Diarrhea and a sore throat at the same time usually means one infection is affecting more than one part of your body. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as norovirus, rotavirus, or an enterovirus, that irritates both your digestive tract and your throat. Sometimes the two symptoms are unrelated and simply happen together by chance. But when they appear within a day or two of each other, a shared cause is more likely.
Why Do I Have Diarrhea And A Sore Throat?
Your gut and your throat are lined with similar tissue. Both are covered in mucous membranes, the moist inner lining that viruses and bacteria can attach to. When a germ enters your body, it can settle in more than one of these linings and cause symptoms in each place.
Many viruses spread by the fecal-oral route. That means tiny amounts of contaminated stool get onto your hands, then into your mouth. The same virus can then irritate your throat as it passes through and your intestines once it arrives. This is why a single infection can produce both a sore throat and diarrhea.
It is also possible to have two separate infections at once. A cold virus could cause your sore throat while something you ate causes your diarrhea. Timing helps tell the difference. When symptoms start together or within a day or two, one shared cause is more likely. When they start days apart, two separate problems are more likely.
What Infections Cause Both Symptoms?
Several common infections are known to cause diarrhea and a sore throat together. The list below covers the ones most often seen in adults.
- Norovirus — a very common cause of vomiting and diarrhea. Sore throat is less typical but can occur.
- Rotavirus — most common in young children, though adults can get it too. It causes diarrhea and sometimes throat irritation.
- Adenovirus — some strains cause respiratory symptoms like sore throat, while others cause diarrhea. Some cause both.
- Enteroviruses — a large family that includes viruses causing sore throat, fever, and sometimes stomach symptoms.
- Influenza — the flu mainly affects the airways, but diarrhea can occur, especially in children.
- COVID-19 — some people report sore throat and diarrhea together, along with other symptoms.
- Bacterial infections — certain foodborne bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shigella cause diarrhea. Some also cause fever and throat irritation.
This is not a complete list. Many germs can cause overlapping symptoms. A doctor may not be able to name the exact germ without testing, and often testing is not needed because the illness passes on its own.
Is It A Stomach Bug Or Something Else?
A “stomach bug” is not really a bug in your stomach. Most viral infections that cause diarrhea act in your small intestine and colon, not your stomach. The term is a catch-all for viral gastroenteritis, which means inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Viral gastroenteritis is the most likely cause when diarrhea and a sore throat appear together with nausea, low fever, and body aches. It usually improves within a few days. Bacterial infections tend to cause more severe diarrhea, higher fever, and sometimes blood in the stool. Food poisoning can look similar to both.
One clue that people often miss is how the sore throat feels. A throat irritated by a virus passing through tends to be mild and scratchy. A throat with streaks of white patches, severe pain, or swollen tonsils points more toward a specific throat infection like strep. Strep throat does not cause diarrhea, so if you have both, strep alone is unlikely to explain it.
How Long Should This Last?
Most viral infections that cause diarrhea and a sore throat improve within a few days. Diarrhea often settles first. A sore throat may linger a little longer, especially if it is part of a respiratory infection.
Timelines vary by cause. Norovirus typically causes symptoms for one to three days. Rotavirus can last three to eight days. Adenovirus and enterovirus infections may run a week or more. Bacterial infections can last longer without treatment.
Watch for signs that something more serious is going on. Seek medical care if you have:
- Blood or black material in your stool
- A fever above 102°F (39°C)
- Signs of dehydration — dry mouth, little urine, dizziness on standing
- Severe abdominal pain that does not ease
- Symptoms that last more than a week
These signs do not confirm a specific diagnosis. They simply mean a doctor should evaluate you.
What Helps You Feel Better?
The main job during a bout of diarrhea and a sore throat is to stay hydrated. Diarrhea removes water and electrolytes from your body. A sore throat makes it painful to swallow, which can make drinking harder. That combination raises the risk of dehydration.
Oral rehydration solutions are the standard for replacing lost fluids and salts. These are sold at most pharmacies. Sports drinks are not the same and contain more sugar and less sodium than rehydration solutions. If you cannot get a rehydration solution, water plus a light salty food can help.
For a sore throat, warm liquids such as broth or tea with honey can soothe irritation. Honey is not recommended for infants under one year because of the risk of infant botulism. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease throat pain and fever. Follow the label directions. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
Avoid anti-diarrheal medications if you have a fever or bloody stool. In those cases, slowing the gut can make a bacterial infection worse. For mild viral diarrhea without fever or blood, some people use them for short-term relief.
When Should You See A Doctor?
Most cases do not need medical care. Your body clears the infection on its own. But some situations call for a doctor’s visit.
See a doctor if you have signs of dehydration, a high fever, blood in your stool, or symptoms that are not improving after several days. Also see a doctor if you have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or are caring for an infant or young child with these symptoms. Young children and older adults lose fluids faster and can become dehydrated more quickly.
There is no single test that identifies the cause from symptoms alone. A doctor may ask about what you ate, who around you is sick, and when symptoms started. Sometimes a stool sample or throat swab is used. Often, no testing is needed.
Can You Prevent It?
Handwashing is the single most effective step. Many of the viruses that cause these symptoms spread through tiny amounts of contaminated stool on hands and surfaces. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds removes them. Hand sanitizer works for some germs but not all, and it is less effective against norovirus.
Other steps that help:
- Wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food
- Clean surfaces and handle food safely
- Avoid sharing utensils, cups, or towels with someone who is sick
- Stay home while you have active diarrhea to avoid spreading it
Vaccines exist for rotavirus and are given to infants in the United States. There is no vaccine for norovirus. For most other causes, prevention comes down to hygiene and avoiding contaminated food and water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a stomach virus cause a sore throat?
Yes. Some viruses that cause diarrhea also irritate the throat as they pass through. Norovirus and adenovirus are common examples.
Is diarrhea and a sore throat a sign of COVID-19?
It can be. Some people with COVID-19 report a sore throat and diarrhea along with other symptoms. Testing is the only way to know for sure.
How long do diarrhea and a sore throat usually last?
Most viral cases improve within a few days, though a sore throat can linger longer. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a week.
When should I worry about diarrhea and a sore throat?
Worry if you see blood in your stool, have a fever above 102°F, or show signs of dehydration. These warrant a doctor’s visit.
