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Why Have I Been Experiencing Achy Joints And Muscles With A Very Low Grade Fever?
Question: I have been expieriencing achy joints/muscles with a very low grade fever. This has been going on for over a week and I've been treating with Tylenol. It won't go away.
Brief Answer:
Testing might be necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
since the most common infections last less than a week, if you haven't seen any improvement in your symptoms or fever then clinical examination and testing might help to get to a diagnosis. Useful clues include any "localized" symptom. For example achy joints is vague. Aching right elbow is a more specific symptom. Other symptoms like headache, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, chest pain, abdominal pain, urgency to urinate, flank pain, etc are useful symptoms that may help to find the involved part of the body.
If there are no guiding symptoms then lab tests may help. A urinalysis, a complete blood count, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein might provide more clues. A complete biochemical panel is always useful. When the ESR and CRP are low and there are no significant findings in the complete blood count we usually monitor the patient and may refrain from treatment. If these indices are way out of the normal range of values then a more "aggressive" approach might be employed.
In most cases the fever will wear off by itself without any treatment but testing is advised. You can use Tylenol until you do so. Tylenol will help with the aching joints but it won't treat the actual disorder.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
If you've already done some tests, please upload the test reports to discuss about them.
Regards!
Testing might be necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
since the most common infections last less than a week, if you haven't seen any improvement in your symptoms or fever then clinical examination and testing might help to get to a diagnosis. Useful clues include any "localized" symptom. For example achy joints is vague. Aching right elbow is a more specific symptom. Other symptoms like headache, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, chest pain, abdominal pain, urgency to urinate, flank pain, etc are useful symptoms that may help to find the involved part of the body.
If there are no guiding symptoms then lab tests may help. A urinalysis, a complete blood count, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein might provide more clues. A complete biochemical panel is always useful. When the ESR and CRP are low and there are no significant findings in the complete blood count we usually monitor the patient and may refrain from treatment. If these indices are way out of the normal range of values then a more "aggressive" approach might be employed.
In most cases the fever will wear off by itself without any treatment but testing is advised. You can use Tylenol until you do so. Tylenol will help with the aching joints but it won't treat the actual disorder.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
If you've already done some tests, please upload the test reports to discuss about them.
Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Am doing much better. Not totally gone but symptoms subsiding. Had blood work done and all looked good. Must be a virus of some kind. Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad you're doing better!
Best wishes for a fast recovery!
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad you're doing better!
Best wishes for a fast recovery!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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