Subscribe
Common cold
What are the symptoms of a cold?
The common cold, also colloquially referred to as a cold, usually starts abruptly and is primarily characterized by nasal symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. Initially, the nasal discharge is typically clear and watery, but it can thicken and even turn yellow after two to three days. Some patients may also experience coughing, dry throat, itchy throat, sore throat, fever, chills, headache, tearing, dull taste, and difficulty breathing after catching a cold. The natural course of a cold generally lasts five to seven days. It is beneficial for recovery to rest, drink plenty of water, avoid cold exposure, quit smoking, and ensure the room is well-ventilated.
How to relieve nasal congestion in babies with a cold
When infants catch a cold and have nasal congestion, it’s often because children are small and their nasal passages are relatively narrow. When there’s a respiratory infection, there is an increased secretion in the area, causing swelling of the nasal passage, and therefore, congestion. In such cases, it’s crucial to ensure that the child drinks plenty of water. Applying a warm towel to the base of the nose or using saline solution to rinse the nose can greatly alleviate the congestion. If there is a lot of mucus in the nasal passages, a nasal aspirator should be used to clear it out thoroughly. Additionally, when the child sleeps, try to keep them in a side-lying position to ease the congestion. Once the cold is completely resolved, the congestion will also be completely gone.
Do cold medicines reduce inflammation?
The anti-inflammatory drugs we usually talk about mainly refer to antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infections and can be used to treat infectious inflammation. So, do cold medicines reduce inflammation? The common cold medicines often contain antihistamine ingredients, central stimulants, nasal mucosa vasoconstrictors, antipyretic analgesics, etc., which do not contain antibiotics and do not have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, cold medicines are not anti-inflammatory drugs and do not have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and cannot be used as antibiotics.
How to self-cure a cold caused by wind-cold
In cases of cold-induced common cold, generally speaking, if there is no improvement in diet or daily lifestyle, self-healing cannot be achieved. Because in the early stages, it is first necessary to keep warm and not get chilled. Eating more warm-natured foods in the diet can effectively achieve the purpose of self-healing. However, improper diet can exacerbate the condition. For example, eating cold and cool foods, in this case, cannot achieve the purpose of self-healing. In severe cases, it is necessary to take medication in a timely manner to receive treatment.
Can you take a bath if you have a cold and a fever?
In general, the clinical symptoms of a cold and fever are such that the body temperature may rise above 37℃. Using a mercury thermometer, a temperature above 37℃ is considered a fever. The symptoms of a cold may include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and clear or cloudy nasal discharge. These symptoms are mostly associated with wind-heat or influenza, in which case it is okay to take a bath. However, the bath should be taken with warm water. Cold water is definitely not suitable, nor is overly hot water. Water at about 40℃ is suitable for bathing. When bathing, since the pores of a person with a cold and fever are open, it is essential to close doors and windows to avoid drafts.
What should I do if I have a cold and cough during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, if a cold or cough occurs and it is not severe, it is best not to take oral medications to prevent any potential impact on the baby's development. However, if a more severe cold or cough occurs during the mid or late stages of pregnancy, under the guidance of a doctor, some cough medicines with fewer side effects can be chosen for symptomatic treatment. Regularly, attention should be paid to diet; keep it light and avoid spicy and irritating foods. It is beneficial to eat more vegetables and fruits rich in protein and vitamins, as well as lean meat and eggs. Drink plenty of water and keep the air in the room circulating, which can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. Generally, a cold is a self-limiting disease and usually improves within a week.
Can a mother take cold medicine if her baby has a cold?
If the baby has a cold, it generally doesn't work for the mother to take cold medicine on behalf of the baby. This is because after the medicine is metabolized through the mother's body and secreted from the mammary glands, the dosage of the medicine is almost negligible. It cannot achieve the necessary blood concentration levels in the baby's body. Therefore, if the baby has a cold, it is essential to administer oral medication directly to the baby to achieve satisfactory treatment effects. Administering oral medication to the mother is practically meaningless.
What to eat when you have a cold?
What should I eat if I catch a cold? In terms of diet, you should choose foods rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and amino acids. Eat more celery, spinach, tomatoes, and mung bean sprouts. In terms of fruit, eat more kiwifruits, apples, mangoes, and pineapples, which are high in vitamin C and can help restore the tissue mucosa. Eat less meat and spicy foods, drink more water, rest more, and avoid staying up late. Generally, symptoms will gradually improve within three to seven days.
What are the symptoms of a stomach flu?
Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is more common during the summer and autumn seasons, usually caused by being chilled, leading to a series of symptoms. In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, there are also upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms mainly manifest as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and stools that are usually watery or mucus-like. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections include dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, limb pain, sore throat, and even coughing. Diagnosis can be confirmed through relevant examinations. General blood tests, C-reactive protein, and routine stool examinations often show no significant abnormalities, although sometimes there can be a decrease in white blood cells and an increase in the proportion of lymphocytes. Treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic management, such as antivirals, astringents to stop diarrhea, and rehydration, along with drinking plenty of boiled water.
Do you need an IV for a stomach flu?
Whether to administer intravenous fluids for a stomach flu primarily depends on the severity of the patient's condition. Stomach flu is usually caused by a respiratory virus infection, leading to symptoms predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract. Patients typically experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, without significant fever, coughing, or phlegm production. If the patient is severely nauseous and vomiting, losing a lot of body fluids, intravenous fluid therapy is necessary to avoid shock. However, if the symptoms are limited to diarrhea two to three times a day and mild abdominal pain, treatment can be managed with Chinese or Western medicine, as stomach flu is a self-limiting disease. Without medication, the condition can naturally improve within 7-10 days. Therefore, persistence through this period will generally lead to recovery.