When a person comes down with a common cold or flu, they are likely to experience symptoms like a runny nose, fever, and body aches. But some are surprised with the addition of lower back pain with a cold or flu.
What is Lower Back Pain with Cold and Flu?
Lower back pain isn’t a classic symptom of the cold or flu, but it can occur as a part of the overall soreness and muscle aches that these viruses trigger. Influenza (the flu) is known to cause muscle aches and pains, including pain in the back, legs, and arms.
Even the common cold can lead to generalized muscle soreness, which may extend to the lower back. While back pain isn’t directly caused by the virus attacking the spine or muscles, it’s often a side effect of the body’s reaction to the infection.
Both cold and flu are contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract. The flu tends to hit harder and faster with symptoms like fever, chills, and intense body aches, while having a cold is typically milder with symptoms like a low-grade fever, runny nose, and sneezing.
Lower back pain during a cold or flu is usually temporary. As the infection runs its course, the aches along with the back pain should fade.
Potential Causes of Lower Back Pain During Cold and Flu
When you are sick, your body’s immune response can actually heighten your sensitivity to pain. In Canada, back problems are extremely common. Around four out of five adults will experience at least one episode of back pain in their lives. This means many people already have a vulnerable spot, and the cold or flu can aggravate those underlying back issues.
Constantly coughing or sneezing while you have a cold or the flu can also put a lot of strain on your back. Those sudden, forceful coughs engage your chest and back muscles. If you’ve been hacking away for days it’s not uncommon to feel soreness in your lower back or even your ribs. Basically, the more you cough, the more your back might ache.
If you have a chronic back issue, like a herniated disk or sciatica, the inflammatory response triggered by a viral illness can make it worse. Since the cold and flu cause inflammation throughout your whole body it can make an old injury or pinched nerve in your lower back flare up.
In summary, lower back pain with a cold or flu usually comes down to your body’s inflammatory fight against the virus and the side effects of being ill. Not everyone will get back pain but it’s not unusual.
Symptoms and Warning Signs of Lower Back Pain with Cold and Flu
If you’re suffering from lower back pain because of a cold or the flu, it’s easier to look at the big picture of your symptoms.
Typical cold and flu symptoms are:
- Fever and chills
- Coughing and sore throat
- Muscle aches and fatigue
- Headache and congestion
- Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing
Most often, the back pain from a cold or flu is described as a muscle ache or stiffness in the lower back area. Sometimes people will also report upper back pain, especially with excess coughing. Generally these pains should improve with rest, warmth, or a pain reliever.
However, it’s important to look for early warning signs that the pain you’re feeling is not the average flu ache but something more concerning. Here are some red flag and what they might indicate:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing: If your back pain is more of a sharp pain in your upper back, side, or chest when taking a deep breath or coughing, it could be a signal a complication like pneumonia or pleurisy. If you find that it really hurts to breath or you’re short of breath, it’s a warning to get medical evaluation.
- Severe headache, neck stiffness, or back stiffness with fever: If you have a very stiff neck and headache along with back pain, doctors may worry about meningitis. The flu can cause a headache and even some back ache, but not usually an iron-stiff neck. The combination is rare but a critical warning sign to seek immediate care.
- One-sided severe pain in the lower back with fever: If you have intense back pain in your lower back, especially on one side and it hurts more when you gently touch or tap that side, it could be a sign of kidney issue rather than just a muscle ache.
- Radiating pain or numbness: If your lower back pain starts radiating pain down to your legs or you feel a tingling/numbness in your legs, it might be more than just a flu ache. This could mean a pinched nerve or another spinal issue triggered by coughing strain. You should monitor your symptoms and consult a doctor if it worsens.
- Persistent pain beyond the illness duration: Most cold and flu sysmtoms get better within a week or so. If your back pain does not improve as your fever and cough go away, it’s a sign to investigate further.
Mild or moderate lower back pain during a cold or flu can be considered part of the normal symptoms but sometimes they can point to something more severe. Talk to your doctor and see what steps need to be taken to ensure you get the proper care.
