What illness makes you hurt all over? Understanding the causes of widespread pain

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of adults in the U.S. have fibromyalgia, a common chronic pain condition that can cause widespread discomfort. When asking, what illness makes you hurt all over?, it is important to realize the answer can be multifaceted, involving a range of conditions that affect the body's pain processing.

Quick Summary

Widespread pain and body aches can result from a variety of medical conditions, including chronic disorders like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, and acute viral infections like the flu or COVID-19. Other factors like vitamin deficiencies, stress, and poor sleep can also contribute to general bodily discomfort.

Key Points

Fibromyalgia: This chronic pain syndrome causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive issues like 'fibro fog'.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis cause systemic inflammation, leading to joint and muscle aches throughout the body.
Viral Infections: Acute illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and mono can trigger an immune response that results in temporary, all-over body aches.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): This disorder involves profound fatigue alongside chronic widespread pain that does not improve with rest.
Mental Health and Stress: Chronic stress and anxiety can cause physical muscle tension and alter pain processing, leading to general body aches and soreness.
When to See a Doctor: Persistent, severe, or unexplained widespread pain, especially accompanied by other systemic symptoms like fever or extreme fatigue, warrants a medical consultation for proper diagnosis.

Common Chronic Conditions Causing Widespread Pain

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that primarily causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, often described as a dull, constant ache that lasts for at least three months. This pain is considered widespread when it occurs in multiple regions of the body. In addition to pain, common symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues often referred to as “fibro fog”. Researchers believe fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the brain and spinal cord process pain signals, essentially turning up the 'volume' on pain. Though the exact cause is unknown, it can be triggered by a physical trauma, infection, or significant psychological stress.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

Also known as ME/CFS, this is a complex disorder characterized by profound, debilitating fatigue that is not improved by rest and may worsen with physical or mental activity. A large portion of people with ME/CFS also experience chronic widespread pain that often overlaps with fibromyalgia symptoms. Other symptoms include sleep problems, headaches, and difficulty with concentration and memory.

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Lupus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. This attack leads to widespread inflammation, which can cause significant joint and muscle pain. Other lupus symptoms include skin rashes, fatigue, fever, and organ involvement. The chronic inflammation caused by lupus is a primary driver of the all-over body aches experienced by many patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects the lining of the joints, causing painful swelling, stiffness, and potentially joint damage. While it typically affects specific joints symmetrically, the inflammatory process is systemic and can lead to general malaise, fatigue, and all-over muscle aching, especially during a flare-up.

Myositis

This is a group of rare autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation in the muscles. This inflammation can cause severe muscle aches and weakness that can feel widespread. It may occur on its own or alongside other autoimmune conditions like lupus.

Infectious Diseases

Viral Infections

Many viral infections cause widespread body aches as a common symptom. The aches are the result of the body's immune response as it fights the infection. Examples of viral infections that frequently cause body aches include:

Influenza (Flu): A well-known cause of fever, chills, and full-body myalgia.
COVID-19: Muscle and body aches are frequently reported symptoms.
Mononucleosis: Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, mono can lead to severe fatigue and body aches.
Lyme Disease: A bacterial infection transmitted by ticks that can cause body aches, joint pain, and flu-like symptoms, especially if untreated.

Other Infections

Sepsis: A life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme response to an infection. It can cause severe body pain, fever, chills, and confusion, requiring immediate medical attention.

Other Contributing Factors and Conditions

Stress and Anxiety

Psychological stress and anxiety can manifest physically, causing muscle tension and inflammation that lead to widespread body aches and discomfort. The body's 'fight or flight' response releases stress hormones that cause muscles to tense, and when this response is chronic, it can lead to persistent pain. Stress can also lower the pain threshold, making individuals more sensitive to painful stimuli.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Nutrient deficiencies can play a role in musculoskeletal pain. A lack of certain vitamins, particularly Vitamin D and B12, can contribute to widespread muscle pain and weakness.

Poor Sleep and Dehydration

Lack of restorative sleep can increase sensitivity to pain and reduce the body's ability to repair itself, which can exacerbate existing pain symptoms. Dehydration can also cause muscle cramps and aches throughout the body.

Comparing Conditions That Cause All-Over Pain


Feature	Fibromyalgia	Autoimmune Diseases (e.g., Lupus, RA)	Viral Infections	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Symptom Duration	Chronic (typically >3 months)	Often chronic, with flares and remissions	Acute (often resolves with infection)	Chronic (typically >6 months)
Inflammation	No obvious tissue inflammation	Significant systemic inflammation	Acute, immune-driven inflammation	No obvious tissue inflammation
Key Symptoms	Widespread pain, fatigue, sleep issues, 'fibro fog'	Joint swelling and pain, fatigue, possible organ involvement	Fever, chills, fatigue, sore throat	Debilitating fatigue, widespread pain, post-exertional malaise
Diagnostic Tests	Clinical diagnosis based on symptoms; tests to rule out others	Blood tests (e.g., autoantibodies), imaging	Blood tests, symptom history	Clinical diagnosis, exclusion of other causes
Response to Rest	Minimal improvement with rest; may worsen	Can provide temporary relief during flares	Typically resolves with rest and recovery	No improvement with rest; may worsen with exertion

When to Seek Medical Attention

Determining the specific cause of widespread pain requires a medical professional. You should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following:

Persistent Pain: Pain that lasts for several weeks or more without improvement.
Severe Pain: Pain that disrupts your daily activities, sleep, or quality of life.
Unexplained Symptoms: Widespread pain with no obvious cause, such as an injury or vigorous exercise.
Additional Symptoms: Pain accompanied by systemic signs like persistent fever, extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or rashes.
New or Worsening Symptoms: A change in the nature or intensity of existing pain.

Conclusion: Seeking an Accurate Diagnosis

In conclusion, the question of what illness makes you hurt all over? does not have a single answer, as the symptom can arise from numerous conditions. While acute causes like viral infections resolve on their own, chronic issues like fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, and CFS require accurate diagnosis and ongoing management. MedlinePlus offers more on fibromyalgia, a condition often at the forefront of this discussion due to its pervasive, chronic nature. A proper medical evaluation is essential to rule out serious conditions and create an effective treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic conditions that makes you hurt all over, characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Viral infections like the flu are common acute causes.

Yes, chronic stress and anxiety can lead to persistent muscle tension and inflammation throughout the body. These psychological factors can also heighten your sensitivity to pain, making you feel more sore and achy.

You should see a doctor if your widespread pain is persistent, severe, unexplained, or accompanied by other symptoms like fever, extreme fatigue, or swelling. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause.

Not necessarily. While it can be a symptom of a serious condition, it can also result from less severe issues like viral infections, lack of sleep, dehydration, or a vitamin deficiency. However, persistent pain warrants medical investigation.

Fibromyalgia is thought to affect how your brain and nerves process pain signals, essentially amplifying them. This leads to a lower pain threshold and widespread pain throughout the body, often described as a constant, dull ache.

Yes, a deficiency in certain vitamins, particularly Vitamin D and B12, can contribute to widespread muscle pain and general body aches. A doctor can run tests to check for deficiencies.

Body aches from the flu are typically acute, resolving as the infection clears. They are often accompanied by fever and other flu symptoms. A chronic illness like fibromyalgia or CFS involves pain that is persistent over many months or years, often accompanied by chronic fatigue and sleep problems.