How to reduce fever when having a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on February 17, 2025
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For treating fever from a cold, clinical practices include several physical cooling methods to alleviate fever symptoms. The simplest method involves using a cool towel or ice pack to compress the forehead. Other methods include wiping the palms, soles of the feet, chest, inner thighs, and inner arms with warm water or alcohol. Soaking feet in Sichuan peppercorn water or drinking more ginger sugar water can also help in physically reducing fever. Additionally, using fever-reducing patches and increasing water intake can promote metabolism.

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Written by Liao Bin
Pulmonology
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Can you drink alcohol when you have a cold?

You should not drink alcohol when you have a cold. Drinking alcohol during a cold often exacerbates the clinical symptoms of the cold, worsening the condition, and may even increase complications in some patients. Cold sufferers often experience marked upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, and some may also feel generally unwell. Drinking alcohol can exacerbate these respiratory symptoms and sometimes lead to bacterial infections due to lowered immune defenses, resulting in acute suppurative tonsillitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other conditions. Moreover, drinking alcohol when you have a cold can trigger gastrointestinal disturbances, especially in patients with gastrointestinal-type colds, noticeably worsening symptoms such as nausea, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. In cases of severe colds, where patients take oral cold medications, drinking alcohol can increase the adverse reactions of these medications, causing significant discomfort. Some bacterial colds require antibiotic treatment, especially oral cephalosporin antibiotics, where drinking alcohol may induce a disulfiram-like reaction; therefore, it is prohibited for cold sufferers to drink alcohol.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
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What should a pregnant woman do if she has a slight cold?

When pregnant women catch a mild cold, it is generally not recommended to take medicine for treatment. This is because some medications can have adverse effects on the growth and development of the fetus. It is advised in daily life to drink more warm water, as this can promote metabolism and eliminate some toxins from the body. It is also important to ensure sufficient sleep, avoid intense activities, maintain a pleasant mood, and fulfill the nutritional requirements of the body. It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and keep the diet light, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods. Also, avoid overly greasy and salty foods, and do not overwork or stay up late in daily life.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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How to reduce a fever for children with a cold

If a child with a cold and fever has a body temperature not exceeding 38℃, you can use warm water to wipe the child's armpits, abdomen, and groin to physically reduce the fever. Additionally, you can apply fever-reducing patches to the child and ensure timely hydration. Since children with fever can easily become dehydrated, it is important to replenish their fluids promptly, provide vitamins, and ensure they eat fresh vegetables and fruits. If the child's body temperature exceeds 38℃, it is necessary to administer fever-reducing medication timely. If the child shows signs of poor mental state or recurrent fever, it is crucial to bring the child to the hospital for a complete blood count to further diagnose and treat the condition.

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Written by Liu Yong
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
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Symptoms of cold and fever in children

Child colds indicate an upper respiratory infection, mostly caused by viral infections, with some triggering bacterial infections. It is very common for children with colds to have fevers. In such cases, it is important to ensure the child is well-hydrated. If the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen suspension should be administered. Additionally, cold medications can be taken to alleviate symptoms. When the temperature is below 38.5°C, drinking plenty of fluids is usually sufficient. In essence, the main treatment for a cold is symptomatic relief. Symptoms like fever, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are all common with colds. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)