Why does flu make body ache?

Ah, the flu. That dreaded virus that makes you feel like a sack of potatoes. Every time it creeps up on us, we wonder why does flu make our body ache? After all, not every sick day is accompanied by muscle pain and joint soreness. Well folks, today we’re going to dive into the world of viral infections to uncover what causes these darn aches.

Let’s Talk About Inflammation

When your body experiences an infection such as influenza (the flu), your immune system kicks into high gear mode to combat the intruder. Now normally, inflammation occurs in response to injury or wound healing needed by releasing white blood cells (WBCs). These WBCs fight off foreign invaders that enter through injured skin or tissues with reactions such as warmth at site; swelling ;and redness of affected area.

Think about your immune system as an army fighting against invaders. When they detect something fishy in your bloodstream – for instance when they see additional viral particles around- part of their reaction includes production/activation/increase pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines(e.g interleukin) which cause the targeted areaof invasion become painful/sore, those amorphous molecules travel from one cell to another amplifying message along its path till effectors are produced .

Inflammatory responses activate other leukocytes including macrophages which secrete substances causing local vasodilation (widening opening of vessels); producing heat(and more inflammation); increase fluid leakage into tissue interstitium( third space outside vein carrying lymph drain systems near extravascular spaces) thus leadingto edemaor “swelling” seen during conditions like cellulitis.

  1. Inflammation Is Not All Bad
    -It helps fight off infections
    -Removes debris caused due injury
    2.However,
    -Inflammation may cause pain
    -It can also amplify cytokine response, exacerbating flu symptoms

Oh boy. This is why you experience swelling and redness often with infections: your immune response inflames the specific sites of interest making it sore to touch or move around in related areas.

Damaged Cells

But wait, there’s more! Another reason for body aches during a viral infection like the dreaded flu is… drum roll please …cell death (apoptosis). Every day our cells die naturally as they age or suffer injury; nearby arer new cells formed automatically replacing old ones; however,replacing newer cell takes time , meanwhile if any external agent interrupts this cycle it causes communication breakdown . First step in body’s final coping mechanism against infective agents which invades cells’ communications network by triggering enzymes that detect certain strain-specific molecules which then activate cellular suicide sequences whereby host undergoes process of self-termination through breaking down DNA strands so infected host do not replicate virus particles.Enzymes catalyze degradation cutting them into smaller pieces called nucleotides releases free radical oxygen/nitrogen elements whose reactions contribute muscle soreness felt all over your system

  1. Poor Cell Communication Is Darn Inconvenient
    -Viruses interrupt normal cell pathways to communicate
    -This leads to activation of ‘suicide sequences’ when used up available resources (like amino acids) gets depleted.

2.The Ugly Side Of Apoptosis During Flu season:
-Damaged/dead cells increase inflammation responses thus causing tissue damage
– Tissue damage within muscles and joints creates discomfort

But Why Are My Joints Aching?

Now we’re getting to the real question –why specifically are my joints hurting like a bear!?- Wouldn’t It be better if one could spread out all its wonderful pain evenly throughout other parts? The thing is, joint aches are actually pretty common during flu illness. Unfortunately, it’s again one of those complications related to the inflammation (Oh Inflammation! What wouldn’t we do without you?).

If there is major cell death due to activation of immune responses can cause swelling in multiple areas often localized at joints(like knees- which absorb all our weight when walking or duing physical activity);because bones and cartilage in formuation contain several sensory systemswhich help with proprioception –essentially allowing us feel where the limbs are located with respect to each other.Therefore,o they have an abundance of pain receptors around them just waiting for inflammation molecules/proteins(hello cytokines!)to set em’ off.

1.Fire up The Joint Pain Receptors
-Inflammatory mediators attract fluids fluctuating pressure inside/around ligaments near enclosed networks called bursae which function like shock observers around these sensitive locations against Wear & Tear effect

2.It’s Those Pesky Cytokines Again
-Cytokines release themselves not only into bloodstream but can act on organs now under direct attack( hello liver,hanna kick out some collagen baby !;) )

Muscle Aches Are Common Too!

From your shoulders down to your toes and everything in between, muscle ache is another symptom that makes having the flu so darn uncomfortable. Also known as myalgia,two reasons why this happens -you guessed it-inflammation AND apoptosis. However,there’s still more:

1.Walking Muscles Meet Apoptosis
-Muscle pains arise because over 600 skeletal voluntary muscles present all over body necessary for movement-making a significant occur apoptosis;
this occurs within their own organic cellular components-the mitochondria/powerhouse responsible for energy production.

2.Inflammation Yet Again 
     -Within inflamed tissue,it triggers nerves surrounding affected by increased stimulation thresholds,e.g lowest touch stimuli leads to soreness.

Who Knew The Flu Could Hurt So Much?

Overall, it’s the combination of inflammation, apoptosis, and heightened sensitivity that makes your body feel like a battleground when you’re down with flu. Hopefully now you’ll have an idea of why you might be aching all over during this season’s viral wave.

But before we wrap up here are some other reasons our little virus causes havoc in our bodies:

1.Fever- This heats up body temperature causing muscles nearby tissues warm up “fever” means ( rise above normal range or core temp)is due immune responding to attack.

2.Fluid Loss: If not replenished with important electrolytes such as potassium,sodium after attack on body dehousekeeping & fluid storage units(e.g kidneys) which contribute towards making us fluish -> Brain stimulation through production fatiguing hormone called adrenocorticotropic factor( ACTH from anterior pituitary gland)

Well Well, isn’t the flu quite the party pooper? Thanks for joining in on reading today’sarticle anyways!

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