What should you eat when you have a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

Updated on April 06, 2025

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For the disease of the common cold, one should primarily consume light foods and eat more foods rich in vitamin C such as apples, bananas, kiwis, dragon fruits, and mangoes. Medically, one should choose antipyretic analgesics, which can help alleviate symptoms like headache and sore limbs. If symptoms include a runny nose and sneezing, one may take Chlorpheniramine Maleate to suppress gland secretion. Concurrently, using Qingkailing granules or antiviral oral solutions can provide antiviral targeted treatment.

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Written by An Yong Peng

Pulmonology

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Can I eat shrimp with a cold?

It is appropriate for cold sufferers to eat shrimp in moderation. For those with a cold, it is important to maintain a light diet and eat some fruits, avoiding spicy and greasy foods. However, they can consume protein-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, shrimp, and eggs. Additionally, cold sufferers should avoid alcohol, coffee, and strong tea. These dietary adjustments may help the patient's condition to recover on its own. However, it is important to note that although colds often have self-limiting characteristics, when symptoms are severe, it may be necessary to use cold medicines to alleviate symptoms. It is also important to be aware that a minority of patients may experience complications, so if cold symptoms persist, it is necessary to visit a hospital to avoid delaying treatment.

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Written by Li Xue Qing

Gastroenterology

38sec

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Symptoms of a stomach cold

The symptoms of gastroenteritis primarily manifest in two areas: symptoms of an upper respiratory infection and gastrointestinal symptoms. The symptoms of an upper respiratory infection mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, and fever. The main symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract are vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Furthermore, when vomiting and diarrhea are severe, it can lead to body dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, potentially causing symptoms of shock. This might present as general weakness, sweating, irregular heart rate, among other symptoms.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

38sec

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How does a cold spread?

The common cold is a very common clinical disease, caused by a viral infection that is somewhat contagious. So, how is the common cold transmitted? On one hand, it can spread through the respiratory tract; for example, cold sufferers through sneezing, coughing, and other methods can produce droplets containing the cold virus. When these droplets are inhaled by healthy individuals, they can become infected. Additionally, if everyday items are contaminated by the cold virus, other people can come into contact with the virus by touching these items. If they do not wash their hands afterwards, they can also become infected with the cold virus through contact.

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Written by Feng Hai Tao

Pediatrics

1min 24sec

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Is it helpful for a baby to take a bath when they have a cold?

Whether a baby should take a bath during a cold depends on the baby's specific condition. First, if the baby has a mild cold, fever, or similar symptoms with a body temperature below 38.5 degrees Celsius, the baby can certainly take a bath. Bathing can promote blood circulation, accelerate the excretion of germs, and also help to reduce the fever. Second, if the baby has a high fever that does not subside, a body temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius, and shows symptoms like poor spirit, poor appetite, reduced urination, and drowsiness, it is generally not advisable to bathe the baby. Bathing at this time can consume some of the baby's energy, leading to a risk of oxygen deficiency and increased drowsiness. Furthermore, if the bath water is too hot, the high-temperature environment is not conducive to heat dissipation and may worsen the condition. Also, during the bath, excessive sweating can lead to exhaustion. When the fever is high, the capillaries are dilated; bathing at this time may cause the capillaries to constrict, which is not conducive to heat dissipation. Therefore, deciding whether a baby should take a bath during a cold should depend on the baby's specific condition.

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Written by Li Xue Qing

Gastroenterology

40sec

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What are the symptoms of a stomach cold?

Gastrointestinal flu primarily manifests symptoms of both the common cold and the gastrointestinal tract, predominantly with gastrointestinal symptoms, accompanied by symptoms of a cold, such as fever, headache, dizziness, and general body aches. The gastrointestinal symptoms mainly include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to significant loss of electrolytes and water in the body, causing shock and electrolyte imbalances. This may present as shock, sweating all over the body, profuse sweating, pale complexion, and arrhythmias, among others.