Why does illness cause soreness in muscles throughout the body?

Muscle aches throughout the body during illness are related to factors such as lactic acid buildup, inflammatory stimulation, and medications.

1. Lactic Acid Buildup

After catching a cold, fever is common, which can cause muscles to switch to anaerobic respiration. This process produces large amounts of lactic acid that accumulate in the body, leading to generalized muscle soreness.

2. Inflammatory Stimulation

Following infection by various pathogens, inflammation often occurs within the body. This inflammation stimulates tissues and organs throughout the body and increases pain-inducing substances such as hydrogen ions. These substances circulate via the bloodstream to various parts of the body, including muscles and bones, easily causing pain or soreness.

3. Medication-Related Factors

Medications are commonly used during illness, and some drugs may produce side effects that affect appetite, leading to malnutrition, which in turn can contribute to the aforementioned symptoms.

In addition to the above reasons, metabolic enzymes in the body may lose activity during illness, resulting in increased accumulation of metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid, which can also lead to soreness in muscles and joints.