What drip should be given for a cold?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on May 04, 2025
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A cold is a symptom of nasopharyngeal infection caused by a viral infection, typically characterized by sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, throat discomfort, sore throat, fever, and headache. Generally, a cold can be cured within about a week through rest or symptomatic treatment with medication. Usually, there is no need for an IV drip. However, in some special cases, such as when the patient is young or elderly and weak, and where symptoms of a cold, such as sweating a lot due to fever and lack of appetite, occur, it may be appropriate to administer fluids intravenously.

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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What is wind-heat cold?

Wind-heat cold is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine, referring to a type of cold caused by the invasion of heat into the body. Clinically, it mainly presents with symptoms such as coughing, coughing up purulent sputum, thick and abundant sputum that is difficult to expel, as well as high fever with chills. The body temperature can reach above 39°C within a few hours, and there may also be headaches, dizziness, sore limbs, fatigue, and sore, swollen throat. Therefore, patients with wind-heat cold should drink plenty of water and take some heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese patent medicines orally. For patients with a body temperature higher than 38.5°C, antipyretic medication such as ibuprofen should be taken orally to reduce the temperature back to normal. In daily life, it is important to focus on a light diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Liu Yong
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Does wind-heat cold have phlegm?

Wind-heat colds have a very high incidence rate in daily life. Symptoms of wind-heat cold include fever, cough with phlegm, dizziness, headache, and sore throat. Wind-heat colds are characterized by the presence of phlegm, and it is advisable to visit a hospital for a diagnostic check. In everyday life, it is important to rest, drink plenty of warm water, keep warm, and eat a light diet. Consuming fruits and vegetables high in vitamins is beneficial. It is also recommended to avoid crowded places to prevent cross-infection.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Will a cold with nasal congestion get better on its own?

Cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection, manifests clinically in patients with varying degrees of nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. It's important first to identify the upper respiratory tract infection, which is mainly caused by a viral infection that leads to symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and sometimes a sore throat. For viral infections causing inflammatory lesions in the respiratory tract, in cases where the patient's immune function is strong, the symptoms of nasal congestion caused by the viral cold can resolve on their own. However, in infants or elderly people with lower immune function, when a viral cold occurs, symptomatic treatment with antiviral drugs can lead to a quicker recovery.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you eat chicken soup if you have a cold and cough?

Cold is a common symptom, and after a cold-induced cough, we should pay more attention to rest. Maintain a positive mindset and regular diet. If the cold and cough are not very severe, we can eat some seasonal vegetables and fruits to enhance the body's resistance. As for chicken soup, it is very beneficial for health and a great tonic, but we should not drink too much chicken soup, as some people may get nosebleeds due to excessive heat. Also, do not consume too much nutrition; it is better to eat some light food and avoid overly greasy food.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to distinguish between bacterial cold and viral cold

Bacterial colds and viral colds can be distinguished by a complete blood count. A viral cold, generally caused by a viral infection, is characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild fever. Bacterial colds, on the other hand, often present with chills and high fever, sore throat, and pus in the tonsils. In viral colds, lymphocyte counts are elevated, and there is no significant increase, or no increase, in the total white blood cell count. Bacterial colds show an increase in white blood cells and neutrophils.