BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMalaiseGeneral ill feelingMalaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being. Considerations Malaise is a symptom that can occur with almost any health condition. It may start slowly or quickly, depending on the type of disease.Fatigue (feeling tired) occurs with malaise in many diseases. You can have a feeling of not having enough energy to do your usual activities.FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The following lists give examples of the diseases, conditions, and medicines that can cause malaise.SHORT-TERM (ACUTE) INFECTIOUS DISEASEAcute bronchitis or pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Acute viral syndrome COVID-19 COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infectious mononucleosis (EBV) Infectious mononucleosisMononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Influenza InfluenzaThe flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to pe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lyme diseaseLyme diseaseLyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of one of several types of ticks.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LONG-TERM (CHRONIC) INFECTIOUS DISEASEAIDS AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic active hepatitis HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Disease caused by parasites TuberculosisTuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HEART AND LUNG (CARDIOPULMONARY) DISEASECongestive heart failure Congestive heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ORGAN FAILUREAcute or chronic kidney disease Acute or chronic liver diseaseLiver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASERheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sarcoidosis SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC DISEASEAdrenal gland dysfunction Adrenal glandThe adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pituitary gland dysfunction (rare) Thyroid disease CANCERLeukemia LeukemiaLeukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymph system) Lymph systemThe lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream. The l...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Solid tumor cancers, such as colon cancerColon cancerColorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). It is also sometimes simply called colon ca...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BLOOD DISORDERSSevere anemiaAnemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PSYCHIATRICDepression DepressionDepression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while. Major depression is a mood disorder. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DysthymiaDysthymiaPersistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a chronic (ongoing) type of depression in which a person's moods are regularly low. Persistent depressive dis...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MEDICINESAnticonvulsant (antiseizure) medicines Antihistamines Beta blockers (medicines used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure) Psychiatric medicines Treatments involving several medicines Home Care Contact your health care provider right away if you have severe malaise. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if:You have other symptoms with the malaise Malaise lasts longer than one week, with or without other symptoms What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions such as:How long has this feeling lasted (weeks or months)? What other symptoms do you have? Is the malaise constant or episodic (comes and goes)? Can you complete your daily activities? If not, what limits you? Have you traveled recently? What medicines are you taking? What are your other medical problems? Do you use alcohol or other drugs? You may have tests to confirm the diagnosis if your provider thinks the problem may be due to an illness. These may include blood tests, x-rays, or other diagnostic tests.Your provider will recommend treatment if needed based on your exam and tests. Open ReferencesReferencesMelia MT. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 259.Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 219.Simel DL. History and physical examination. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 6.AllVideoImagesTogBronchitis - illustration Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi, the main air passages to the lungs. It often results from a respiratory infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue.BronchitisillustrationBronchitis - illustration Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi, the main air passages to the lungs. It often results from a respiratory infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue.BronchitisillustrationRelated Information Endocrine glands(Special Topic)Fatigue(Symptoms) Review Date: 1/1/2025 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
MalaiseGeneral ill feelingMalaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being. Considerations Malaise is a symptom that can occur with almost any health condition. It may start slowly or quickly, depending on the type of disease.Fatigue (feeling tired) occurs with malaise in many diseases. You can have a feeling of not having enough energy to do your usual activities.FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The following lists give examples of the diseases, conditions, and medicines that can cause malaise.SHORT-TERM (ACUTE) INFECTIOUS DISEASEAcute bronchitis or pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Acute viral syndrome COVID-19 COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infectious mononucleosis (EBV) Infectious mononucleosisMononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Influenza InfluenzaThe flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to pe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lyme diseaseLyme diseaseLyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of one of several types of ticks.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LONG-TERM (CHRONIC) INFECTIOUS DISEASEAIDS AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic active hepatitis HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Disease caused by parasites TuberculosisTuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HEART AND LUNG (CARDIOPULMONARY) DISEASECongestive heart failure Congestive heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ORGAN FAILUREAcute or chronic kidney disease Acute or chronic liver diseaseLiver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASERheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sarcoidosis SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC DISEASEAdrenal gland dysfunction Adrenal glandThe adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pituitary gland dysfunction (rare) Thyroid disease CANCERLeukemia LeukemiaLeukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymph system) Lymph systemThe lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream. The l...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Solid tumor cancers, such as colon cancerColon cancerColorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). It is also sometimes simply called colon ca...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BLOOD DISORDERSSevere anemiaAnemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PSYCHIATRICDepression DepressionDepression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while. Major depression is a mood disorder. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DysthymiaDysthymiaPersistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a chronic (ongoing) type of depression in which a person's moods are regularly low. Persistent depressive dis...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MEDICINESAnticonvulsant (antiseizure) medicines Antihistamines Beta blockers (medicines used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure) Psychiatric medicines Treatments involving several medicines Home Care Contact your health care provider right away if you have severe malaise. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if:You have other symptoms with the malaise Malaise lasts longer than one week, with or without other symptoms What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions such as:How long has this feeling lasted (weeks or months)? What other symptoms do you have? Is the malaise constant or episodic (comes and goes)? Can you complete your daily activities? If not, what limits you? Have you traveled recently? What medicines are you taking? What are your other medical problems? Do you use alcohol or other drugs? You may have tests to confirm the diagnosis if your provider thinks the problem may be due to an illness. These may include blood tests, x-rays, or other diagnostic tests.Your provider will recommend treatment if needed based on your exam and tests. Open ReferencesReferencesMelia MT. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 259.Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 219.Simel DL. History and physical examination. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 6.
