What to do if you have Fever/Body Aches and COVID-19?

COVID-19 commonly causes body and muscle aches, as well as a fever. A fever occurs when your body acts to fight the infection. A fever often makes you feel tired and uncomfortable. At this time, there are no medications that cure the COVID-19 infection. However, there are things you can do to feel better.

To treat fever and body/muscle aches caused by COVID-19, focus on:

1. Get plenty of rest to help your body get the energy it needs to fight the infection.
2. Drink lots of fluids to maintain proper hydration and help replace the water lost through sweating, which often accompanies a fever.
3. Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications

• Acetaminophen
  • OTC medications can lower your fever and improve discomfort. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred medication. The adult dose of acetaminophen is 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 3250 mg in 24 hours because higher amounts may damage your liver. Many OTC combination products also contain acetaminophen.
  • Do not use additional acetaminophen for fever and body aches if you are using a combination product with acetaminophen.
  • Acetaminophen is given to children in a liquid form based on their weight. Be sure to measure liquid products with an oral syringe, not a household teaspoon, and read the medication's label to determine the correct dose.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
  • NSAIDS will help with pain and discomfort, lower your fever, and reduce inflammation. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve) are examples of NSAIDs.
  • Avoid NSAIDs if you have stomach ulcers or stomach-related bleeding or that take a blood-thinning or steroid drug to reduce the risk of stomach bleeding.
  • NSAIDS may also negatively affect how kidneys work; older adults are more likely to experience these complications.

Related questions

• Can you take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin?
• What's the best medicine for sore throat?
• Acetaminophen vs paracetamol: What do you need to know?

A pharmacist's tips

• Carefully read the drug facts label for each medication, including OTC pain relievers, to identify the ingredients in the product. This is especially important when purchasing combination cough and cold medications to avoid accidentally taking too much of a medication such as acetaminophen.
• Talk to your pharmacist or another healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medications.
• If you or a loved one is experiencing trouble breathing, pressure in your chest, or new confusion, call 911 for immediate medical attention.

See also:

Related medical questions

• What medications cause liver enzymes to be elevated?
• What temperature is considered a fever?
• Is it safe to take acetaminophen every day?
• How long does Percocet stay in your system?
• Does Mucinex help with Covid?
• Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) a blood thinner?
• Which painkiller should you use?
• Is acetaminophen (Tylenol) an NSAID Drug?
• Cold, flu, hay fever, or COVID - Which one do I have?
• Can I take Tylenol while pregnant?
• How long does it take for Tylenol to start working?
• Is acetaminophen the same as Tylenol?
• Can you take paracetamol (acetaminophen) with antibiotics?
• Can I give my dog or cat Tylenol (acetaminophen)?
• OTC Water Pills
• What do I need to know about Drug Interactions?
• Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) an anti-inflammatory drug?
• Over the Counter Medication for Pets
• How do I treat back pain without using opioids?
• How Can I Treat Muscle Strain or Pain?
• What antibiotics are used to treat bronchitis?
• How do I treat a mild case of COVID-19 at home?
• What Vaccines do I need if I'm over 50?
• Pharmacist Advice on How to Properly Dispose of Medications

Drug information

• Acetaminophen Information for Consumers
• Acetaminophen prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
• Side Effects of Acetaminophen (detailed)
• Acetaminophen user reviews (105)

Related support groups

• Acetaminophen (161 questions, 218 members)
• Muscle Pain (167 questions, 573 members)
• Fever (104 questions, 175 members)
• COVID-19 (103 questions, 90 members)
• Pain/Fever (4 questions, 7 members)

AHFS® Patient Medication Information is used with permission. ©2025, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. (ASHP). The ASHP Data is a part of the AHFS Drug Information®️; ASHP is not responsible for the accuracy of transpositions from the original context.