Subscribe
Common cold
What are the symptoms of a cold in children?
Pediatric colds, also known as acute upper respiratory infections, exhibit symptoms that can be categorized into local and systemic symptoms. Local symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, mild coughing, discomfort in the throat, and sore throat. Systemic symptoms primarily consist of overall weakness, fever, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and generalized aches. In infants and toddlers, local symptoms are generally not as pronounced, while systemic symptoms tend to be more severe. For some children aged six months to three years, colds accompanied by fever can also lead to febrile convulsions. In older children, local symptoms are usually more prominent, while systemic symptoms are milder. Regarding this type of acute upper respiratory infection, there are two common specific types in children: herpangina and pharyngoconjunctival fever.
How to deal with a cold caused by deficient fire?
Deficiency fever colds are generally caused by congenital insufficiencies and bodily weakness, leading to pathogenic yin. It may also result from imbalances between yin and yang, or dysfunction of the spleen. For this type of cold, there is no need to panic, as it can be managed with traditional Chinese medicine. Colds relating to deficiency fever typically manifest with symptoms such as oral sores, dizziness, headaches, irritability, and insomnia. Effective improvement can be achieved by taking medicine that reduces deficiency heat. Alternatively, maintaining a light and simple diet can effectively help improve gastrointestinal digestion. (Medicine should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Symptoms of the common cold recur repeatedly.
If cold symptoms repeatedly occur, it is primarily considered to be due to poor bodily resistance and physical fitness. In this case, it is crucial to focus on improving dietary nutrition by consuming foods rich in vitamin C and protein, eating smaller meals more frequently, and avoiding overeating at one time. Additionally, it is important to engage in active outdoor activities, increase physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, and improve personal resistance. It is also vital not to stay up late and to ensure adequate sleep, as the body promotes self-repair during rest and sleep, which can help alleviate cold symptoms more quickly. Besides these actions, it is necessary to follow a doctor's guidance and cooperate with the doctor to take the appropriate medications to treat the symptoms. Do not stop or reduce the medication dosage on your own to avoid repeated illness and prolonged recovery.
Why can't people with polycystic kidney disease catch a cold?
Polycystic kidney disease is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. As the patient's age increases, the cysts of polycystic kidney will gradually enlarge, and the risk of renal function abnormalities and related complications will increase. If the patient catches a cold, it will exacerbate the abnormality of kidney function. Furthermore, the use of some antiviral and antibacterial drugs metabolized through the kidneys can also increase the burden on the kidneys, further causing damage to them. Therefore, patients with polycystic kidney disease should try to avoid colds, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and other related infectious diseases.
Is a cold with green nasal discharge serious?
Having a cold accompanied by green purulent nasal discharge is a common and frequent symptom in otolaryngology. The cause of these symptoms is primarily fungal sinusitis caused by a fungal infection in the patient. When these symptoms occur, it is important to first complete a paranasal sinus CT, electronic nasopharyngoscope, complete blood count, and nasal secretion culture to identify the pathogen causing the patient's illness and make a clear diagnosis. Additionally, timely use of antiviral drugs and medications that clear the throat and open the nasal passages should be administered for symptomatic treatment. For patients with sinus ostium blockage and fungal sinusitis, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is also needed to open the sinus ostium, restore normal drainage between the sinus and the nasal cavity, and thus achieve a cure for the patient's condition.
How to relieve a cold headache without medicine
Firstly, you should drink more water to promote metabolism and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to help restore bodily functions. Avoid eating spicy food such as chili peppers and reduce meat consumption. Measure body temperature, you can massage the temples, or drink more ginger sugar water, which can help relieve headaches. If the body temperature rises, you can use warm water to wipe the palms, soles of the feet, neck, and chest. At the same time, apply a cool towel or ice pack to the forehead. Once the temperature normalizes, the symptoms of cold and headache will gradually improve; there is no need to worry too much.
Is it good to run and sweat when you have a cold caused by wind-cold?
Patients with a cold caused by exposure to cold and wind are advised to rest as much as possible and avoid running and sweating, as this could lead to catching a chill and potentially worsening the cold. If you are indoors, running and sweating can be okay, but make sure not to expose yourself to drafts afterwards. It's best to sit down and rest to ease the sweating before resuming activities. If the condition is severe, medication can be taken for effective improvement. Also, avoid consuming stimulating, greasy, or cold foods in your diet; instead, drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to help effectively improve your condition.
What is the difference between a hot cold and a cool cold?
Cold from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine is classified into two types: Wind-Heat Cold and Wind-Cold Cold. A Wind-Heat Cold may present symptoms such as coughing, coughing up yellow phlegm, yellow nasal discharge, sore throat, and fever. In contrast, a Wind-Cold Cold typically manifests as clear nasal discharge, dry cough or coughing up white phlegm, along with aversion to cold, headache, muscle soreness, and possibly a mild fever. Clinically, Wind-Cold Cold and Wind-Heat Cold are distinct and should be diagnosed under the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can prescribe specific herbal treatments based on the patient’s symptoms. From a Western medicine perspective, symptomatic treatment is generally recommended. However, it is crucial to assess if the patient exhibits symptoms such as purulent phlegm, high fever, or persistently unimproved cold symptoms, which may indicate the need for a hospital visit to investigate potential bacterial infections that might require antimicrobial treatments.
Can I eat beef when I have a cold?
If you have a cold and are in the initial stage of the illness, it is best not to eat beef. However, during the recovery phase, it is appropriate to consume some beef. As beef is a warming and nourishing food rich in protein, trace elements, and other nutrients, it can fulfill the body's various nutritional needs. Eating beef can enhance one’s resistance and aid in quicker recovery from the illness. It is also recommended to eat beef in moderation and not consume too much at once, as excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and potentially burden the digestive system, causing symptoms of indigestion. It is advisable to drink appropriate amounts of water to boost metabolism and improve resistance. Additionally, during a cold, it is important to rest adequately, avoid overexertion, and maintain a light diet.
What should I do if I have a cold and vomiting in the summer?
In summer, patients may catch a cold due to carelessness, especially when the body's immune function is compromised. Colds, varying in type, also differ in accompanying clinical symptoms. For instance, summer cold patients might experience not only fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing but also nausea and vomiting, suggesting the presence of a gastrointestinal-type cold. To address this, it is crucial first to identify the vomiting symptoms accompanying the cold. A gastrointestinal cold is mostly caused by viral infections, so it is necessary to administer antiviral and heat-clearing detoxifying medications promptly for symptomatic treatment. Once the symptoms of the upper respiratory tract are effectively controlled, the vomiting will similarly subside. Of course, patients with gastrointestinal colds must hydrate promptly and consume light, easily digestible, and nutritious food.