Should you take Tylenol at 1st sign of illness?

A common sign of “sickness” is a low-grade fever with muscle aches and weakness. What is the best way to deal with these symptoms?

“Aching all over is a sign that your body is overworked and inflamed, so it's best to get plenty of rest first,” said Professor Kwon Hyuk-tae of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital on “SNUH TV.”

Since body aches are an inflammatory response, trying various ways to reduce inflammation can also help reduce body aches. One way to do this is to take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever like Tylenol as soon as you feel the aches coming on.

“It's a pretty good idea to take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) early in the day because it reduces inflammation,” Professor Kwon said.

Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties is also a good way to deal with body aches.

“Trying to eat more omega-3s, pineapple, and other things that have anti-inflammatory properties can be a quick way to get rid of the aches,” Kwon advised.

If you're also experiencing chills, warming up the room or taking a warm shower can help. “As the temperature outside increases and becomes more similar to your body's temperature, you may feel less cold,” Professor Kwon noted.

What causes body aches, then?

“Any disease that causes inflammation throughout the body can be felt as body aches as an early symptom,” Kwon explained. “There are many diseases that cause body aches, and the most common one is called ‘cold and ache,’ and body aches are generally common when you have a cold.”

Just because it's the most common doesn't mean all body aches are mild. It could be an early symptom of a more serious condition.

“Things like pyelonephritis, which is an inflammation of the kidneys, may seem like a cold and ache at first, with some fever and chills, but it starts with infection and inflammation, and then the bacteria spreads throughout the body,” Kwon said. “Also, fibromyalgia, which is a rare disease that causes muscle pain throughout the body, can also have symptoms like a body ache at first.”

So, how can you tell which illnesses will end in mild body aches and which won't?

“Most body aches are mild inflammations that end within a week, but if they become more severe or last longer than a week, it's good to see a doctor to make sure it's not something more serious,” Professor Kwon said.