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 Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What foods should you eat when you have a cold or are feeling inflamed?

If you experience symptoms like a cold and heatiness, you can appropriately consume some foods that clear heat and detoxify, and reduce internal heat. For instance, you can appropriately eat some grapefruit, apples, pears, or oranges, and kumquats are also good choices. Additionally, you could eat some vegetables like loofah or bitter gourd and winter melon, which can help clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and promote urination. It is also advisable to consume some loquat, or appropriately eat some bok choy, lettuce, and celery. It is important not to consume nourishing foods that are too rich, such as mango, durian, longan, lychee, and goji berries, as they might worsen the condition. Moreover, remember to drink plenty of water to promote metabolism and enhance your immune system.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is an air conditioning cold a wind-heat cold?

The so-called air conditioning cold refers to a cold phenomenon caused by setting the air conditioning temperature too low, which makes patients overchilled. The clinical symptoms of such patients are mainly those of a cold caused by wind-cold, primarily characterized by a runny nose, nasal congestion, and clear watery nasal discharge, along with an itchy throat and coughing. Of course, these patients may also experience varying degrees of fever. Therefore, air conditioning-induced colds typically occur in the summer, and it is necessary to combine the patient’s clinical symptoms to determine the specific type of cold, which is generally dominated by wind-cold colds.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you smoke when you have a cold?

You should not smoke when you have a cold. As colds are a type of respiratory infection, smoking can directly irritate the respiratory system, including the mouth, throat, and nasal mucosa, worsening the condition and triggering coughing and sore throat. This is detrimental to both recovery from the illness and overall health, therefore, smoking should be avoided during a cold. During a cold, it is also advisable to eat a light diet, avoid meat, and consume more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, drink plenty of water, and avoid staying up late. Generally, recovery will gradually occur within three to seven days. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, antimicrobial medication may also be necessary for treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is nasal congestion the same as having a cold?

Nasal congestion is not necessarily a cold. Cold medicine has many symptoms, with nasal congestion being one of them. However, there could be more reasons for nasal congestion. A cold is just one factor causing nasal congestion. Other reasons might include chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps. Often, these conditions are primarily due to pathological changes in the nose itself. Therefore, it is recommended to visit an otolaryngology clinic, particularly for persistent nasal congestion, and consider undergoing a nasopharyngoscopy. If needed, a sinus CT may also be considered, along with symptom assessment and additional diagnostic tests, to make a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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Can a cold make you feel like vomiting?

Colds are a common illness and can lead to symptoms of nausea and vomiting. On one hand, some people experience a gastrointestinal type of cold, characterized by stomach discomfort and possibly even diarrhea, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. On the other hand, colds can also cause fever, and the fever can affect the function of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Therefore, there is no need to panic if these symptoms occur after catching a cold; some medications can be used to treat the symptoms accordingly. At the same time, it is important to rest, avoid getting chilled, drink plenty of water, and eat a light diet to facilitate recovery. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)