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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Is a sore throat caused by a cold with wind-cold or a cold with wind-heat?

Sore throat may be caused by a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat, which are terms used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, from a Western medicine perspective, both wind-cold and wind-heat colds are caused by viral infections, and in rare cases, bacterial infections. When bacteria or viruses invade the respiratory tract's mucous membranes, especially the mucous membranes of the throat, it leads to congestion and swelling of the throat mucosa, increased exudation of inflammatory secretions, resulting in symptoms such as sore throat, throat discomfort, and coughing up phlegm. Therefore, a sore throat could be due to a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. In such cases, it is appropriate to take some anti-cold medications or some Chinese patent medicines to alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to deal with a cold caused by deficient fire?

Deficiency fever colds are generally caused by congenital insufficiencies and bodily weakness, leading to pathogenic yin. It may also result from imbalances between yin and yang, or dysfunction of the spleen. For this type of cold, there is no need to panic, as it can be managed with traditional Chinese medicine. Colds relating to deficiency fever typically manifest with symptoms such as oral sores, dizziness, headaches, irritability, and insomnia. Effective improvement can be achieved by taking medicine that reduces deficiency heat. Alternatively, maintaining a light and simple diet can effectively help improve gastrointestinal digestion. (Medicine should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Wu Xiao Sheng
Pulmonology
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Can you not eat seafood when you have a cold?

Cold patients can generally eat seafood unless they are allergic to it. The common cold is the most frequently seen acute upper respiratory tract infection in clinical settings, and it is a contagious disease. It can cause a variety of clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, patients with a cold will experience certain consumption, including nutritional and fluid loss. Seafood is the most common marine product food, and it does not affect the common cold. This means that eating seafood does not worsen the clinical symptoms of a cold. Moreover, seafood contains rich nutrients, which can beneficially supplement the losses caused by the cold. Of course, a very small number of cold patients may have an allergic constitution and be allergic to seafood, in which case it is not suitable for them, but this situation is very rare.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if I catch a cold during my menstrual period?

During menstruation, if cold symptoms occur and are mild, it is not recommended to use medication. Instead, drinking more warm water and resting is advisable. If the cold is severe, it is better to use traditional Chinese medicine with no side effects under the guidance of a doctor, as the body is weak and has lower immunity during menstruation, making it prone to colds. During menstruation, keep warm, avoid cold and chilling stimuli, eat a light diet with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, avoid vigorous exercise, and maintain personal hygiene.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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What should a baby eat when they have a cold?

Most colds in children are caused by viral infections. During a cold, it is normal to take oral cold medications and antiviral drugs. Additionally, we should consider the specific condition of the child's cold. For simple symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose, just taking cold medications and antivirals should suffice. However, if the child has other symptoms such as gastrointestinal nausea and vomiting, it may be necessary to also use digestive aids to adjust the stomach and intestines. If the cold is accompanied by fever, with temperatures exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretics are also needed for treatment. Besides medication, it is important to maintain a light and reasonable diet and ensure proper rest during a cold. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)