Is nasal congestion the same as having a cold?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on October 21, 2024
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Nasal congestion is not necessarily a cold. Cold medicine has many symptoms, with nasal congestion being one of them. However, there could be more reasons for nasal congestion. A cold is just one factor causing nasal congestion. Other reasons might include chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps. Often, these conditions are primarily due to pathological changes in the nose itself. Therefore, it is recommended to visit an otolaryngology clinic, particularly for persistent nasal congestion, and consider undergoing a nasopharyngoscopy. If needed, a sinus CT may also be considered, along with symptom assessment and additional diagnostic tests, to make a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric colds are classified into several types.

Child colds, also known as acute upper respiratory infections, are acute inflammations of the upper respiratory tract caused by various pathogens. Child colds are mainly caused by bacterial and viral infections, with over 90% being viral. The main viruses involved include rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, Coxsackie virus, echovirus, adenovirus, and coronaviruses. Viral infections can lead to secondary bacterial infections, with the most common bacterial infections being from Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. Additionally, Mycoplasma pneumoniae not only can cause pneumonia but is also a cause of upper respiratory infections, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Therefore, when a child has a cold, it's also important to consider the possibility of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can babies take a bath when they have a cold?

Actually, when children have a cold, they might sweat. If they sweat, their clothes will get wet, and having a lot of sweat on their body can also be uncomfortable. If they are not cleaned properly, it can actually make the baby feel very uncomfortable. So, it's completely fine to bathe when having a cold, especially for babies who are feverish. After their body temperature rises, bathing can also help to bring the temperature down, which is actually an effective method of physical cooling. As long as the room temperature and water temperature are kept appropriate, it is okay to bathe.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What can you eat with a stomach flu?

Gastrointestinal colds are caused by Coxsackie virus infection. Patients can eat more vegetables and fruits to supplement plant-based fiber and hydrate. Eating nutritious foods such as beef and mutton can help replenish energy and enhance resistance. Staple foods should be soft, such as rice soup, noodle soup, and vegetable soup. It is important to note that spicy and irritating foods should be avoided, and the consumption of strong tea, coffee, and alcohol should be minimized during the cold.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of a baby catching a cold

Symptoms of a cold in infants vary widely. Generally, they may exhibit one or several of the following symptoms. The first is upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. The second is respiratory symptoms, which may manifest as varying degrees of coughing, with or without phlegm. The third is symptoms of fever, which can occur to different extents. The fourth concerns gastrointestinal symptoms; the baby may experience reduced appetite, vomiting, abdominal distension, irritability, crying, diarrhea, among others.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Differences between air conditioning cold and common cold

Using air conditioning set too low, or staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time, can easily cause a cold due to the lack of air circulation. When a person's immune function is low, it is easy for viruses or bacteria to invade the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, headache, and dizziness. In the case of a common cold, it might be a heat-type cold or it could be a cold-type cold. Common colds are usually caused by viral infections of the respiratory tract, leading to clinical symptoms of discomfort. On the other hand, air conditioning colds often occur due to the air conditioning being set too cold, leading to cold-induced symptoms. Thus, there is a distinct difference between air conditioning colds and common colds, with the systemic symptoms caused by air conditioning colds being relatively more severe.