Types and Symptoms of the Common Cold

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 19, 2025
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The types and symptoms of a cold mainly include the common cold and epidemic cold, based on the causes of the cold. The common cold has relatively mild symptoms, mainly showing nasal congestion, runny nose, dry throat, dry tongue, and sometimes fever and headache may also occur. Epidemic influenza, mainly caused by influenza or parainfluenza virus infection, typically presents with symptoms such as chills, body-wide muscle soreness, and fatigue. Compared to the common cold, symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose are relatively mild, but the principles of treatment are the same.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Which cold medicine is good?

Cold medicines cannot be compared as to which one is better or worse, as the therapeutic effect of each medicine varies from person to person due to individual differences. This means that even with the same cold and the same symptoms, if two people take the same medicine at the same time, one might find it very effective while the other might not notice significant results. Specific situations should consider the patient's constitution and specific symptoms, and choose medications under the guidance of a doctor. The principle of treating colds with medication is to treat the symptoms appropriately, and it can also be combined with antiviral drugs to kill the virus in the body, along with drinking plenty of water and resting.

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

During a cold, it is appropriate to eat some onions. If the onions are cooked, they are easier to digest. If consuming raw onions, eat them in moderation without overdoing it. Because they are spicy food, they have certain stimulating effects. Since onions are spicy, they can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to increased secretion of mucus, which in turn causes more nasal discharge and phlegm production. The expulsion of these secretions can help clear the respiratory pathways. Additionally, onions are rich in vitamins and can enhance the body's immunity.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is having phlegm in a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat cold?

Simple cases of colds accompanied by coughing phlegm cannot distinguish between cold-induced colds and heat-induced colds. Clinically, patients with heat-induced colds often have yellow phlegm when coughing occurs, and heat-induced colds are more common in summer. Patients will also experience fever, chills, and sore throat among other clinical symptoms. Wind-cold colds clinically manifest with nasal congestion and a runny nose, usually with clear nasal discharge, as well as fever, itchy throat, and dry cough. When patients cough, it is typically characterized by clear phlegm. Therefore, if one simply states that a cold involves phlegm, it is not possible to differentiate between wind-cold cold and wind-heat cold.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Is a cold with green nasal discharge serious?

Having a cold accompanied by green purulent nasal discharge is a common and frequent symptom in otolaryngology. The cause of these symptoms is primarily fungal sinusitis caused by a fungal infection in the patient. When these symptoms occur, it is important to first complete a paranasal sinus CT, electronic nasopharyngoscope, complete blood count, and nasal secretion culture to identify the pathogen causing the patient's illness and make a clear diagnosis. Additionally, timely use of antiviral drugs and medications that clear the throat and open the nasal passages should be administered for symptomatic treatment. For patients with sinus ostium blockage and fungal sinusitis, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is also needed to open the sinus ostium, restore normal drainage between the sinus and the nasal cavity, and thus achieve a cure for the patient's condition.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What to eat when you have a cold, headache, and nasal congestion?

If you have symptoms such as headache and nasal congestion with a cold, it is recommended that in addition to taking anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications and cold medicine under the guidance of a doctor, you should also eat some foods that have the effect of expelling colds, such as appropriately boiling some brown sugar ginger juice to drink, or frying eggs with ginger and sesame oil. These dietary methods have the effect of expelling cold and stopping cough, and can also relieve symptoms of nasal congestion and headache well. If the pain is severe, you can take pain relief medication and combine it with massaging the temples to alleviate symptoms. Be sure to rest plenty, avoid overexertion, keep indoor air fresh and circulating, and also pay attention to eating more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins, enhance your immunity, and promote disease recovery.