body . At the same time, there is a rise in temperature, increased heart rate, and increased blood flow, which leads to the suppression of viruses and bacteria and stimulation of the immune system6. However, the system sometimes fails - during the maximum temperature increase, overheating and damage to the body is possible. This is especially dangerous for people with poor health, with heart and vascular diseases, for the elderly and children6.

On the other hand, a sharp decrease in elevated temperature can lead to collapse (sudden cardiovascular failure), which is also very dangerous for the body6.

NSAIDs smoothly reduce temperature by acting directly on the thermoregulation center in the brain - heat production decreases and heat transfer increases6. Also, these drugs only work during fever and do not affect normal body temperature7. This is why NSAIDs are the symptomatic drugs of choice for high fevers such as colds and flu .

Pain

Headache and muscle pain are manifestations of ARVI, which may require taking non-steroidal drugs3. The pronounced analgesic effect of these drugs for colds and flu is due to the fact that they inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins - substances that increase pain sensitivity7.

When choosing medications, it is important to focus on drugs with minimal risk of side effects11.

Motrin® is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can be used to treat febrile conditions during colds and flu , as well as as part of complex therapy for infectious and inflammatory diseases of the ear, nose and throat with severe pain (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media)8. It is an over-the-counter naproxen-based drug that has analgesic, antipyretic , and anti-inflammatory effects8,9.

The advantage of naproxen is that it is not inferior to other NSAIDs in terms of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but at the same time causes fewer side effects9. The duration of the analgesic effect of naproxen is up to 12 hours*.

Motrin® is used to reduce pain, inflammation, reduce elevated body temperature and does not affect the development of the underlying disease8.

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Literature:

1. Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections: modern rational etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy. Algorithms for providing medical care to patients: method. recommendations [compiled by: Nikiforov V.V. and etc.]. - M.: Special book - 2018 - 20 pages.
2. Handbook of differential diagnosis of internal diseases / G.P. Matveykov, G.A. Vechersky, I.I. Goncharik; edited by G.P. Matveykova. – Mn.: Belarus, 1990., 607 p.
3. S. V. Menshikova. Intoxication. Facets of pathogenesis: old and new. Solution option. // S. V. Menshikova, G. G. Ketova, M. A. Popilov, Chief Physician of the South of Russia, No. 2 (54), 2021, pp. 44-47.
4. Sologub T.V. etc. Influenza. Clinical symptoms. // Sologub T.V., Ledvanov M.Yu., Maly V.P., Stukova N.Yu., Romantsov M.G., Bizenkova M.N., Polyakova T.D. / Advances in modern natural science No. 12, 2009, pp. 27-29.
5. Clinical protocol “ARVI and influenza in adults”, 08/23/2013, 20 pages.
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7. N. A. Shostak. Myalgia in therapeutic practice - approaches to differential diagnosis, treatment // N. A. Shostak, N. G. Pravdyuk, I. V. Novikov, E. S. Trofimov / Medical scientific and practical portal Attending physician No. 4, 2012, 6 pages
8. Infectious diseases: a textbook for students of higher education institutions in the specialty “General Medicine” of the subordination profile “General Medical Practice” / V. M. Semenov. – Vitebsk: VSMU, 2021. – 372 p.
9. Instructions for use of the drug RINZA® tablets. Registration number: P N015798/01 // /
10. Instructions for use of the drug RINZASIP® with vitamin C. Registration number: LS-002579 // /
11. Instructions for use of the drug RINZASIP® for children. Registration number: LP-001821 // /
12. MP 3.1.0140-18. 3.1. Prevention of infectious diseases. Nonspecific prevention of influenza and other acute respiratory infections. Methodological recommendations (approved by the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation on December 10, 2018), 50 pages.
13. Fedunova T.V. Hygiene for influenza, coronavirus infection and other acute respiratory viral infections. Document registered No. I-02-15/01-00037-02 dated 02/04/2020 (Moscow Department of Rospotrebnadzor), Document registered No. 01-11-7134/20 dated 02/10/2020 (Moscow Department of Health), 19 pages .
14. N.I. Briko. Vaccine prevention of influenza: successes and prospects // Safety of medical activities No. 9, 2011, pp. 93-96.
15. Paracetamol in the composition reaches its maximum concentration in the blood plasma after at least 10 minutes. Not associated with effect on symptoms. Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics, edited by Mark Tomlin, page 62, 2010.
16. Caffeine accelerates absorption and enhances the analgesic effect of acetaminophen. B. Renner, D. Clark. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 04/18/2007.
17. Explanatory online dictionary of the Russian language Efremova T. F. / https://lexicography.online/explanatory/efremova/%D0%BB/%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%82% D0%B0