Malaise

Alternative names:

general ill feeling

Home care:

Consult your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if:

• malaise is accompanied by other symptoms indicating a significant illness.
• malaise persists longer than one week, with or without other symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting malaise in detail may include:

• How long has it lasted?
• Has it lasted for weeks or months?
• Has it been one persistent attack or are there multiple separate occurrences (episodic)?
• How long does each separate occurrence last (for how many hours)?
• Did malaise develop within 4 to 6 hours after exposure to something that the person is allergic to (an antigen)?
• What other symptoms are also present?

If signs or symptoms of a significant illness are present, testing may be required to confirm the diagnosis. This may include various blood tests, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to malaise, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.