How to physically reduce fever when having a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 02, 2025
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There are many methods of physical cooling in clinical practice. The most commonly used is to choose warm water, or to wipe areas such as the palms, soles, neck, and chest with alcohol. It should be noted that infants should not use alcohol. You can also drink more ginger sugar water or scallion water, or use cool towels, ice packs, etc., to apply cold compresses to the forehead. These can achieve the effect of physically reducing fever. Be sure to drink plenty of water and measure the temperature again two hours later. If the fever does not ease, it is necessary to use medication in a timely manner.

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What fruits to eat for a stomach cold?

For a cold affecting the gastrointestinal system, it's advisable to consume fruits rich in vitamins, such as pears, watermelons, kale, and kumquats. These fruits can replenish fluids timely and have effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and enhancing immunity. Additionally, during a gastrointestinal cold, it is important to timely choose medicine that soothes the liver and stomach, and clears heat and dampness for treatment. Other dietary considerations should focus on light foods, eating soft and easy-to-digest foods such as noodle soup, rice soup, porridge, vegetable soup, and drinking plenty of water, while paying attention to balancing work and rest. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Why drink more hot water when you have a cold?

A cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, commonly occurs in patients due to a decrease in immune function, exposure to cold, or being infected by other viral colds. Typical symptoms in these patients include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and may also include an itchy throat and cough. For cold patients with strong resistance to viral infections, medication may not even be necessary as the cold can completely heal on its own. It is advised that these patients drink more hot water, which can help not only by providing hydration but also can serve to reduce fever in patients with mild fevers. Drinking more water can improve symptoms like nasal congestion and also accelerate the recovery from a cold, as increased water intake boosts metabolism. Therefore, for patients with lowered immune function and viral infections, it is recommended to drink an adequate amount of hot water.

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What should I do if the baby has a cold and a dry cough?

When a baby has a cold and a dry cough, the first step is to administer a cough suppressant, which can be a traditional Chinese medicine or medications like ambroxol. Additionally, nebulizer inhalation can be used, which also acts as a cough suppressant. Moreover, if a viral infection is suspected, it is appropriate to use some antiviral medications for treatment. However, since viral infections often last a long time and may be complicated by bacterial infections, antibiotics such as cephalosporins and penicillins in oral formulations can be added to treat the infection.

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What to do if you have a cold and a headache?

If you have a headache with a cold, it might be due to a viral infection, and you should go to the hospital for a routine blood test to identify the source of the infection. Then, take the corresponding anti-infection medication to treat and alleviate the symptoms. Also, you should pay attention to eating light, drinking more water, promoting excretion, and enhancing your immune system. Avoid eating spicy, greasy, and cold irritating foods. If the headache is severe, you may need to take some painkillers to relieve the symptoms. Additionally, symptomatic treatment should be applied; apart from the headache, you should check if there is any fever. Once the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, you should take some antipyretic drugs for treatment. Also, pay attention to using physical cooling methods, drinking more water, and avoiding spicy, greasy, and cold irritating foods. It is advised to follow the doctor’s guidance closely and cooperate actively with the doctor to alleviate the symptoms.

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How to relieve nasal congestion in children with a cold

Nasal congestion is a common symptom of a cold in children. When the congestion is severe, it can affect the child's daily life, making breathing uncomfortable and causing the child to become irritable. Therefore, it is important to address it promptly. First, ensure the child drinks plenty of water and you can apply a warm towel to the base of the nose. If there is a lot of nasal discharge, it should be cleaned out timely. You can use physiological saline to rinse the nasal cavity, thereby keeping the nasal passages clear. You can also give the child some cold medicine for children, which can completely relieve the nasal congestion. These are some specific methods on how to deal with nasal congestion during a child's cold, which you can try.