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Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19, and it can last for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection clears. This is known as long COVID, and it can affect around 40% of COVID-19 sufferers. The muscle pain is caused by the virus triggering body-wide inflammation, and it can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication, stretching, and the RICE method. In some cases, the pain may be due to ischemic myalgia, which is muscle pain caused by a lack of blood flow to the tissues. If you suspect you have COVID-19, it is important to stay at home and avoid contact with others, and to get tested.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle pain in long Covid patients | 40% of sufferers |
| Muscle pain location | Arms, legs, neck, head, shoulders, ankles, wrists, knees, lower back |
| Possible causes | Tissue damage, blood clots, circulation issues, inflammation, lack of oxygen to the muscles, extended activation of the immune system, muscle cell damage caused by the virus |
| Treatment | Blood thinners like aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, ice, compression, elevation, gentle stretches, gentle exercise, physical therapy |
| When to seek medical help | If symptoms last for more than a few weeks, or persist beyond the fourth week since testing positive |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle pain is a common long Covid symptom
Muscle pain is a common symptom of long Covid, affecting around 40% of sufferers. It can last for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection has cleared.
The pain can be caused by several mechanisms. Dr Gumrukcu explains that "the viral infection can cause cell damage in the lungs or other organs, and it can also cause blood cells to clump and form clots that would impair the blood circulation to any organ that the clots go". This can lead to muscle pain, as the clots can reduce blood flow to the muscles. Another cause of muscle pain is the extended activation of the immune system, which can sometimes lead to autoimmune disorders. The immune system releases proteins called cytokines, which can trigger inflammation and cause muscle aches and joint pain.
In some cases, muscle pain may be the result of ischemic myalgia, which is the medical term for muscle pain caused by a lack of blood flow to the tissues. This can be treated with simple blood thinners like aspirin, and sometimes with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is caused by tissue damage, exercise to build the muscle tissues back up will be essential.
If you are experiencing muscle pain as a result of long Covid, it is important to seek medical advice. Your doctor will be able to determine the best course of treatment, which may include physical therapy or medication such as over-the-counter pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Covid-caused inflammation can lead to muscle pain
Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19. This pain can persist for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection, becoming a symptom of long COVID.
COVID-19-related muscle pain, or myalgia, can be caused by inflammation triggered by the virus. When the immune system detects the virus, it releases proteins called cytokines, which can trigger inflammation and lead to muscle and joint aches. Cytokines associated with COVID-19 include interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).
The inflammation caused by these cytokines can result in muscle pain and soreness, which may be localized or widespread. The affected areas can feel sore to the touch and are often aggravated by specific movements, such as turning the chest or stretching. This muscle pain is a common symptom, with estimates suggesting that about 86% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 experience it.
In addition to inflammation, muscle pain in long COVID can also be caused by tissue damage or blood clotting and circulation issues. These issues can be managed with simple blood thinners like aspirin and, in some cases, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If you are experiencing muscle pain due to long COVID, it is important to seek medical advice. Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen), to help relieve the pain. Additionally, physical therapy and gentle exercises can aid in reducing muscle pain and improving muscle strength and flexibility.
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Tissue damage can cause long Covid muscle pain
Muscle pain is one of the most common symptoms of long COVID. It can last for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection clears. Tissue damage is one of the mechanisms that can cause this muscle pain.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause cell damage in the lungs and other organs, and it can also cause blood cells to clump and form clots, impairing circulation. Tissue damage can also be caused by a delayed immune response to the virus, which can lead to autoimmune disorders. This can cause inflammation and pain in the muscles. Tissue damage can also be caused by a lack of blood flow to the tissues, known as ischemic myalgia, which is a common cause of muscle pain in long COVID patients.
If muscle pain is caused by tissue damage, exercise to build the muscle tissues back up is essential. This can include physical therapy and gentle stretches. However, it is important to pace yourself and not overdo it, as this can cause further crashes and exhaustion.
In addition to tissue damage, long COVID muscle pain can also be caused by the virus remaining in the body, which can cause ongoing inflammation and nerve damage. This can result in persistent pain and discomfort in the muscles and joints, even after the initial infection has cleared.
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Blood clots can cause muscle pain
The pain associated with blood clots may feel similar to a pulled muscle or a charley horse. However, the affected limb may be swollen, slightly discolored, and warm. Blood clots can cause medical emergencies, so it is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms.
Muscle pain is a common symptom of COVID-19, and it can persist for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection. The pain may be due to inflammation triggered by the body's immune response to the virus. The virus may also damage muscle tissue directly by attaching itself to muscle cells. In people with long COVID, muscle pain may be due to tissue damage, and exercise may be necessary to rebuild muscle tissue. Additionally, extended hospital stays during the infection can lead to muscle atrophy and tendon shortening, which can cause muscle pain.
There are several treatment options available for muscle pain caused by blood clots and long COVID. Blood thinners, such as aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage blood clots and circulation issues. Physical therapy and gentle exercises, such as walking and stretching, can also help relieve muscle pain and heal muscle damage. Self-care strategies such as pain relievers, the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and gentle massages may also provide relief.
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Long hospital stays can cause muscle atrophy
Muscle pain is one of the most common symptoms of long COVID. It can last for weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection. The pain is caused by inflammation, the virus attacking muscles, or a lack of oxygen reaching the muscles. In some cases, the virus may also directly damage muscle tissue by attaching itself to muscle cells.
Muscle atrophy can also occur due to malnutrition, age, genetics, lack of physical activity, or certain medical conditions. Disuse atrophy, caused by not using muscles enough, can be reversed with exercise and a healthy diet. Neurogenic atrophy, on the other hand, is due to nerve problems or diseases.
For those experiencing long COVID, muscle pain may be addressed through physical therapy, pain relievers, stretching, and the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). If the pain is due to tissue damage, building muscle tissues through exercise is essential for recovery.
It is important to note that if you are experiencing muscle pain or any other symptoms of long COVID beyond the fourth week since testing positive, seeking medical help is recommended to address the symptoms effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle pain is one of the most common symptoms of long Covid.
Muscle pain can last for weeks, months, or sometimes years after the initial infection clears.
Muscle pain can be caused by several different mechanisms. The viral infection can cause cell damage, blood clots, or circulation issues. Another cause can be the extended activation of the immune system, which can lead to autoimmune disorders.
Muscle pain can be managed with simple blood thinners like aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapy and gentle exercise can also help to build muscle tissue and reduce pain.
