Sore Throat And Nausea: What These Symptoms Might Mean

Written by

Jessica Guht

Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be accessible to everyone and strives to write content that every single person can understand. When Jessica isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading a book with a dog cuddled in her lap. Jessica has a Masters of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

Suffering from a sore throat and nausea is a frustrating experience and can really interrupt your day. It’s extremely common for people to have these symptoms when they’re unwell, but it could indicate a number of ailments.

If you’re concerned about your sore throat and nausea, then we’re here to help you understand what might be causing it, and help you treat it. By the end of this article, you should have more clarity about this uncomfortable symptom.

Table of Contents

• Sore Throat And Nausea Possible Causes
• Sore Throat And Nausea Risk Factors
• Home Remedies
• Natural Remedies
• Medical Treatment
• How Can DrHouse Help You?

Sore Throat And Nausea Possible Causes

Most of the time, viruses like the flu can cause throat irritation and an upset stomach. These viral infections will likely resolve themselves after a while, but you should consult a medical professional if you’re experiencing them for a prolonged amount of time.

Some examples of viruses that might cause a sore throat and nausea include:

• Common cold
• Croup
• Chickenpox
• Flu, or influenza
• Measles
• Mononucleosis, or mono
• Pertussis, or whooping cough

A sore throat and nausea can also be a symptom of a bacterial infection. These infections vary, but it’s possible that you could be suffering from group A streptococcus, also known as strep throat.

Sore Throat And Nausea Risk Factors

Anyone can get a sore throat and experience nausea, however, there are certain risk factors that make you more susceptible:

• Time of year – Some infections are more common during the winter and fall period.
• Irritants – Cigarette smoke, pollution, and cleaning products are just some of the irritants that might cause a sore throat and nausea.
• Age – Children and their developing immune systems can be more susceptible to certain kinds of infections, such as strep throat.
• Personal hygiene – Infrequent bathing and hand washing can increase the risk of infection.
• Vocal strain – Those who use their voice loudly and often can strain their vocal cords, causing them to experience a sore throat.
• Environment – Spaces with large groups of people can increase the spread of infection.

Home Remedies

A virus can usually be treated at home, so long as you haven’t had the symptoms for a while and the infection isn’t severe. Try these remedies at home before you speak with your doctor and see if any work for you:

• Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of fluids will keep you hydrated and your throat moist. Avoid beverages that might dehydrate, such as coffee or alcohol.
• Get some rest – You might be able to sleep off the virus. Rest your body and your voice to try and alleviate the symptoms.
• Create a humid environment – Use a cool-air humidifier to moisten the dry air. Dry air can irritate a sore throat so this should help as long as your humidifier is clean and free of any mold or dust. It can also help to spend some time in a steamy bathroom with the shower on.
• Gargle salt water – Make a solution that is one-quarter of table salt and 4 ounces of warm water. Gargle the salt water solution and then spit it out. Do not swallow it because doing so will dehydrate you and upset your stomach.
• Try certain foods and drinks – Cool treats and warm drinks might help to ease your irritated throat. Try things like popsicles or caffeine-free tea.
• Sit upright – By sitting upright, or with your head propped up, gravity will work to keep your stomach contents down, so it may relieve your nausea.

Natural Remedies

There is limited evidence for which unconventional remedies are effective, despite the fact that they are frequently used to ease sore throats and nausea. Do not rely solely on alternative remedies if you or your child needs antibiotics for a bacterial infection.

Before using any herbal medicines, consult your doctor since they may interfere with prescription medications, and may be unsafe for children, pregnant or nursing women, and people with certain medical conditions.

Natural or alternative products for nausea and sore throats are frequently sold in spray, tea, or lozenge form. Common alternative treatments include:

• Ginger
• Marshmallow root
• Slippery elm
• Peppermint
• Fennel powder
• Licorice root
• Cinnamon
• Lemon

You can also try acupuncture or acupressure to help relieve your nausea. Doing so stimulates nerve fibers which transmit signals to your brain and spinal cord and can help when you feel nauseous.

Medical Treatment

An infection brought on by a virus normally lasts 5 to 7 days and does not require medical attention. Most people use acetaminophen or other mild painkillers to reduce their discomfort.

Consider giving your child over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen (FeverAll, Children’s Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Children’s Motrin, Children’s Advil) if they are experiencing these symptoms to help them feel better.

How Can DrHouse Help You?

DrHouse is here to help you take the best possible care of yourself or your loved ones. DrHouse offers on-demand online doctor visits and consultations, so you can get the care you need from the comfort of your own home.

Our qualified doctors are available around the clock to provide diagnosis and treatment for a variety of conditions, including sore throat and nausea. With DrHouse, you don’t have to waste time in long waiting rooms or pay expensive medical bills – you can see a clinician within minutes and get the care you need.

With our telehealth services, you can get a diagnosis, and treatment plan and even get medication delivered to your doorstep.

So don’t wait, get the care you need today with DrHouse to start feeling better.

Final Thoughts

Generally speaking, a sore throat and nausea is nothing to worry about. You can try some of the listed home remedies and natural alternatives to help relieve your symptoms, or consult with a medical expert to get clarity and peace of mind.

Sources:

• Sore Throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sore-throat.html
• Sore throat. NHS. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/ 
• Everything You Should Know About Nausea. Healthline. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/nausea