Differential Diagnosis for Body Ache
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral infection (e.g., influenza, upper respiratory tract infection): This is often the most common cause of body aches, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Musculoskeletal strain or injury: Overuse or trauma to muscles and joints can lead to body aches.
- Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and tender points.
- Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can cause muscle aches, fatigue, and joint pain.
- Anemia: A decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin can lead to fatigue, weakness, and body aches.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Lyme disease: A bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, which can cause body aches, fever, and a characteristic rash.
- Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can cause severe body aches, fever, and stiff neck.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition caused by a severe infection, which can lead to body aches, fever, and organ dysfunction.
- Multiple myeloma: A type of blood cancer that can cause bone pain, fatigue, and weakness.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Polymyalgia rheumatica: An inflammatory condition that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips.
- Polymyositis: An inflammatory muscle disease that can cause muscle weakness and pain.
- Sarcoidosis: A condition that causes inflammation in various parts of the body, including the muscles and joints.
- Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome: A rare condition characterized by muscle pain, weakness, and elevated eosinophil counts.