Which department should I visit for a cold and cough?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 09, 2025
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For symptoms of cold and cough, it is necessary to visit the general internal medicine department of the hospital. If further examination and treatment are needed, the specialized department for this is respiratory medicine. The majority of these symptoms are due to swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat area, such as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, but it is also possible that they are caused by bronchitis or bronchopneumonia, etc. It is necessary to perform tests including a complete blood count, C-reactive protein, mycoplasma, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a chest X-ray. Diagnosis should be made in conjunction with clinical symptoms. During the acute phase, it is necessary to choose sensitive antibiotics and medications that can alleviate bronchial smooth muscle spasms and dilute sputum for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of a baby's cold?

Babies with a cold often experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and fever. If the child's cold lasts no more than three days, you can treat it with some antiviral traditional Chinese medicine, as most initial colds are caused by viral infections. In terms of diet, it is important to ensure that the child consumes plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, avoids overly greasy food, and eats light, easily digestible meals. If the cold raises the child's temperature above 39°C, timely fever-reducing treatment is necessary. If the temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used to help reduce the child's fever. Additionally, it is important to ventilate the room for two hours every day.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you play ball with a cold?

If you have a cold, your body may experience chills. Playing sports can cause you to sweat, which helps to expel sweat and toxins and is beneficial for the recovery from a cold. However, be careful not to engage in excessive activity. It is appropriate to do some physical exercises and pay attention to keeping warm to avoid catching a cold again. After exercising, it is important to rehydrate promptly, drink more water to facilitate the elimination of toxins through urination. It's beneficial to eat more fruits and vegetables to replenish nutrients and enhance your physical condition. After exercising, remember to rest and take care of your health.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you catch a cold during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a normal physiological state for women to nurture a fetus. During pregnancy, factors such as a decrease in immunity, catching a cold, or malnutrition can lead to viral infections, causing symptoms of a cold. Whether a pregnant woman catches a cold mainly depends on her physical constitution, that is, her immune and resistance capacities. Pregnant women with a cold should avoid the indiscriminate and excessive use of medications, especially antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and hormonal products. It is important to drink plenty of water, rest adequately, and if medication is necessary, it should be chosen under the guidance of a doctor. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Does cold medicine hurt the stomach?

Cold medicines are harmful to the stomach because the drugs used to treat colds mainly involve symptomatic treatment and the selection of antiviral medications for etiological treatment. Colds often come with symptoms like headaches and fever, thus necessitating the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics. The most common adverse reactions to these drugs are gastrointestinal reactions. Therefore, taking cold medicines can easily harm the stomach, especially in patients with indigestion, chronic gastritis, or gastrointestinal ulcers, who may experience more pronounced symptoms. It is recommended to take cold medicines half an hour after eating to reduce their irritative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you swim with a cold?

Colds, also known as upper respiratory infections, generally occur because the patient's immune function is weakened, leading to the condition. Many patients catch a cold due to exposure to cold, while others are infected by people with colds due to weakened immune function. For patients with a cold who do not have a fever, we generally recommend engaging in appropriate exercise, which can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. For instance, if a cold occurs during the cold winter months, swimming and participating in similar physical activities can be beneficial for enhancing the patient's immune function and aiding in quicker recovery from the illness. Therefore, it is acceptable for patients with a cold to swim.