A cold, also known as an acute upper respiratory infection, is mostly caused by viral infections, with about 30% possibly being bacterial or combined with a bacterial infection. Common symptoms of a cold include a runny nose, headache, sore throat, fever, and other catarrhal symptoms. When having a fever during a cold, it is generally advised to follow a bland diet, rest more, drink plenty of water, avoid spicy foods, and consume more vegetables and fruits that contain vitamins to boost the body's immune system and facilitate a quicker recovery from the cold.