How many days does it usually take for a fever to subside from a cold?

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on March 19, 2025
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A cold, if accompanied by a fever, is mostly caused by bacterial or viral infections. Under the guidance of a doctor, active symptomatic treatment can usually reduce the fever within two to three days. It is recommended that during the fever period, one should monitor the body temperature closely. If the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication should be taken immediately to achieve the purpose of reducing the fever, to avoid febrile convulsions, especially in infants and young children whose nervous systems are not yet fully developed. If a high fever is not treated promptly, it could likely lead to febrile convulsions and may have a certain impact on the child's health. Therefore, it is advised to take fever-reducing medication in a timely manner. If the body temperature is below 38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used at this time. Let the baby or the patient drink more water to promote excretion and enhance their resistance. Physical cooling methods should also be used regularly.

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Written by An Yong Peng
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What should I do if I have a cold and a sore throat?

In cases of colds with sore throats, appropriate measures should be taken based on the specific condition. A cold with a sore throat may be caused by a viral infection. For viral colds, there are usually no specific treatments, and symptomatic pain relief treatment is often needed, along with adequate hydration and proper intake of fruits and other related measures. Additionally, a sore throat from a cold could also be a bacterial infection, such as acute purulent tonsillitis, which is a type of bacterial cold. Patients with acute purulent tonsillitis often experience significant throat pain, swollen tonsils with purulent secretions on the surface, and may also have a fever. For acute purulent tonsillitis, not only is symptomatic treatment necessary, but also the use of sensitive antibiotics is required.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Can you eat grapefruit when you have a cold?

If you have a common cold, you can eat grapefruit. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and can enhance the body's immunity and its ability to resist viral colds. You can eat some grapefruit in moderation during a cold, but it is not recommended to consume too much as it can burden the gastrointestinal tract. During a cold, the body is relatively weak, so it is important to eat a light and reasonable diet, consume more light fruits and vegetables, and avoid overly greasy, spicy, and irritating foods.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Physical cooling methods for colds

Fever symptoms caused by a cold can be treated with physical cooling methods. There are many commonly used methods in clinical practice. For adults, one can wipe the palms, soles, neck, and chest—areas where major blood vessels run—with warm water or alcohol. You can also use a cool towel or ice packs to compress the forehead. Drinking herbal concoctions like scallion water or ginger sugar water can also help reduce fever physically. Additionally, soaking feet in Sichuan peppercorn water can be effective. Regardless of the method used, it's important to drink plenty of water and recheck the temperature after two hours.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Do cold medicines harm the kidneys?

Currently, for cold medicines, they can be divided into Western medicine and Chinese patent medicine available on the market. In Western medicine, most contain a compound called acetaminophen. Whether these medicines cause kidney damage mainly depends on the individual's kidney health condition. For elderly people or patients with conditions like hypertension or diabetes, medicines containing acetaminophen can cause kidney damage. However, it is generally not the case with young people. As for Chinese patent medicine, the ingredients in most of these cold remedies are not metabolized through the kidneys, and generally do not harm the kidneys. Thus, for older individuals or patients with poor kidney health, it is best to choose Chinese patent medicine for treating a cold. (Please take medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Is it normal to not catch a cold for a long time?

Not catching a cold for a long time is normal and indicates that the body is healthy with a normal immune function and robust defensive capabilities. In contrast, patients who frequently catch colds and fever generally have low immunity, showing signs of a weak constitution. Such individuals should drink more water and exercise more often. There is no need to worry or take any intervention measures if you do not catch a cold for a long period. Maintain a regular routine, adjust your mindset, avoid exposure to irritating chemicals, keep a positive attitude, avoid staying up late, and have regular health check-ups.