How many days does a cold and fever last?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 12, 2025
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Common cold and fever generally last for about three to five days. However, if it is influenza, the duration might be longer. The specific condition should be determined based on individual constitution and disease tolerance, and it generally does not exceed seven days. If the fever persists for more than a week, secondary bacterial infection or other pathogenic respiratory inflammatory factors should be considered. Chest X-rays, complete blood count, and mycoplasma tests, among other diagnostic aids, would be necessary for a precise diagnosis. Appropriate measures to reduce fever should be taken during this time.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you drink alcohol when you have a cold?

A cold, also commonly referred to as an upper respiratory tract infection, can be classified based on the type of infecting virus into common cold and influenza. Regardless of the type, patients typically experience various symptoms following the virus infection such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and an itchy throat. For patients exhibiting these symptoms, it is generally recommended in clinical practice to drink plenty of water and avoid overly greasy foods. Certainly, consumption of alcohol and spicy foods like chili peppers should be avoided. Similarly, it is advised not to consume cold-natured foods during a cold, hence drinking alcohol is discouraged while sick.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of a cold in infants?

Symptoms of a cold in infants generally include less energy and spirit than usual and varying degrees of reduced appetite. Depending on the type of cold, other symptoms may differ. If the cold is caused by a respiratory virus infection, common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, phlegm, and sometimes wheezing. Severe cases may experience shortness of breath. If it's a cold caused by a gastrointestinal virus infection, typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. The severity of the cold and the source of the infection can also lead to varying degrees of fever.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of a baby catching a cold

Symptoms of a cold in infants vary widely. Generally, they may exhibit one or several of the following symptoms. The first is upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. The second is respiratory symptoms, which may manifest as varying degrees of coughing, with or without phlegm. The third is symptoms of fever, which can occur to different extents. The fourth concerns gastrointestinal symptoms; the baby may experience reduced appetite, vomiting, abdominal distension, irritability, crying, diarrhea, among others.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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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.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can air conditioning cause a fever?

Air conditioning cold, also known as in the hot summer due to staying in air-conditioned rooms for a long time without timely ventilation, and the air conditioning temperature being set too low, over time, will inevitably cause some clinical discomfort symptoms. Typically, if the temperature is too low, it generally causes symptoms of upper respiratory infections, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, and even some gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, it is very common for patients with air conditioning cold to experience fever symptoms. As long as the diagnosis is clear and timely symptomatic treatment is provided, the fever symptoms caused by air conditioning cold can also be effectively controlled.