What to do if you have a cold and a headache?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on May 19, 2025
00:00
00:00

After catching a cold, symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and fever may occur, and many patients also experience headaches. What should be done about headaches after a cold? First, it is important to rest, ensure sufficient sleep, drink plenty of water, and keep the room well-ventilated to aid in recovery. Additionally, symptomatic treatment with medications might be used, such as antipyretic analgesics, multi-symptom cold remedies, and corresponding traditional Chinese medicines. These medications can help alleviate headache symptoms.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
34sec home-news-image

Types and Symptoms of the Common Cold

The types and symptoms of colds can generally be divided into influenza and the common cold based on their causes, and there are certain differences in their symptoms. Influenza typically occurs during epidemic periods and shows classic symptoms such as sore limbs, fatigue, headache, nausea, and drowsiness. In contrast, the common cold typically features symptoms like clear nasal discharge, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, dry mouth, and sore throat, but lacks the sore limbs symptom seen in influenza.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
46sec home-news-image

Can babies with colds eat eggs?

When infants catch a cold, it is mostly due to a viral infection, which reduces their intestinal digestive function and increases their intestinal sensitivity. Therefore, it is not advisable for them to eat eggs during this time. Firstly, eggs are one of the most common allergens for children, and their sensitivity increases during a cold, possibly triggering allergic symptoms in babies, including gastrointestinal symptoms, exacerbation of skin symptoms, and even respiratory symptoms. Secondly, eggs contain a relatively high amount of fat, which, if consumed during a cold, might cause the baby to experience vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, there is a certain risk involved, and caution is necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

What to eat when you have a stomach cold and a high fever?

Gastrointestinal flu with high fever requires a diet primarily consisting of soft, easy-to-digest foods. It is also necessary to consume more vegetables and fruits to supplement dietary fiber. Avoid cold, raw, and spicy, irritating foods. It is important to promptly use medications for treatment, such as those that clear heat and dampness, promote qi and release the exterior, dissipate heat and soothe the liver, suppress gastric acid secretion, and protect the gastric mucosa and intestines. For diarrhea, symptomatic antidiarrheal treatment should be used, and keep the abdomen warm. Rest more during this period and avoid excessive fatigue. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
50sec home-news-image

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.)