Muscles and joints often ache during the flu, a symptom technically referred to as myositis or myalgia. Joint pain, known as arthralgia, frequently accompanies fever as part of the body’s defense against illness. When the body is infected with a virus, the immune system’s response to fight off the infection can lead to muscle inflammation and weakness, causing discomfort.

Inflammation is a key part of the body’s immune response, causing pain, redness, swelling, and heat. This process not only fends off infectious agents like bacteria but also repairs tissue damage. Similar inflammatory responses occur with infections such as the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19, whether the inflammation is acute or chronic.

The flu is a respiratory tract infection that spreads easily and affects millions each year. Symptoms can start suddenly and include fever, muscle aches, and cough, in addition to sore throat, diarrhea, congestion, runny nose, and fatigue. Unlike COVID-19, the flu typically does not cause shortness of breath.

Influenza viruses infect the respiratory tract, binding to epithelial cells in the lungs and causing an infection that results in symptoms such as fever and muscle aches. The flu can make individuals of any age ill, but most recover after a few days, although fatigue may persist even after other symptoms have resolved.

Flu symptoms usually appear one to four days after exposure and last five to seven days. Vaccination may shorten the duration or lessen the severity of symptoms. However, influenza should not be taken lightly as it can make individuals feel quite ill, necessitating rest and sometimes medical attention.

Prevention is crucial, and vaccines play a significant role in mitigating the spread of influenza, which is highly contagious and can lead to epidemics, typically peaking during the winter months.