How does a cold make your whole body hurt?

Awww, feel better!

Not sure, but it’s possibly an exaggerated inflammation response to the virus (as explained to me once many years ago by a PA.)

Like Canid said, inflammation. I just noticed that @canidmajor is not candi. In my mind I always call her Candi.

Sorry you’re sick. Such a drag.

Your body starts producing white blood cells (leukocytes) and cytokines that can produce inflammation to help fight of the invading virus or bacteria. There is a battle going on in the body.

Colds (usually rhinovirus) usually aren’t terribly achy like flu, but still uncomfortable. Some colds are caused by coronavirus or sometimes it seems to be a virus, but it’s actually a bacterial infection, which can cause a fever, causing more aches.

Ibuprofen can be magical at reducing the discomfort if you are ok taking that drug. Should kick in after 50 minutes.

If you are taking a cold medicine that already has ibuprofen in it (I hate combination cold medicines) and it’s only 200mg, you could take another 200 or 400. If the medicine has a different drug like acetaminophen that might not work as well. You can combine acetaminophen and ibuprofen but pay attention to the dosage before adding more pain reliever type drugs. Remember to eat a little with ibuprofen and at least a few ounces of water.

I was thinking the same thing as @canidmajor. You’re sure it isn’t something else and maybe you have a low-grade
fever?

When I get a bad cold (not the flu, not Covid, just a basic, nasty, cold, I get a low-grade fever, hills, and some serious aches. It gets worse with age. Sometimes I get exposed to a rhinovirus type that is not the norm around here, and it hits me more severely. But it’s still a cold.

@Jeruba, let us know how you are feeling, I am sending all the good thoughts your way. I figure at this point in your life you already know how to deal with these th8ngs, so just drink your tea, close your eyes,put your head back, and listen to a good book. <3

Aww, thanks for all the sympathy. It really does help.

I am intimately familiar with colds (and allergies), a lifelong bane. I feel sure of what I’ve got, but covid has confused a lot of things, so I can’t claim 100% certainty. I can say I’m still in the very wet stage and getting very tired of it. As usual, I have developed a hard cough that will probably linger long after the cold is gone. Residual effects of pneumonia at two and whooping cough at fourteen—back when doctors still made house calls.

@canidmajor, your good thoughts feel like being tucked in, with a box of Kleenex and a book. Thanks.

@Pandora, since covid time, I check my temperature every morning. It typically runs low. For the past week, including today, it’s hovered around 98.1. Last Friday, about when this hit me, it was 97.9. So no fever. (Just cold!)

@JLeslie, thanks for the information. I don’t like the combination meds either, and my doctor once told me not to take them, saying they’re “very complicated.” I especially try to avoid the ones with acetaminophen, which blocks my options for pain relief. I would not ever take that plus ibuprofen.

@Jeruba I would imagine that every wildfire season takes its toll on your poor lungs, as well.

@canidmajor, it does. The past few summers have had some very rough spells.

@all, I’m feeling much better now, over the hump, and the lingering cough is mostly not terrible. Thank you for keeping me company.