What should I do if I have a slight cold?

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 25, 2025
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If you experience some symptoms of a cold, you shouldn't worry too much about it. A common cold usually heals on its own in about seven days, and it tends to resolve naturally. However, if you experience a cold accompanied by headaches, fever, coughing, phlegm, or sore throat, this could be more serious and might be due to a viral or bacterial infection. In such cases, under the guidance of a doctor, you can take appropriate anti-inflammatory or antiviral medications. It's also important to stay hydrated to boost metabolism and enhance the body’s immunity. Make sure to keep warm and avoid exposure to cold drafts. During a cold, avoid smoking and alcohol and cooperate actively with medical treatment. Additionally, maintaining a positive mood is crucial as stress can adversely affect recovery from illness.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can I eat sea cucumber when I have a cold?

It is best not to eat sea cucumber during a cold, as it is considered a 'cold' food. Eating sea cucumber while having a cold can easily worsen the condition, and if there is an allergy to seafood, it may trigger an allergic reaction. During a cold, patients can eat some light fruits and vegetables, and it is generally not recommended to eat sea cucumber. During a cold, the body is relatively weak, and gastrointestinal function is not very good. Eating sea cucumber can lead to indigestion, which is not conducive to recovery from the cold. It is necessary to treat the cold with appropriate medication, and sea cucumber can be eaten after recovery.

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Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
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How to deal with heatstroke, cold, and fever?

In summer, due to the high temperatures, the human body can intake too much heat, leading to weakened immunity and symptoms such as colds and fevers, including sore throat, pain in the throat, runny nose, chills, and feverish symptoms. In such cases, symptomatic treatment can be carried out, starting with controlling the indoor temperature, which should not be too high or too low, and can be in an air-conditioned room, but the room temperature should not be set too low. Also, drink more water and appropriately take some cold medicine for symptomatic treatment. If the body temperature reaches above 38.5°C and physical cooling methods are not controlling it, fever-reducing medications might be needed. It is best to visit a hospital for relevant examinations, such as routine blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, and electrolytes, to rule out serious damage to internal organs caused by heatstroke.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Does drinking alcohol cure a cold?

Drinking alcohol definitely cannot cure a cold, and everyone should be aware of this. Moreover, contrary to that, drinking alcohol can potentially make the symptoms of a cold worse. During a cold, the body's resistance is already weakened, and drinking alcohol at this time might irritate the stomach lining and affect various organs in the body. Therefore, it is best not to drink alcohol when you have a cold, especially not as a treatment for it. It is advised that everyone take care to avoid this misconception. Also, when you have a cold, keep warm, eat light foods, and avoid drinks like carbonated beverages, alcoholic drinks, strong tea, and coffee. Additionally, it is important to maintain a relaxed mood and avoid excessive stress. During the period when taking cold medicine, you should be careful not to drink alcohol to prevent any toxic reactions, which are very harmful to health.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to relieve a cold headache without medicine

Firstly, you should drink more water to promote metabolism and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to help restore bodily functions. Avoid eating spicy food such as chili peppers and reduce meat consumption. Measure body temperature, you can massage the temples, or drink more ginger sugar water, which can help relieve headaches. If the body temperature rises, you can use warm water to wipe the palms, soles of the feet, neck, and chest. At the same time, apply a cool towel or ice pack to the forehead. Once the temperature normalizes, the symptoms of cold and headache will gradually improve; there is no need to worry too much.

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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.