The causes of colds and fever

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 24, 2025
00:00
00:00

First, it should be correctly understood that a fever is a type of immune response of the body. When the body is infected by bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, mycoplasma, etc., it leads to this kind of immune response, causing fever symptoms. During a fever, the body's blood concentrates in the brain tissues, and other important organs such as the liver, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. Comparatively, the blood supply to the hands, feet, and limbs decreases, which is a protective response. A cold is caused by a viral infection, and inflammation stimulates the body's temperature regulation center, causing a protective reaction. Therefore, there is no need to worry; symptomatic treatment is enough.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
39sec home-news-image

How to distinguish between bacterial cold and viral cold

Bacterial colds and viral colds can be distinguished by a complete blood count. A viral cold, generally caused by a viral infection, is characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild fever. Bacterial colds, on the other hand, often present with chills and high fever, sore throat, and pus in the tonsils. In viral colds, lymphocyte counts are elevated, and there is no significant increase, or no increase, in the total white blood cell count. Bacterial colds show an increase in white blood cells and neutrophils.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
53sec home-news-image

Can you drink yogurt when you have a cold?

Colds are a relatively common type of illness, often occurring in people whose immune functions are compromised. For such patients, it is recommended that they consume foods high in protein and vitamins. Commonly, individuals catch colds due to inadvertent exposure to cold environments leading to viral infections. For such cold sufferers, it is generally advised to consume items like yogurt and milk, as yogurt has high nutritional value due to its fermentation process. It typically contains high-quality proteins, probiotics, calcium, and various vitamins, including B1 and B6. Therefore, consuming yogurt when suffering from a cold can greatly supplement the nutrients needed by the body, and indirectly boost the patient's immunity. Thus, yogurt is advisable during a cold.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
44sec home-news-image

What should I do about a seasonal cold?

Colds caused by seasonal changes should be treated symptomatically, often due to fluctuations in temperature differences leading to decreased immune function and colds caused by chilling. It is recommended to drink more ginger sugar water and measure body temperature. Drinking ginger sugar water can warm the body and disperse cold, as well as promote metabolism. If there are symptoms of fever, physical methods to reduce fever should be adopted, or antipyretic medications can be taken orally. Firstly, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of the indoor air, avoid eating irritating or spicy foods, measure body temperature twice daily, and possibly combine with antiviral medications for etiological treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
47sec home-news-image

Can you exercise when you have a cold in the summer?

Generally speaking, it is not advisable to exercise after catching a cold; it is usually recommended to rest instead. This is because after catching a cold, a person's immune system is often weakened, commonly accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, and decreased appetite. If one exercises during this time, it will inevitably increase the body's consumption, further reducing the body's resistance, weakening the body even more, and hindering the recovery from the illness. Moreover, exercise increases lung capacity, leading to a higher volume of air passing through the airways, which can aggravate symptoms such as throat discomfort and cough associated with a cold. From this perspective, it is also unsuitable to exercise.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
48sec home-news-image

Can you eat watermelon if you have a cold from catching a chill?

In clinical practice, there are cases of colds classified as "hot" or "cold" types. Even patients suffering from a "hot" type cold can experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and fever when they catch a chill. For some patients who catch a cold in summer due to being chilled, it is appropriate to eat some watermelon, as watermelon is a cooling fruit. It can somewhat relieve the heat for patients suffering from a "hot" type cold. Therefore, for patients experiencing nasal congestion, sore throat, or even coughing due to a "hot" type cold, eating watermelon can help adjust and soothe, although it is not recommended to eat frozen watermelon.