[18M] Experiencing extreme fatigue, body aches, and back pain

Patient Description

An 18-year-old male reports feeling extremely tired, with a desire to sleep continuously for the past 4 days. The patient describes a heavy feeling in the body without any specific activities exacerbating the fatigue. Additionally, the patient has a loss of appetite and feels sick when considering eating. Generalized body aches are present, described as an overall heaviness, and there is a dull pain in the mid-back with a severity of 4 out of 10. A mild headache and a slightly elevated temperature of 99 F have also been noted. The patient has been taking Ibuprofen every 8 hours at a dose of 150mg and a multivitamin. There is a history of asthma diagnosed at age 6, but no other significant medical history, known drug allergies, or adverse reactions to medications.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, there are several possibilities for your symptoms:

Viral Infection: Your symptoms of fatigue, body aches, mild headache, and slightly elevated temperature are common in many viral infections. This could include the common cold, flu, or other viral illnesses.
- Treatment often involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.
Mononucleosis: Also known as "mono" or the "kissing disease," this is a viral infection often seen in teenagers and young adults. It can cause extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and body aches.
- Treatment involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.
Depression: While often thought of as a mental health condition, depression can also have physical symptoms including fatigue, loss of appetite, and body aches.
- Treatment often involves a combination of medication and therapy.

What you can do

Rest and hydrate: Regardless of the cause, rest and hydration are key to recovery. Try to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of fluids.
Over-the-counter medication: Over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen can help manage your symptoms. However, it's important not to exceed the recommended dosage.
Seek medical attention: If your symptoms persist or worsen, it's important to seek medical attention. A healthcare provider can provide a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What you should look out for

If your symptoms worsen or you develop new symptoms, such as a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, shortness of breath, or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.
If your symptoms persist for more than a week or two, it's important to seek medical attention. This could indicate a more serious condition that needs treatment.

Remember, while I strive to provide accurate and helpful information, I'm not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare provider.

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11 mo ago

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