Health Encyclopedia

Malaise

Definition

Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.

Alternative Names

General ill feeling

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.

Causes

The following lists give examples of the diseases, conditions, and medicines that can cause malaise.

SHORT-TERM (ACUTE) INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Acute bronchitis or pneumonia
Acute viral syndrome
Infectious mononucleosis (EBV)
Influenza
Lyme disease

LONG-TERM (CHRONIC) INFECTIOUS DISEASE

AIDS
Chronic active hepatitis
Disease caused by parasites
Tuberculosis

HEART AND LUNG (CARDIOPULMONARY) DISEASE

ORGAN FAILURE

Acute or chronic kidney disease
Acute or chronic liver disease

CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE

ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC DISEASE

Adrenal gland dysfunction
Diabetes
Pituitary gland dysfunction (rare)
Thyroid disease

CANCER

Leukemia
Lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymph system)
Solid tumor cancers, such as colon cancer

BLOOD DISORDERS

Severe anemia

PSYCHIATRIC

MEDICINES

Anticonvulsant (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.

References

Leggett JE. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.

Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 201.

Simel DL. Approach to the patient: history and physical examination. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 6.

Review Date:2/2/2023
Reviewed By:Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, 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.

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