A cold is a common respiratory illness with symptoms such as sore throat, cough, runny nose and fever. However, sometimes colds are accompanied by symptoms of muscle aches all over the body, causing discomfort and pain to the patient.
So, what are the factors associated with body aches and pains after a cold? This article will look at the immune system's response, viral infection, and inflammatory response**.
First of all, body muscle aches after a cold are associated with a response from the immune system. Colds are caused by a viral infection, and when the virus invades the body, the immune system immediately activates defense mechanisms. The immune system activates the inflammatory response by releasing cytokines to fight the viral invasion.
These cytokines include tumor necrosis factor, interleukin, etc., which cause a systemic inflammatory response, leading to a feeling of muscle soreness. In addition, the immune system releases substances called prostaglandins, which increase the sensitivity of nerve endings, making muscles more susceptible to pain.
Secondly, body aches and pains after a cold are associated with a viral infection. Cold viruses are mainly spread through airborne droplets, and when the virus invades the body, it infects the cells of the upper respiratory tract, multiplies and releases more of the virus.
This process leads to the damage and death of cells, releasing some intracellular substances such as lactic acid and cytochrome C. These substances irritate nerve endings, causing a feeling of muscle soreness. In addition, viral infections can cause an immune system response that further exacerbates the level of muscle soreness.
Finally, muscle soreness throughout the body after a cold is associated with an inflammatory response. After a cold virus infection, the immune system releases some inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin.
These inflammatory mediators cause vasodilation and increased permeability, leading to congestion and edema of local tissues. This inflammatory response stimulates nerve endings, causing a feeling of muscle soreness. In addition, the inflammatory response can also cause the temperature of local tissues to rise, further exacerbating the degree of muscle soreness.
In summary, muscle soreness throughout the body after a cold is closely related to factors such as immune system response, viral infection, and inflammatory response.
The immune system's response causes an inflammatory response throughout the body, leading to a feeling of muscle soreness. Viral infections cause cell damage and death, releasing irritants that further cause muscle soreness.