How Lower Back Pain is Diagnosed for Cold and Flu
When you experience lower back pain alongside cold or flu symptoms, diagnosis usually focus on two things. The first is confirming the underlying illness and then checking that the pain isn’t from a separate serious issue.
Here’s how healthcare providers typically approach it:
- Diagnosing the cold or flu: Doctors often diagnose influenza or a cold based on your symptoms and physical exam. They’ll note your fever, listen to your cough, and ask about your symptoms.
- Evaluating the back pain: The doctor will determine if your back pain is a symptom of the illness or if it’s something else. They will often ask you a series of question and will also to a physical examination.
- Additional tests: In many cases, additional tests aren’t needed. But if the doctor suspects another issue, they might order a urine test, blood test, imaging studies (chest X-ray, ultrasound, ect), or a flu or COVID-19 test.
Diagnosing the cause of lower back pain starts with confirming the infection and ruling out complications. In Onatrio, you can start with a virtual or phone consultation via a virtual care clinic like Ogaei if you’re not feeling up to an in-peron visit. The provider will asses your symptoms and guide you on next steps to feel better.
Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain with Cold and Flu
When you’re dealing with lower back pain cause by a cold or the flu or it’s important to treat both the illness and the back pain symptom. Here are some ways to do that:
- Rest and sleep: One of the best medications for cold and flu is good old rest. Your body is fighting an infection and it needs time to heal. Get plenty of sleep and avoid strenuous activity.
- Stay hyrated: Drink lot of fluids (water, herbal tea, and clear broth). Fluids help prevent dehydration from fever and congestion. This in turn eases muscle cramping.
- Over-the-counter medications: You can take medications to reduce fever and aches. Acetaminophen (Tyleno) or ibuprofen (Advil) are commonly used to lower fever and relive muscle aches. These should help relieve lower back pain. Always follow dogase instruction on the bottle.
- Antiviral medication: A doctor may prescribe you antiviral medication to treat the illness. While the medicaion is not perscibed for back pain it helps you recover faster indirectly shortening the duration of the aches.
- Warm environment: Keep yourself comfortably warm. If you have chills and body aches, staying warm will help you feel better and may prevent muscless from tightening up.
When to See a Doctor for Lower Back Pain Caused by Cold and Flu
For typical cases, you might want to see a doctor if your symptoms are not imprving after a few days or if you need a medical certifical for work due to the illness.
Remember , you know your body best. If something feels drastically different compared to the normal flu symptoms, it’s better to get it checked out by a doctor. If you are unable to physicall go see your family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic, virtual care is your best option.
Speaking with a virtual care doctor on Ogaei is very similar to seeing a doctor in-person. They will as you a series of questions and evaluate whats best for you. They can also prescribe you a sick note for work and make sure you feel the best you can.
Flu and Lower Back Pain: Common Questions and Answers
Why does my lower back hurt when I have the flu or a cold?
Your body releases inflammatory chemicals during illness that cuases muscle aches, including your lower back.
Is lower back pain a normal symptoms of the flu?
Yes, flu often causes widespread muscle pain that can include the lower back.
Can coughing from a cold or flu cause back pain?
Yes, frequent coughing can strain your back muscles and lead to soreness.
Should I worry if I have lower back pain and the flu?
Not usually, unless the pain is severe, one-sided, or comes with urinary problems or trouble breathing.
How long does back pain from the flu usually last?
It typically goes away as flu symptoms improve within a few days.
Resources
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lower-back-pain-with-cold-or-flu
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/influenza-virus-vaccine-intradermal-route-intramuscular-route/description/drg-20071452
- https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/influenza_in_children
- https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-619-m/82-619-m2006003-eng.pdf
- https://www.adrspine.com/insights/back-pain-when-coughing
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pleurisy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351863
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14600-meningitis
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15456-kidney-infection-pyelonephritis
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/flu-influenza.html
