Common cold


Can I eat persimmons when I have a cold with a stuffy nose?
The common cold is a very common upper respiratory infection, with many and complex factors causing upper respiratory infections in clinical practice. Therefore, patients often present with symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, itchy throat, and cough. For patients experiencing severe nasal congestion, it is permissible to eat persimmons. Persimmons have a high nutritional value, containing a large amount of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B that the body needs. They also contain other trace elements. Therefore, it is suitable for cold patients with nasal congestion to eat persimmons. Additionally, patients can also appropriately consume other fruits like apples, pears, loquats, and water chestnuts.


What fruit to eat when having a cold and headache?
For cold-related headaches, it's advisable to consume more fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C. These can help boost metabolism, replenish energy, and aid in the repair of tissue membranes. Common fruits include apples, oranges, grapes, pears, bananas, cucumbers, bitter gourd, and dragon fruit, all of which can be consumed. For headaches, local massages can be effective, and other physical therapies such as acupuncture and cupping may also help alleviate cold-induced headaches. If fever symptoms are present, physical methods or medication should be used to reduce the fever.


What fruits can you eat with a stomach cold?
Gastrointestinal cold is a common type of cold, generally caused by a viral invasion of the respiratory tract leading to an upper respiratory tract infection. Clinically, patients with this type of infection exhibit symptoms not only of upper respiratory tract infections but also gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. As viruses invade the body and affect the gastrointestinal tract, these clinical symptoms occur. For patients with gastrointestinal colds, it is generally recommended to consume fresh vegetables and fruits, which can help in recovery. Patients with gastrointestinal colds can consume bananas, apples, and pears. However, for patients with prominent symptoms of nausea and vomiting, it is advisable to warm the fruits slightly or prepare mashed apples or bananas, as this could be more beneficial.


What should I do if someone with liver failure catches a cold?
Patients with liver failure are prone to catching colds due to their weakened immune systems. Additionally, when patients with liver failure catch a cold, the fever and overall inflammatory response can lead to further deterioration of liver function. Cold treatment for such patients should be timely. Cold medications, including fever reducers and other drugs, are metabolized through the liver, and thus can have significant effects on it. Therefore, if patients with liver failure exhibit symptoms of a cold, they must seek medical attention promptly and manage their condition under the guidance of a professional doctor, avoiding self-medication or enduring without treatment.


What to do if you catch a cold?
You should drink more water and rest more when you have a cold, and avoid staying up late. At the same time, adjust your attitude and properly understand the disease of the common cold; there is no need for too much mental or emotional pressure. You can measure your temperature twice a day and drink more ginger brown sugar water. Meanwhile, take chlorpheniramine maleate tablets to relieve symptoms such as runny nose and nasal congestion. If your temperature rises above 38°C, you can take medications like acetaminophen to reduce fever. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)


Which part should be massaged for a cold caused by wind-heat?
Patients with wind-heat cold, which often occur in summer, can recover slowly through traditional Chinese medicine massage without the use of medications. Many acupuncture points can be massaged for a cold, commonly including the temples, Dazhui point, and Hegu point. Massaging the temples can relieve nasal congestion and headaches caused by the cold. Massaging the Dazhui point can strengthen the body, boost immunity, and alleviate fever and headaches. Additionally, massaging the Hegu point, located at the Hegu acupoint, can relieve nasal congestion and runny nose caused by the cold. If the cold is severe, it is advisable to seek treatment at a hospital.


Does taking a bath help with a cold caused by excessive internal heat?
Taking a bath after catching a cold, especially with cold water, is not effective and is generally not recommended as it can exacerbate the illness. It is advisable to use warm water if bathing is necessary, and not to bathe daily as this can also worsen the condition. It is best to treat a cold by taking medication, and dietary practices should avoid stimulating, greasy, and spicy foods. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and frequent urination are recommended for effective relief. Additionally, it is important to ensure adequate rest and avoid staying up late.


How to get better from a cold quickly?
First, it is important to correctly understand the common cold. The common cold itself is caused by a decrease in body immunity, infection by rhinoviruses, pharyngoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza, or parainfluenza viruses, leading to symptoms of respiratory infection. The principle of treatment is to choose symptomatic medicinal treatment, combined with antiviral drugs, and causative treatment. In terms of diet, attention should be paid to avoiding overly greasy, stimulating, and spicy foods, drinking plenty of hot water, measuring body temperature twice daily, and consuming foods like kiwifruit, celery, and spinach to help with metabolism.


Is a cold with fever easily contagious?
Cold and fever, will it be contagious? It is important to identify the cause in such cases. If it is caused by bacteria or other microbial infections, it generally has no contagiousness. However, if the cold is due to an influenza virus infection, there is a certain level of contagiousness. Therefore, it is not possible to generalize whether colds and fevers are easily contagious. It is advised that everyone should go to the hospital for a check-up to determine the cause of the cold and then treat it accordingly. If the cold is caused by a virus or the influenza virus, it is contagious. If it is caused by some bacteria or other microbial infection, it is not contagious. It is also advised that everyone should follow the doctor's guidance and take the corresponding anti-infection medication for treatment and to relieve symptoms. Eat light meals, drink plenty of water, promote excretion, and enhance resistance.


The difference between having excessive internal heat and having a cold
When "excessive internal heat" occurs, it generally leads to physical weakness and can also cause pain, such as sore throat, oral pain, stomachache, etc. The symptoms of a cold mainly manifest as coughing, excessive phlegm, nasal congestion, runny nose, and an itchy throat. Therefore, effective differentiation can be made by comparing these symptoms. Regardless of whether it is "excessive internal heat" or a cold, it is important to manage the condition early to effectively prevent the illness from worsening. Drinking more plain water can also provide some relief.