How many days can a cold heal by itself?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 21, 2025
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The common cold is a frequently occurring disease in clinical practice, mainly divided into the common cold and influenza. These diseases are infectious and self-healing, and generally, recovery can occur naturally within three to seven days. The primary approach is to drink plenty of water, rest adequately, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, ensure sufficient quality sleep, and choose light, soft, and easy-to-digest foods in the diet. It is advisable to measure the body temperature twice a day and not to worry excessively. Mild cases do not require the use of antibiotics.

Other Voices

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Written by Liu Wen Li
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What should a pregnant woman do if she has a cold and feels excessive internal heat?

What should pregnant women do after catching a cold and feeling excessive internal heat? Since it is inconvenient for pregnant women to take medicine, they should try to relieve the symptoms by drinking more water and urinating more. In addition to drinking plain water, pear juice can be consumed by boiling pears with some rock sugar, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of excessive internal heat. Additionally, mung bean soup with some rock sugar can also be a good beverage to reduce internal heat. If these treatments are not effective, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
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How many days will it take for the baby to recover from a cold?

Generally speaking, if a baby has a cold caused by a common viral infection and receives symptomatic treatment, the symptoms can usually be controlled within three to five days. If it is a severe cold or influenza, the symptoms can be more severe and may include repeated fever, runny nose, and sneezing, lasting longer, about seven days, or even up to ten days. If there is a bacterial infection following the cold, the duration may be even longer and would require specific analysis based on the actual situation.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Distinguishing between implantation cold and common cold

The common implantation cold is usually caused by the decrease in immunity triggered by the implantation of the fertilized egg, leading to symptoms of a cold. If a woman's immunity is normal, the frequency of catching a cold during this period is very low. The colds we often talk about can be divided into the common cold and the flu, which should be correctly recognized as having different symptoms. The common cold mainly manifests as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, tearing, and dry mouth, while the flu primarily shows as muscle soreness in the limbs, fatigue, etc.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
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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.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Can a cold cause dizziness?

Colds can cause symptoms such as dizziness, as well as possible runny nose, sneezing, dryness in the throat, foreign body sensation, sore and weak limbs, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are common clinical manifestations caused by a cold. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much if dizziness occurs during a cold. Drinking plenty of water, resting, and observing can generally help. Choosing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief medication can also alleviate the symptoms of dizziness. Eating foods rich in vitamin C, avoiding staying up late, and consuming a light, easy-to-digest diet can aid in the recovery from a cold.