Why do my legs ache after flu?

Why do my legs ache after flu?

When a body is infected with a virus, the immune system works to fight the infection. Donaldson says this fight could lead you to feel muscle inflammation and weakness — called myositis — or joint and muscle pain — called myalgia.

How long does myositis last after flu?

Dr. Pickens says it typically lasts anywhere from four to 10 days and then it just goes away on its own with no lasting effects.

Can flu affect your legs?

It is well-known that muscle aches and weakness are prominent symptoms of influenza infection. Our study in an animal model found that influenza infection leads to an increase in the expression of muscle-degrading genes and a decrease in expression of muscle-building genes in skeletal muscles in the legs.

How long does muscle weakness last after the flu?

Background. Myositis is a recognised complication of numerous systemic viral infections including influenza [1]. In adults the typical pattern characterised with myalgia and marked proximal muscle weakness in upper and lower limbs and resolves slowly over weeks rather than days [2].

Can a virus cause aching legs?

This muscle-related condition is also known as influenza-associated myositis, viral myositis, and acute myositis. It was first documented in 1905 by Leichtenstern as tender thigh and calf pain, suggested as a complication of influenza.

How do you get rid of leg aches from the flu?

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1. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to reduce fever and muscle aches.
2. Drink clear fluids, such as water, broth or sports drinks.
3. Rest as needed or change some of your activities, depending on your symptoms.

Why do my legs ache after being sick?

What causes body aches when you’re sick? When you have the flu, a common cold, a virus or a bacterial infection, your immune system jumps into action. It reacts by releasing white blood cells to fight off the infection. The reaction causes inflammation, which can leave your muscles feeling achy.

Can’t walk after the flu?

Answer Benign acute childhood myositis is a mild and self-limited sudden onset of lower extremity pain during or following recovery from a viral illness. Presentation can include tiptoe gait or refusal to walk, secondary to symmetric bilateral lower extremity pain that resolves quickly, usually within 3 days.

Do your joints hurt with Covid?

Recent research published in The Lancet in October 2020 finds that nearly 15 percent of COVID-19 patients report experiencing joint pain.

Can viral infection cause leg pain?

How do you get rid of leg aches when sick?

What helps body aches

1. Stay hydrated. Some symptoms of cold and flu — such as sweating, vomiting and diarrhea — can leave you dehydrated.
2. Use heat to relax your muscles. Heat can loosen muscles and provide relief from body aches.
3. Regulate your body temperature.
4. Rest.
5. Take over-the-counter pain medication.

Does COVID-19 affect your legs?

You may get pain in your arms, legs, or back that develops spontaneously with no injury. Typically, in a coronavirus infection, the pain is in muscles rather than in joints. But if you have an arthritic joint in your arm or leg, the virus may exaggerate the symptoms. The pain may be severe and limiting.

How long does leg pain last with flu?

Muscle aches from the flu are caused by inflammation from the flu virus wreaking havoc on the body’s cells. The aches should subside once the virus leaves the body, which could be anytime between a few days and two weeks.

What does viral myositis feel like?

People with myositis caused by a virus usually have symptoms of a viral infection, such as runny nose, fever, cough and sore throat, or nausea and diarrhea. But the symptoms of viral infection may go away days or weeks before myositis symptoms begin. Some people with myositis have muscle pain, but many do not.