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What are the Most Common Causes of Nausea with Body Aches?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

Nausea and body aches are symptoms typically associated with some type of viral infection. Most commonly, they are caused by a gastrointestinal viral infection. Many other infections caused by viruses and bacteria, such as chicken pox or strep throat, can produce the same symptoms.

Influenza, which is an upper respiratory infection characterized primarily by fever and respiratory symptoms, can also produce nausea and body aches in certain individuals. This disease is typically most common in the winter months. It is highly contagious airborne virus and is easily spread in a home or other crowded establishments.

The combination of nausea and body aches is most commonly caused by a gastrointestinal infection.
The combination of nausea and body aches is most commonly caused by a gastrointestinal infection.

The influenza vaccination, also known as a flu shot, can also produce nausea with body aches in certain individuals. The symptoms associated with the shot generally last for about 24 to 48 hours. These effects are generally mild in most people and affect only a small percentage of individuals who are inoculated.

In some cases, food allergies can produce nausea and body aches. Typically, an allergic reaction to a food can cause stomach upset with symptoms of nausea and diarrhea. Most commonly, a reaction to eggs or dairy products leads to such symptoms.

Chicken pox may cause a person to experience nausea and body aches.
Chicken pox may cause a person to experience nausea and body aches.

Food poisoning can also cause nausea and other digestive upset, along with body aches. Occasionally, fever and vomiting may also occur. Food poisoning typically happens when bacteria has contaminated food that the victim has consumed. Although there are several types, most cases are caused by strains of Salmonella or E. coli. Body aches are generally caused by fever, the immune system's defensive reaction to the invading bacteria.

Influenza, or the flu, may cause nausea and body aches, as can the flu vaccine.
Influenza, or the flu, may cause nausea and body aches, as can the flu vaccine.

A more serious disease that can cause nausea and body aches is the inflammation and infection of the brain known as meningitis. This infection occurs primarily within the lining of the brain, although a variation of the disease, known as spinal meningitis, affects the spinal column. Meningitis can be caused by a viral or bacteria infection and often appears suddenly, with no prior illness or warning. It can be life threatening if not treated quickly.

Alcohol use can also cause nausea. When a person drinks too much and gets alcohol poisoning, body aches may occur as well. In the most extreme state, it can cause unconsciousness or even death if not treated early on.

A serious source of nausea and body aches is meningitis, or the swelling and infection of the brain.
A serious source of nausea and body aches is meningitis, or the swelling and infection of the brain.

There are sexually transmitted diseases that can cause both nausea and body aches, including genital herpes and gonorrhea. Hepatitis A, which can be transmitted through intimate contact, can cause bouts of nausea with body aches as well. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can also cause these symptoms. If it develops into AIDS, the illness can cause a variable host of symptoms known to shut down the immune system, causing serious or even life-threatening complications.

Discussion Comments

kylee07drg

I had the flu as a teenager. I had nausea, a headache, fever, and body aches for a week.

I think it's strange how the flu affects people differently. Some people get a sore throat or a cough that goes down into their chests, while others vomit for days.

I would have rather had the cough than the vomiting. I couldn't keep anything down, not even water or medicine.

I ached all over. It was a chore just to go to the toilet to vomit. I felt weaker than I have ever felt in my life.

healthy4life

I get hot flashes with nausea in the moments before I vomit. Suddenly, the heat is more than I can bear, and I have to hold a cold, damp cloth to my skin.

This happened to me when I had food poisoning. I had eaten at a seafood restaurant a couple of hours before, and I regretted it deeply that night.

My intestines started cramping, too. My abdomen ached, and I wound up with diarrhea and vomiting.

orangey03

Every woman I know has told me that pregnancy causes nausea and body aches. The nausea results in morning sickness often, and the body aches are just something you have to deal with for nine months!

lighth0se33

@donbri5 – I experienced dizziness, nausea, and muscle cramps after getting dehydrated. I had been gardening on a hot day, and I didn't have any water with me.

I was too intent on getting everything done to go inside for a glass of water. I sweat so much that after a few hours, I suddenly became very lightheaded and nauseated. My legs began to cramp severely, and I had to lie down on the grass.

Luckily, someone else was home and saw me on the ground. My friend brought me water and helped me into the house.

donbri5

I have also been told that nausea and body aches can be a symptom of dehydration. I was feeling that way and spoke to my ND. After she and I spoke about some recent activities I was doing and a check up, she told me to increase my water intake. Basically, to carry a water bottle with me and refill it when it is empty. I could not believe the difference after twenty four hours of being hydrated. I felt so much better. I always keep my water bottle with me now!

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    • The combination of nausea and body aches is most commonly caused by a gastrointestinal infection.
      By: Ljupco Smokovski
      The combination of nausea and body aches is most commonly caused by a gastrointestinal infection.
    • Chicken pox may cause a person to experience nausea and body aches.
      By: Dan Race
      Chicken pox may cause a person to experience nausea and body aches.
    • Influenza, or the flu, may cause nausea and body aches, as can the flu vaccine.
      By: Alexander Raths
      Influenza, or the flu, may cause nausea and body aches, as can the flu vaccine.
    • A serious source of nausea and body aches is meningitis, or the swelling and infection of the brain.
      By: beerkoff
      A serious source of nausea and body aches is meningitis, or the swelling and infection of the brain.
    • Salmonella, a common cause of food poisoning, can cause nausea and body aches.
      By: Lyuba Bunakova
      Salmonella, a common cause of food poisoning, can cause nausea and body aches.
    • Alcohol poisoning may cause body aches.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Alcohol poisoning may cause body aches.
    • Both nausea and body aches might be symptoms of a migraine.
      By: gpointstudio
      Both nausea and body aches might be symptoms of a migraine.
    • Food allergies can sometimes produce nausea and body aches.
      By: bruno135_406
      Food allergies can sometimes produce nausea and body aches.
    • Nausea is a sensation that generally occurs before an individual vomits.
      By: pathdoc
      Nausea is a sensation that generally occurs before an individual vomits.