What is a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

Updated on February 04, 2025

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Colds are classified as a type of disease, and clinically, they are mainly divided into common colds and influenza. They are among the most common respiratory infectious diseases in daily life, caused by viral infections. The common cold is mainly caused by rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, and other viruses, while influenza is mostly caused by influenza viruses or parainfluenza viruses and other pathogens. Symptoms include drowsiness, fatigue, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. The main treatments include drinking plenty of water, antiviral therapy, and symptomatic treatment.

Other Voices

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Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

1min 31sec

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What are some cold medicines for babies?

When a baby catches a cold, it indicates that the child has an acute upper respiratory infection, which is mostly caused by viral infections, with about 10% due to bacterial infections. Therefore, when a child catches a cold, it is crucial to ensure they rest adequately and take some cold medications. The commonly used cold medications primarily involve symptomatic treatments. For high fever, antipyretic analgesics can be administered, and physical cooling measures such as cold compresses may also be applied. When a child experiences febrile convulsions, sedatives and anticonvulsants should be given; for nasal congestion, topical medications can be applied to alleviate nasal congestion. If the child’s throat is uncomfortable, throat lozenges can be taken. For the common cold, antiviral drugs do not have a specialized therapeutic effect. Thus, drinking more water is advisable. If it is confirmed that the cold is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be administered under the guidance of a hospital doctor. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medications should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician. Do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

1min 1sec

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Can I eat mangoes if I have a cold and a stuffy nose?

Colds belong to respiratory system diseases, and the factors causing colds in clinical settings are often due to low immune function in patients. A slight carelessness or getting chilled can lead to the invasion of viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens into the respiratory tract, causing inflammatory lesions. In clinical settings, patients with a cold often experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and some also have varying degrees of coughing. For patients with a cold, we recommend that they eat more foods high in vitamins. Especially fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, mangoes, strawberries, kiwis, and even watermelons, can all be appropriately consumed. Therefore, when a patient with a cold has nasal congestion, they can eat mangoes. Because mangoes are very nutritious, containing a variety of vitamins and trace elements needed by the body.

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

41sec

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Can you drink alcohol if you have a cold?

It is not recommended to drink alcohol during a cold. This is because alcohol can suppress the central nervous system and affect the absorption of medications, especially cephalosporin drugs. One must not drink alcohol as it can pose a life-threatening risk. Whether it is beer, Western liquor, or strong spirits, none should be consumed. Since a cold itself can cause symptoms of fatigue and weakness, adding alcohol can potentially worsen these symptoms. Additionally, consuming alcohol while on cold medications is not advised, as it can lead to poor mental focus, and alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of a cold.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

50sec

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What is the temperature of a fever caused by a cold?

Colds are very common clinically, and due to different types of colds, patients exhibit varying clinical symptoms. Typically, febrile colds often occur in the summer. The specific fever temperature varies from person to person. Some patients with febrile colds may not develop a fever at all, while others may experience high fevers accompanied by symptoms like chills and other clinical discomforts. Therefore, the specific temperature of a febrile cold is determined by each patient's individual condition. In cases where the resistance is relatively good, it is common for some patients to have a mild infection and not develop a fever, while others might have a fever around 39°C or even higher.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei

Pediatrics

1min 58sec

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What to do if a baby catches a cold?

When a child catches a cold, it's important to consider their specific symptoms. If the cold lasts no more than three days and the child is in good spirits, you can treat them with anti-viral and heat-clearing Chinese patent medicines. Their diet should be light and easy to digest, and include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. If the baby is exclusively breastfed and under six months old, the mother should ensure a balanced diet, consume easily digestible foods, and avoid overly greasy or spicy foods. If the child's cold persists for more than three days and symptoms like cough with phlegm appear, it's necessary to bring the child to the hospital for timely tests, such as a complete blood count and C-reactive protein, to rule out bacterial infections and provide appropriate treatment based on the child's condition. For infants with a cold, considering their underdeveloped organ functions and weaker immunity, even a common cold can easily lead to secondary viral or bacterial infections, potentially causing severe diseases like pneumonia. Therefore, it's best to take the child to the pediatric outpatient clinic for assessment and targeted treatment. If it’s inconvenient to visit a doctor, consider that most colds are caused by viruses, such as respiratory or enteroviruses. Therefore, you might treat the child at home with antiviral Chinese patent medicines and symptom-specific supportive treatments. It's also crucial to manage their diet well, as digestive functions can be compromised during a cold. Thus, meals should be small and frequent, and it's advisable to avoid hard-to-digest and potentially allergenic foods to prevent exacerbating symptoms. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)