What causes muscle aches in cold-type common cold, and how to treat it?

Dec 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, muscle aches associated with a cold due to wind and cold may be caused by factors such as lactic acid buildup, invasion of cold pathogens, viral myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia syndrome. Appropriate measures can be selected based on the specific situation to improve symptoms. Daily routines should include regular physical exercise to strengthen the body, and clothing should be adjusted promptly according to weather changes. Avoid strenuous exercise after catching a cold.

Generally, muscle aches associated with a cold due to wind and cold are often caused by lactic acid buildup, invasion of cold pathogens, viral myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia syndrome. Appropriate measures can be taken based on specific circumstances. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Lactic Acid Buildup

During a cold, the body's metabolism accelerates. Insufficient energy supply leads to enhanced anaerobic respiration, resulting in lactic acid accumulation and subsequent muscle soreness. Drinking plenty of warm water helps promote metabolism, adequate rest should be ensured, and gentle stretching exercises may be performed appropriately.

2. Invasion of Cold Pathogens

Cold and wind pathogens invade the body, obstructing the flow of qi and blood in the meridians, leading to poor nourishment of muscles and causing aching pain. It is important to promptly add clothing for warmth, drink ginger tea, and soak feet in hot water to improve blood circulation.

3. Viral Myositis

Viral infection invades muscle tissue, triggering inflammation that causes muscle swelling and pain, often accompanied by fatigue. Under medical guidance, medications such as ribavirin granules, acyclovir tablets, or sustained-release paracetamol tablets may be taken. Avoid excessive physical exertion.

4. Rheumatoid Arthritis

A cold induced by wind and cold may activate rheumatic factors, exacerbating inflammation in joints and surrounding muscles, leading to pain and stiffness. As prescribed by a physician, medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets, ibuprofen capsules, or sodium diclofenac sustained-release tablets may be used. Pay attention to keeping joints warm.

5. Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Infection-related stress may trigger an episode of this condition, causing widespread muscle tenderness and pain throughout the body, often accompanied by sleep disturbances. Under medical supervision, medications such as pregabalin capsules, duloxetine enteric-coated tablets, or milnacipran tablets may be used, along with psychological counseling to relieve stress.

In daily life, regular physical exercise should be encouraged to strengthen overall health, and clothing should be adjusted promptly according to weather changes. Avoid strenuous exercise during a cold, and maintain a light, balanced, and nutritious diet. If muscle pain persists for more than one week or worsens, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.

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What is the self-recovery process for a cold caused by wind-cold?

The self-recovery from a cold caused by wind-cold invasion is a process in which the body's vital energy (zheng qi) resists the cold pathogen. This process can be divided into several stages: initial stage with exterior constraint by cold, peak stage with struggle between vital energy and pathogen, relief stage with symptom alleviation, recovery stage with resurgence of vital energy, and healing stage with restoration of normal bodily functions. During the self-healing process of wind-cold感冒, it is important to observe certain precautions—ensuring adequate rest, drinking plenty of warm water, maintaining warmth, and avoiding re-exposure to cold to prevent worsening of the condition.

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What is the difference between wind-heat感冒 and wind-cold感冒?

Due to different pathogenic factors, wind-heat感冒 and wind-cold感冒 show clear differences in symptoms. The main distinctions include etiology and pathogenesis, manifestations of fever and aversion to cold, respiratory symptoms, accompanying symptoms, tongue coating, and pulse characteristics. Differentiation between the two types requires comprehensive assessment based on overall symptom presentation to avoid misdiagnosis based on a single symptom. Treatment must be targeted according to the specific pattern, carried out strictly under medical guidance, to ensure safety and effectiveness.

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What medicine is good for wind-cold type of common cold?

Wind-cold感冒 is mostly caused by external contraction of wind and cold. Commonly used treatments include Ganmao Qingre Granules, Zheng Chaihu Yin Granules, Fenghan Ganmao Granules, Tongxuan Lipul Pills, and Jingfang Granules. Their core functions are dispersing wind and cold and clearing exterior heat. These medications are suitable for the early stage of wind-cold感冒, characterized by symptoms such as headache, fever, aversion to cold, body aches, nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge, cough, and dry throat.

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What are the symptoms of a cold and fever caused by wind-cold?

Wind-cold type of common cold is generally characterized by mild fever, obvious chills and aversion to cold, nasal congestion with clear runny nose, body aches, fatigue, and cough with thin, white sputum. Mild fever: The fever caused by wind-cold感冒 typically does not result in high body temperature. It mostly falls within the range of low-grade or moderate fever, with a relatively gradual increase in body temperature, and sudden high fever is uncommon.