Differences between viral colds and bacterial colds in children

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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When children have a viral cold, they have a runny nose with clear mucus, whereas bacterial colds usually do not involve a runny nose, or the discharge is purulent. In viral colds, children may have a fever but generally remain in good spirits, and their spirits return to normal after the fever subsides. In contrast, with bacterial colds, children experience fluctuating high temperatures, poor spirits after the fever subsides, and may show symptoms such as chills and cold hands and feet. Viral colds typically present more nasal discharge than throat symptoms; when the tonsils are inflamed, they appear smooth and bright red, whereas in bacterial colds, the inflamed tonsils are uneven, dull, and sometimes with visible pus spots.

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How to differentiate between Wind-Cold Common Cold and Wind-Heat Common Cold

The differences between colds caused by wind-cold and those caused by wind-heat mainly lie in the symptoms. Colds caused by wind-cold are due to the invasion of wind-cold into the body, often as a result of exposure to cold environments. Common symptoms include chills, cold limbs, dizziness, fatigue, and coughing up white phlegm. On the other hand, colds caused by wind-heat occur due to the invasion of wind-heat, which frequently happens in the summer. Clinically, they are characterized by symptoms such as dark urine, coughing up pus-filled phlegm, high fever, headaches, and sore, swollen throat. Whether it is a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat, both can lead to related discomfort in the body and need active treatment and management to prevent the condition from worsening.

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Can you drink alcohol during a cold?

During a cold, one should not drink alcohol. Patients with a cold often experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. Some may feel general body aches and weakness. Drinking alcohol can potentially worsen these clinical symptoms, especially since patients are prone to gastrointestinal disturbances during a cold, particularly those with a gastrointestinal type of cold who exhibit significant nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Continuing to drink alcohol can lead to a severe worsening of digestive symptoms, and even lead to watery diarrhea and symptoms of collapse. Some patients with a cold may experience a fever induced by drinking alcohol, which can worsen and prolong the illness. Sometimes, drinking alcohol can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, forming a bacterial type of cold and worsening the condition. Moreover, cold patients may need to take oral medication, and drinking alcohol could exacerbate the adverse reactions of these medications. Specifically, in cases of bacterial colds where cephalosporin anti-inflammatory drugs are required, drinking alcohol can cause a disulfiram-like reaction. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid alcohol during a cold.

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What to do when a cold causes a hot nose?

The common cold is an acute rhinitis caused by viral infection, with common symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion; there may also be symptoms of nasal fever. In cases where the cold is accompanied by a hot nose, one initial approach is to use medications to alleviate the symptoms, such as compound cold medicines or traditional Chinese medicines that clear heat and detoxify. Additionally, it is advisable to drink plenty of hot water, rest, avoid getting chilled, quit smoking, and ensure good ventilation in the room to aid recovery from the cold.

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What to eat when you have a cold, headache, and nasal congestion?

If you have symptoms such as headache and nasal congestion with a cold, it is recommended that in addition to taking anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications and cold medicine under the guidance of a doctor, you should also eat some foods that have the effect of expelling colds, such as appropriately boiling some brown sugar ginger juice to drink, or frying eggs with ginger and sesame oil. These dietary methods have the effect of expelling cold and stopping cough, and can also relieve symptoms of nasal congestion and headache well. If the pain is severe, you can take pain relief medication and combine it with massaging the temples to alleviate symptoms. Be sure to rest plenty, avoid overexertion, keep indoor air fresh and circulating, and also pay attention to eating more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins, enhance your immunity, and promote disease recovery.

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Which department should I go to if I have a cold during pregnancy?

When pregnant and catching a cold, one should visit the gynecology department or the respiratory department for treatment. During a cold, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and rest more. Medication during pregnancy needs to be cautious to avoid arbitrary use, especially of hormones and antiviral drugs. Medication should be decided under the guidance of a doctor, based on specific symptoms, timing of pregnancy, and related examinations. Generally, it is possible to take vitamin preparations or traditional Chinese medicine aimed at symptomatic treatment. In the mid to late stages of pregnancy, there are generally more options for choosing medications compared to the early stages, where primarily vitamin supplements are selected to help restore body functions.