I had the flu five weeks ago and still have achy joints and muscles. Is this typical of the viruses this winter?

Yes, severe colds and flu can give rise to a multitude of symptoms, including aching muscles and joints. As you say, certain viruses are more prone to this and we have seen reports of certain strains of viruses ‘doing the rounds’ which have a greater tendency to cause muscle and joint aches.

The basic treatment for these infections which we would recommend is still the use of Echinacea drops or tablets. However, if aches are a prominent feature, you might wish to consider the use of the herb known as Devil’s Claw.

Dr. Jen Tan