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

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

The influenza vaccination, also known as a flu shot, can also produce nausea with body aches in certain individuals. The nausea or body aches associated with the shot generally last for approximately 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 symptoms of nausea with body aches. Typically, an allergic reaction to a food can cause stomach upset with symptoms of nausea and diarrhea. Most commonly, food allergies causing these symptoms are eggs, milk and other diary products.

Cases of food poisoning can cause symptoms of nausea, along with body aches, as well. Occasionally, fever and vomiting may also be present. Food poisoning can occur when bacteria has contaminated food which the victim has consumed. Although there are several types of food poisoning, most frequently seen are strains of salmonella and Escherichia coli, commonly referred to as E. coli bacteria. In food poisoning cases, body aches are generally symptoms caused by fever, or the immune system's defensive reaction to an invading substance.

A more serious disease which 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 at the onset.

Alcohol and nausea are often associated, although body aches may be rare. Alcohol poisoning may cause nausea with body aches, however. In the most extreme state, alcohol poisoning may cause unconsciousness or even death if not treated early on.

There are sexually transmitted diseases which can cause symptoms of 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 cause symptoms of nausea with body aches, later developing into a full-blown case of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS can cause a variable host of symptoms known to shut down the immune system, in turn causing serious or even life-threatening complications.