Many people have been suffering from colds and fevers recently. In addition to sore throats, headaches and coughs, joint and muscle pain is also common. It feels like there is pain in the bones. Some people even suspect arthritis. Although this possibility cannot be completely ruled out, the chance of it happening is very small. Simply put, when the human body is infected with a cold virus, the white blood cells in the immune system are busy dealing with the virus , delaying its daily work, that is, maintaining and repairing the muscles that are damaged every day, so the muscles and joints feel sore.
In addition, white blood cells produce a chemical when fighting viruses, which can cause inflammation of muscles and joints, causing symptoms similar to arthritis or rheumatism. However, these symptoms are usually temporary. Once the body overcomes the viral infection, the symptoms of joint pain will be relieved and disappear.
Take medicine
If the pain is severe and accompanied by fever, you can take ibuprofen or paracetamol . They both have antipyretic and analgesic effects. The difference is that paracetamol is more likely to reduce fever. In addition to reducing fever, ibuprofen can also reduce inflammation, especially for muscle and joint pain. It is more effective than paracetamol, but has greater side effects and is prone to gastrointestinal and other adverse reactions. It is not recommended to take it for more than 3 days in a row.
Massage
Massage can help relieve body pain caused by colds and can also reduce levels of cortisol in the body. These stress hormones can damage the body's infection-fighting white blood cells, thereby reducing the body's immunity . You don’t necessarily need a professional masseur to perform massage, as long as family or friends can help relax the muscles.
Maintaining air humidity
The core is to treat colds. The nose and throat are the first line of defense against viruses. There is a layer of fine villi on the surface of the respiratory tract, and a layer of mucus on the cilia. If there are pollutants in the inhaled air, such as particles, allergens, viruses and bacteria , the mucus will stick to these harmful substances. Through the rhythmic swing of the cilia, the harmful substances will be excreted in the form of phlegm to avoid entering the body and causing infection.
However, if the surrounding air is too dry, mucus will dry out and the cilia will be damaged, weakening the ability to filter the air, and the body will be more likely to be infected by bacteria or viruses. This is why it is easy to cough in a dry environment. Therefore, if you prepare an air humidifier at home, keeping the relative humidity at 40% to 60% will effectively reduce the spread of the virus and effectively relieve systemic symptoms, including muscle and bone pain.
Keep water in the body
Fever often causes excessive sweating. When the body loses too much water, vomiting or diarrhea may occur in severe cases. It is recommended to replenish water as much as possible and drink plenty of water without coloring or additives. Water can also help fight infection.
Ensure adequate rest
Adequate sleep is especially important. Sleep can not only regulate immune function but also reduce inflammation in the body. Only when relaxed and rested can the body fight the virus most effectively. However, lying motionless is not recommended. Doing some light stretching exercises with arms and legs can promote blood circulation and flexibility, and also help relieve pain. At the same time, eat more foods with high protein content, such as eggs and lean meat. If you have no appetite, you can make soup to supplement your food.
Keep warm at all times
Fever can cause dizziness and weakness of the limbs, and may come and go. You should pay attention to keeping warm until you recover. Heating pads or electric mattresses can not only keep warm, but also relieve body pain caused by colds. But be careful not to turn it on too hot to prevent excessive sweating and dehydration.
Medical science, for reference only.
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