Why do I have a headache with a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on March 19, 2025
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There are many reasons why a cold can cause a headache, the most common being due to a viral infection which triggers an immune response in the body's temperature regulation center, leading to fever symptoms; fever can cause headaches. Additionally, a cold can also stimulate swelling of the nasal mucosa, causing nasal congestion and inducing neurogenic headaches. Headaches from a cold are a common symptom and are often accompanied by a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. Regardless of the cause of the headache, you can generally choose some antipyretic analgesic drugs to alleviate the symptoms. At the same time, choosing antiviral drugs for etiological treatment is advisable. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician, do not medicate blindly)

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What should a pregnant woman do if she has a slight cold?

When pregnant women catch a mild cold, it is generally not recommended to take medicine for treatment. This is because some medications can have adverse effects on the growth and development of the fetus. It is advised in daily life to drink more warm water, as this can promote metabolism and eliminate some toxins from the body. It is also important to ensure sufficient sleep, avoid intense activities, maintain a pleasant mood, and fulfill the nutritional requirements of the body. It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and keep the diet light, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods. Also, avoid overly greasy and salty foods, and do not overwork or stay up late in daily life.

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Can babies take medicine when they have a cold?

Babies can certainly take medicine when they have a cold. However, if the symptoms are mild and the general condition is good, and the baby can eat and sleep well, it might not be necessary to medicate. It's important to pay close attention and there might be a possibility of natural recovery without medication. If the symptoms of the cold are severe, it is necessary to take medicine, because if it is not controlled in time, it may lead to new infections. For example, a secondary bacterial infection could develop, and there is also a possibility that a cold in the upper respiratory tract could progress to the lower respiratory tract and cause pneumonia, which poses a significant risk. When choosing medications, we generally need to opt for those safe for infants, and avoid any medications contraindicated for infants. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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What should I do if I feel miserable with a cold?

First, it is important to correctly understand the common cold and not to be overly stressed mentally or emotionally. The common cold is a respiratory infectious disease caused by viral infection, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, dry throat, cough, headache, dizziness, fever, and fatigue. Appropriate symptomatic treatment medications should be primarily used. For instance, antipyretic analgesics can be taken for fever, and it is also advisable to drink plenty of water, avoid staying up late, and eat more vegetables and fruits. If nasal congestion and runny nose are severe, medications that suppress gland secretion can be taken for symptomatic treatment.

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Stages of Cold Symptoms

The symptoms of a cold generally fall into three stages. Initially, the symptoms of a cold may be mild or even absent, such as slight sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion. In such cases, it is advised to drink plenty of water, promote excretion, and improve immunity, as the early symptoms are often mild or not obvious and hence overlooked. Later, the symptoms of a cold get more severe. During the mid-stage of a cold, symptoms may worsen, including cough, phlegm, sore or swollen throat, or itchy and dry throat. Body temperature may also rise slightly. At this stage, it is recommended to actively follow a doctor's advice and take appropriate anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medication, along with fever-reducing and cough-relieving drugs to alleviate the symptoms. In the later stages of a cold, symptoms may improve, for example, the phlegm may turn yellow and the headaches and fever may subside. Under these conditions, it is sufficient to continue taking medication under a doctor’s guidance for treatment.

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How to physically reduce fever for a cold caused by wind-cold

Patients with wind-cold common cold who have a fever can apply a hot towel to their forehead, use moxibustion, or soak their feet in warm water, all of which can help reduce their temperature effectively. Moreover, in terms of diet, it is essential to avoid greasy and cold foods, as well as carbonated drinks and strong tea. It is best to eat light, easily digestible foods, and drink more jasmine tea or chrysanthemum tea, which can dispel wind and cold, achieving effective improvement. Medication can also be taken to provide timely and rapid treatment.