Muscle aches and pains are a very common occurrence and can be associated with other symptoms such as swelling and redness. In some instances, pain that seems to be associated with muscles actually occurs because of injury or dysfunction in a nearby structure, such as joints, ligaments, fascia and tendons. Most cases of muscle ache and redness are not serious and can be treated with conservative measures, including ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rest and compression. If pain and redness do not resolve within a few days, a doctor should be consulted.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a term that literally means "joint inflammation" and there are several different types that cause pain with other symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that comes and goes in flare-ups. This disease causes inflammation of the synovial lining of joints, which leads to pain, redness and swelling. Eventually rheumatoid arthritis can cause disfiguration and destruction of the joints. According to "Arthritis Today," a magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain in multiple joints that is symmetric between one side of the body and the other, fatigue, muscle aches, weight loss, and stiffness. Treatment revolves around management of the symptoms.
Immunization
An immunization is a process where the body's natural immune system is activated by the injection of a small dose of some disease agent. The body will then recognize this agent as foreign and develop antibodies in an effort to fight it and kill it. This provides immunity to this substance in the future. Many diseases have been greatly reduced or even eradicated by widespread immunization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, any immunization can cause side effects and may include muscle aches that can limit movement, redness, headache, fever and fatigue. These effects are generally mild and resolve on their own within a short period of time.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness that is caused by a bacterium that is transferred to humans through the bite of a deer tick. Lyme disease can affect various parts of the body and can range in seriousness. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease usually manifests itself first with a red bump at the site of the tick bite, which grows into a bull's-eye rash. This redness that surrounds a white ring is a hallmark sign of Lyme disease. Other symptoms may include muscle aches, chills, fatigue, neurological problems and even heart problems. Lyme disease can usually be treated effectively in the early stages with antibiotics.
Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple areas of the body, including the joints, skin and kidneys, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of lupus include joint pain and swelling, redness or rash, fatigue, sensitivity to sunlight, muscle ache, kidney failure and stroke.
