The causes of colds and fever

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

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to deal with cold chills and fever?

Symptoms of a cold such as chills and fever are manifestations of chills and high fever. During this period, one should first measure the body temperature, drink plenty of water, and promptly take appropriate fever-reducing measures depending on the severity of the fever to prevent febrile convulsions. Generally, the body temperature is measured again two hours after fever reduction through physical cooling or medication. Once the body sweats, the body temperature will return to normal, and the symptoms of chills will gradually ease. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Can scraping (gua sha) cure a cold?

Gua sha cannot cure a cold, but it helps with recovery from a cold. This is because gua sha can reduce internal heat, promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and improve the body's metabolism. To cure a cold, it is still necessary to use cold medicines or anti-inflammatory drugs to achieve a healing effect. During treatment, it is also important to drink more water, urinate frequently, and engage in physical exercise to effectively promote sweating, which can improve the situation. After catching a cold, it is advisable to rest and avoid excessive fatigue. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding stimulating and cold food. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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A cold with a runny nose and sore throat is what kind of cold?

A cold accompanied by a runny nose and a sore throat may be a viral infection. Typical symptoms of a viral cold include a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and a sore throat, as well as coughing. Sometimes symptoms also include headache, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and even a low fever. Influenza can also cause symptoms like a runny nose and sore throat, but compared to a common viral cold, influenza is more likely to present with high fever and more severe systemic symptoms such as muscle aches and fatigue. Furthermore, the treatment for influenza differs from that of a common cold; besides symptomatic treatment, antiviral treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors is often required for influenza.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Is wind-cold common cold?

Wind-cold common cold is actually what is referred to as the common cold, primarily caused by exposure to cool air or catching cold. It mostly occurs in autumn and winter, and can easily lead to symptoms like a runny nose, cough, excessive phlegm, and body aches. For treatment, it is recommended to mainly use Western medicine, though Chinese medicine can also be effective. During treatment, the diet should consist mainly of warm foods, drinking more ginger sugar water or brown sugar water, which has the effect of expelling cold.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What medicine to take for a cold and headache?

During a cold with headache, you can appropriately massage the temples to relieve the symptom of headache. If the headache is severe during a cold, then it is necessary to take some pain relief medication to alleviate the symptoms. Usually, you should pay attention to your diet, opting for light meals and avoiding spicy, greasy, cold, and stimulating foods. Also, it is important to keep the diet light and consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, or porridge to enhance your body's resistance and alleviate symptoms. It is advised that if the cold with headache is severe, and accompanied by fever, it might be a viral cold. You can take some antiviral medications coupled with cold relief drugs for treatment to alleviate the symptoms. During treatment, it is essential to actively cooperate with the doctors' treatment, avoid smoking and drinking, drink plenty of water, and rest adequately.