From the Guidelines
You are likely experiencing a systemic inflammatory response to viral infections, which can cause widespread symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and neck and spine inflammation. To manage these symptoms, it is recommended to try taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours with food) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) during viral infections, as suggested by general medical knowledge. Some key points to consider include:
- Staying well-hydrated, resting adequately, and applying heat to painful areas can help alleviate symptoms 1.
- A gentle anti-inflammatory diet might help reduce symptom severity, although there is limited direct evidence to support this claim in the context of viral infections.
- If these symptoms are severe or persistent, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider as this could indicate an underlying autoimmune condition or other disorder that causes exaggerated inflammatory responses to infections, such as those described in the guidelines for suspected spine infection 1 and native vertebral osteomyelitis in adults 1.
- Certain conditions like fibromyalgia or autoimmune disorders can flare up during infections, requiring specialized treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. Given the potential for underlying conditions, it is essential to prioritize caution and seek medical evaluation if symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by red flags such as fever, recent travel, or exposure to infectious diseases, as outlined in the guidelines for suspected spine infection 1 and native vertebral osteomyelitis in adults 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Symptoms and Pain
- The symptoms you are experiencing, such as excruciating abdominal pain and bloating, inflammation in your neck and spine, whenever you get a virus, may be related to the body's response to the infection 2.
- However, the provided studies do not directly address the relationship between viral infections and the specific symptoms you are experiencing.
Pain Management
- For acute pain, first-line treatment options include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 3.
- Acetaminophen is well tolerated, but lower doses should be used in patients with advanced hepatic disease, malnutrition, or severe alcohol use disorder 3.
- NSAIDs are effective but should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular disease, or chronic renal disease 3.
Gastrointestinal Safety
- Non-aspirin over-the-counter analgesics, including NSAIDs and acetaminophen, have a distinct adverse event profile, with gastrointestinal adverse events being the most common 4.
- The risk of serious gastrointestinal toxicity, including upper GI bleeding and peptic ulcers, is low at over-the-counter doses 4, 5.
- Acetaminophen may be associated with hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure, especially at doses above 4000 mg 4.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- The diagnostic accuracy of signs and symptoms for COVID-19 is highly variable, with most having low sensitivity and high specificity 2.
- Cough and fever have a pooled sensitivity of at least 50%, but specificities are moderate to low 2.
- Anosmia and ageusia have sensitivities below 50% but specificities over 90% 2.