When the common cold hits, it's not uncommon for you to get an unwelcome visitor—a nasty, achy feeling right in the neck and shoulders.
The common cold can be taxing enough with its sneezes and sniffles, but when it brings along its bothersome companion—neck pain—it just adds insult to injury. Join us as we explore why this happens and what you can do about it.
Can A Cold Cause Neck And Shoulder Pain?
Yes, a cold can be the culprit behind your neck and shoulder pain.
The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.
When a virus enters your body, your immune system enters combat mode. When it detects viral articles called “antigens,” your immune system produces proteins called antibodies and cytokines. These proteins are responsible for protecting your body and taking out the virus.
However, this process involves inflammation, affecting various tissues, including your muscles. Furthermore, cytokines can also directly cause pain by activating pain receptors.
This all means that this inflammatory process can cause muscle pain (myalgia) all over your body and is not limited to your neck and shoulders.
Can A Cold Cause Head And Neck Pain?
Yes, aside from neck and shoulder pain, the common cold can also cause headaches. One way colds can cause headaches is through the same inflammatory process we mentioned above.
Additional mechanisms by which colds can cause headaches include the following:
- Nasal congestion
The viruses responsible for the common cold can cause inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages. This congestion can lead to sinus pressure and headaches. The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull, and when they become blocked, pressure can build up, causing pain. - Dehydration
Cold symptoms like a runny nose and fever can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can contribute to headaches by causing the blood vessels in your brain to swell up. - Fatigue and disrupted sleep
When you have a cold, your body is working to fight off the infection. This can lead to fatigue and disrupted sleep, which are common triggers for headaches.
What Are Below The Neck Symptoms Of A Cold?
As mentioned above, the common cold is a viral upper respiratory tract infection. This means the infection is usually limited to your nose, sinuses, and throat (above the neck). Hence, the symptoms in that area are also the most common ones, including:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Sore throat
- A hoarse voice
- Mild fever
In rarer cases, though, the common cold can also lead to more severe complications affecting the lower respiratory tract (below the neck). One of those complications is pneumonia. Pneumonia usually manifests with:
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
The viruses responsible for the common cold can also cause pleurisy. Pleurisy is the inflammation of the lining of your lungs. This medical condition can cause neck and shoulder pain, especially when you cough or take a deep breath.
Are Swollen Lymph Nodes In Neck A Cold Or Flu?
Swollen lymph nodes, or lymphadenopathy, are a common symptom of both the common cold and the flu. The lymph nodes are essentially small glands, no bigger than a pea. They’re an essential part of your immune system.
The lymph nodes are responsible for filtering out antigens. They also house millions of your immune cells. Think of them as operation centers for these cells. Because of this, they usually swell up when you’re actively fighting off an infection.
Swollen glands can feel like small bumps under the skin of your neck. They can also cause neck pain and be tender to touch.
Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the difference between the common cold and the flu?” Well, they differ in the virus causing the infection. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Meanwhile, a variety of viruses can cause the common cold, with the following ones being the most prevalent:
- Rhinovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Coronavirus (Yes, they’re related to that virus)
Infection with any of these viruses can cause neck pain due to the process we outlined earlier.
How Do I Relieve Neck Pain From A Cold?
Neck pain from the common cold usually resolves once you fight off the infection. The common cold is considered a self-limited disease, meaning it resolves on its own. Because of this, supportive measures are usually enough to ease neck pain while battling the sniffles. These include:
- Rest and get a good night’s sleep
- Proper hydration (we won’t stop you from drinking fresh orange juice)
- Proper nutrition
- Warm or cold compress
While these are enough, some doctors may also prescribe medication to relieve the symptoms.
What Is The Best Medicine For A Cold And Neck Pain?
Since many viruses can possibly cause the common cold, there is no “best” medicine to treat it. However, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help relieve its symptoms, including neck pain. These include:
- Decongestants
Decongestants help unclog your stuffy nose by constricting the blood vessels of your nose and sinuses.- Anti-Histamines
These medications are typically used for allergies but can help reduce the runny nose and sneezing during the first two days of the infection.- OTC Painkillers
Acetaminophen and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can also be helpful. They serve a double purpose by relieving pain and reducing fever. Following the dosage instructions on the packaging is important to avoid any side effects.>>>
Takeaway
Catching a cold can often leave you feeling miserable, with symptoms such as headaches, fever, cough, and muscle aches. And yes, that includes neck and shoulder pain.
Despite these discomforts, you can find ways to feel better and alleviate these symptoms. These mainly include rest, proper hydration, and nutrition. However, over-the-counter medications can also help relieve symptoms.
While the common cold is usually mild, it can progress to pneumonia. If you experience symptoms like a high fever and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away.
