Types and Symptoms of Common Cold

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on November 03, 2024
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From the perspective of Western medicine, there are primarily two types of colds: the common cold and influenza. The symptoms of the common cold are different and mainly include nasal congestion, runny nose, dry and sore throat, tearing, sneezing, and other symptoms. In contrast, influenza mainly manifests as weakness in the limbs, muscle soreness, and some may experience fixed joint swelling and pain. It can also cause complications such as nausea and vomiting, mainly due to infections caused by different pathogens, thus the symptoms vary.

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Is a cold with fever easy to get over?

Heat cold is also just a type of cold, and it is also quite common in clinical settings. Typically, such patients often occur in the summer, and a slight chill or getting caught in the rain can trigger the symptoms of a cold. The general clinical symptoms of a heat cold include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and often yellow nasal discharge. Patients may also have varying degrees of fever, and during a fever, they might feel chills throughout the body, headaches, dizziness, etc. Most heat colds are caused by viral infections. Therefore, appropriate antiviral drugs and heat-clearing and detoxifying medications are given to treat the symptoms. Heat colds generally get better within about a week, especially in young people, some of whom may recover from heat cold symptoms even without medication.

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Is it good to get an injection for a cold?

The common cold is caused by a viral infection and clinically, it often presents symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, throat discomfort, and coughing. Some patients may also experience mild fever, fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific and effective treatments for the common cold, and generally, there is no need for injections. This illness also has a certain self-limiting nature; even without medication, the common cold generally improves within about seven days. If the symptoms are significant, medications like compound cold medicine can be used to alleviate the symptoms of a cold.

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How to treat a stomach cold in winter.

Gastrointestinal colds are commonly seen in the transition between winter and spring or autumn and winter. If you feel discomfort in your gastrointestinal area during these times, it might be a gastrointestinal cold. In this case, it is suggested to take standard medications for stomach pain and diarrhea and also to drink plenty of water. A gastrointestinal cold generally causes a high fever, so if you have a fever, you can take some antipyretics to lower your body temperature. Additionally, it is important to rehydrate timely during diarrhea and to adjust your diet to include more fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat semi-solid foods like rice porridge and soup, and avoid greasy, spicy food. Avoid intense physical activities, rest more, and get plenty of sleep to allow your body to recover quickly.

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How to treat a cold during pregnancy

If you have symptoms of a cold while pregnant, it is advised not to self-medicate blindly. Always consult a physician and use medications that are relatively safer to treat the condition so as to prevent any potential impact on the fetus. This is particularly important during the first three months of pregnancy when the baby's development is still not complete, and indiscriminate use of some medications could possibly cause developmental abnormalities in the baby. It is suggested that everyone should distinguish the type of cold they are experiencing, and then treat and alleviate symptoms through dietary therapy. For instance, for a cold caused by exposure to wind and chill, one might drink some brown sugar ginger tea or have a warm foot bath, both of which can expel the cold from the body, promote blood circulation, and relieve cold symptoms. If it's a cold caused by wind-heat, drinking herbal teas that clear heat and detoxify can be beneficial in alleviating the condition.

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Symptoms of a cold in a baby over 40 days old

The symptoms of a cold in a baby over 40 days old are definitely different from those in adults. Parents should observe whether the baby's behavior has changed. For example, if the baby becomes noticeably fussy or irritable, especially while sleeping, or if the baby has nasal congestion, a runny nose, or sneezing, these could be signs. Also, if the baby drools bubbles at the corners of the mouth while sleeping quietly, breathes noticeably faster, vomits milk after feeding more frequently than usual, or if there is an increase in the frequency and looseness of stools and bloating, these may indicate a cold. If cold symptoms appear, please seek medical attention promptly, as babies have weaker immune systems and their conditions can progress quickly. Without timely intervention, it is easy for the condition to develop into pneumonia.