Published on: 9/30/2024
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt When I Have a Fever?
It is not uncommon for the lower back to hurt during a fever due to the body’s inflammatory response to infection and sometimes due to infection in the back itself.
Explanation
Low back pain with fever happens as a result of two main reasons:
Immune response of the body
When the body is fighting infections such as bacteria and viruses, it is in a state of inflammation. The inflammatory response leads to a release of substances in the body that causes fever, chills, headache, joint pains and muscle aches. The muscles that support the spine and hips are some of the largest in the body so naturally these muscles will often ache the most.
Symptoms of the infection itself
Sometimes pain in the back with fever can be due to an infection in the back itself. Several structures, like the muscles, joints of the spine, and discs between the spinal bones can actually become infected themselves. Additionally, urinary tract infections or kidney infections can lead to back pain and fever.
(References)
Medappil N, Adiga P. A 31-year-old female with fever and back pain. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2011 Jul;4(3):385-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-2700.83869. PMID: 21887031; PMCID: PMC3162710.
Cameron CR, Burgess CD. Recurrent back pain and fevers. Med J Aust. 2007 Feb 19;186(4):208-9. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb00864.x. PMID: 17309425.
Bernheim HA, Block LH, Atkins E. Fever: pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and purpose. Ann Intern Med. 1979 Aug;91(2):261-70. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-91-2-261. PMID: 223485.
Broom M. Physiology of fever. Paediatr Nurs. 2007 Jul;19(6):40-4. doi: 10.7748/paed.19.6.40.s32. PMID: 17694895.
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Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center
Kenji Taylor, MD
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