What foods should you eat when you have a cold or are feeling inflamed?

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on June 06, 2025
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If you experience symptoms like a cold and heatiness, you can appropriately consume some foods that clear heat and detoxify, and reduce internal heat. For instance, you can appropriately eat some grapefruit, apples, pears, or oranges, and kumquats are also good choices. Additionally, you could eat some vegetables like loofah or bitter gourd and winter melon, which can help clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and promote urination. It is also advisable to consume some loquat, or appropriately eat some bok choy, lettuce, and celery. It is important not to consume nourishing foods that are too rich, such as mango, durian, longan, lychee, and goji berries, as they might worsen the condition. Moreover, remember to drink plenty of water to promote metabolism and enhance your immune system.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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What is the typical body temperature for a common cold?

The common cold, clinically known as an upper respiratory tract infection, typically presents with symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Generally, the body temperature of these patients is around 38°C, though it can be higher. This is due to the fact that colds are caused by infections from various pathogens, and the severity can depend on the patient's immune competence. Patients with weaker immune systems may experience more pronounced symptoms of colds and fevers. Furthermore, body temperatures caused by some viral infections tend to be quite high. For these patients, sometimes their body temperature does not increase. Specifically, the body temperature for a common cold can vary from person to person.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is a cold transmitted?

Colds are primarily transmitted through airborne droplets, as well as close contact with patients, shared utensils, and other means of transmission. This disease itself is a respiratory infection caused by viral infections, leading to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough. However, it is self-limiting, so there is no need for concern. Once sick, drink plenty of water, rest, treat symptoms accordingly, and prevent complications. To prevent colds, strengthen protection, avoid going out during the flu season, exercise regularly, and boost immunity.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Methods to stop coughing from a cold

During a cold, if you have symptoms of a cough, then it is appropriate to drink some rock sugar and pear water at this time. Pears have the effect of moistening the lungs, stopping coughs, and transforming phlegm, which can alleviate some symptoms of a cold cough. At the same time, it is also necessary to take some corresponding sensitive antibiotics to fight the infection for better treatment effects. Additionally, you can take some cough and phlegm relief medication to ease the symptoms. It is also important to note that the diet should include more fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C to supplement vitamins, which can enhance one’s resistance and also alleviate some symptoms of a cold. It is advised that during the coughing period, one should rest more, avoid over-exertion, and also refrain from heavy physical labor, engage in moderate exercise, and avoid intense physical activities. Intense exercise can potentially reduce resistance, worsening the symptoms of a cold, and this should be noted.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How many days does it take to recover from a cold?

How long does a cold last? Normally, a common cold can recover within 5-7 days. Influenza might have a slightly longer duration, generally requiring 7-10 days to resolve. The specific situation also depends on the virulence of the cold virus, the body's immune capability, the amount of virus, and the body’s resistance. There are some clinical variations. The common cold itself is a contagious, self-limiting disease, caused by viral infections like influenza or parainfluenza, leading to respiratory infections. The main treatment involves drinking plenty of water, resting, symptom management, and preventing complications.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to get better from a cold quickly?

First, it is important to correctly understand the common cold. The common cold itself is caused by a decrease in body immunity, infection by rhinoviruses, pharyngoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza, or parainfluenza viruses, leading to symptoms of respiratory infection. The principle of treatment is to choose symptomatic medicinal treatment, combined with antiviral drugs, and causative treatment. In terms of diet, attention should be paid to avoiding overly greasy, stimulating, and spicy foods, drinking plenty of hot water, measuring body temperature twice daily, and consuming foods like kiwifruit, celery, and spinach to help with metabolism.