What are the Most Common Causes of Sore Throat and Nausea?

Viruses and bacteria lead the list of factors that commonly cause sore throat and nausea. Environmental allergens, disease, and medication can also make a person nauseated and give him or her a sore throat either together or separately. Patients undergoing cancer treatments often complain that chemotherapy can induce sore throat and nausea, while radiation for cancer generally produces nausea. These symptoms typically last between 24 hours and three days.

A sore throat can emerge at the onslaught of a common cold virus as a raw, achy sensation in the lining of the throat, most noticeable during swallowing. Severe cases can make it difficult to swallow and frequently occur with phlegm. In addition to the common cold, croup, flu, and mononucleosis are other specific viruses most often responsible for sore throats. Viruses that cause the childhood diseases of chickenpox and measles can also produce raw and achy throats.

In 10 percent to 50 percent of bacteria-based sore throat and nausea cases, streptococcus bacteria appears to be the blame, followed by the arcanobacterium haemolyticum bacteria, known for causing rash. Other specific bacterial causes include tonsillitis and diphtheria. These airborne bacteria, along with the previously identified airborne viruses, easily spread from one sick person to another by invading the surrounding air as a result of sneezes and coughing fits by the afflicted person. Then, the contagions are inhaled into the respiratory system. Touching mucous and germs on shared towels, door handles, and eating utensils can also transmit the microbes that cause sore throats.

For nausea, which is the condition of having an unsettled stomach that attempts to eject its contents, pneumonia and bronchitis are the leading bacterial and viral causes. Often, gastritis, caused by E.coli bacteria, salmonella and listeria in food or water, is the culprit for nausea. Inflammation of the stomach lining, formally called gastritis, can also occur from stomach flu.

Diseases like pancreatis, hepatitis and cancer frequently induce nausea. Often, cancer tumors lining the stomach are not detected until the nauseous patient begins vomiting regularly and then goes to the doctor for explanation and diagnosis. Mundane triggers like bad smell, unpleasant food, and worry can also lead to nausea; so too can morning sickness and pregnancy.

When sore throat and nausea conditions last more than 72 hours, victims generally elect to see a physician. Anti-nausea prescription drugs like promethazine or droperidol are often prescribed. In the case of a sore throat, it is common for doctors to perform strep tests and prescribe antibiotics or penicillin.