Body aches are one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of the flu. That deep, sore, all-over pain can make even simple movements feel exhausting. Many people wonder whether ice or heat works better for relieving flu-related body aches. The answer depends on why the aches occur and what feels most soothing to your body. Understanding the cause of flu aches and how different therapies help can make recovery more comfortable.
For same-day flu symptom relief, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Union City. Our medical team is available 7 days a week to treat your flu symptoms with no appointment necessary. Walk-in or plan your visit in advance below!
What Causes Body Aches When You Are Sick?
Flu-related body aches are caused by your immune system responding to infection. When the body detects the flu virus, it releases inflammatory chemicals to fight it off. These chemicals can irritate muscles and joints, leading to soreness, stiffness, and a heavy, aching feeling. Fever, dehydration, and prolonged bed rest can also contribute to muscle discomfort, making aches feel more intense during the early days of illness.
What Helps Body Aches?
The most effective relief usually comes from a combination of rest, hydration, and symptom management. Drinking fluids helps reduce inflammation and prevents dehydration-related muscle cramps. Over-the-counter pain relievers, when used as directed, can reduce both fever and aches. Gentle stretching or light movement, once fever improves, can prevent stiffness. Choosing between ice or heat often depends on whether muscles feel inflamed or tense.
Is Ice Application Effective?
Ice can be helpful if body aches feel sharp, inflamed, or throbbing. Cold therapy works by reducing inflammation and numbing sore areas, which can temporarily relieve pain. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to especially sore muscles for 15-20 minutes may help during the peak of flu symptoms or when fever is present. However, ice is not always comfortable for people who already feel chilled from the flu.
Heat therapy may be more soothing when muscles feel tight, stiff, or tense rather than inflamed. Warm showers, heating pads, or warm compresses can increase blood flow and help muscles relax. Many people find heat especially comforting once fever has subsided.
When to See Your Doctor About Full-Body Aches
While body aches are normal with the flu, they should gradually improve as other symptoms resolve. You should seek medical care if aches are severe, worsening, or accompanied by symptoms such as high or persistent fever, chest pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty breathing. These may indicate complications or another condition beyond the flu. Urgent care is a good option if flu-related body aches are intense, long-lasting, or interfering with daily activities.
Get Same-Day Flu Symptom Relief at AFC Urgent Care Union City
Urgent care providers can evaluate your symptoms, rule out complications, and recommend appropriate treatment for pain and flu management. Getting prompt care helps ensure your body aches are truly flu-related and that you recover as comfortably and safely as possible. Don’t suffer from your symptoms if you’re dealing with the flu, and visit AFC Urgent Care Union City today. Our providers can help patients develop a personalized plan to help manage symptoms. The walk-in clinic is open 7 days a week. We offer low costs for our self-pay patients and accept many insurance carriers. If you have any additional questions about flu treatment, or other urgent care services we provide, please call us at (551) 257-1948.
