Symptoms of a cold

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on March 15, 2025
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If it's just a common cold, then the symptoms are relatively mild, consisting only of some sneezing, a runny nose, and nasal congestion. However, if bacterial or viral infections are involved, the symptoms become more severe. A common cold is self-limiting and usually resolves itself in about seven days without the need for medical intervention. If a viral infection is causing the cold, the onset of symptoms is typically sudden and may include fever, cough, expectoration, headache, body aches, and fatigue. It is also important to note that in such cases, treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor and may involve taking medication. Physically cooling methods or fever-reducing drugs may be used to reduce fever. Bacterial infections can also cause symptoms like cough, expectoration, and fever, and it is advised to actively treat these symptoms appropriately.

Other Voices

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What should I do if I have body aches and a cold?

Patients with a cold may experience widespread body aches, as colds lead to the release of inflammatory mediators, which cause these aches. To treat this condition, one can first use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain, while also treating the cold. If the patient has influenza, antiviral drugs can be used during the acute phase of the illness, followed by medications that improve symptoms, such as antihistamines. Additionally, if there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be utilized. It is also important to rest, drink plenty of water, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and maintain a light diet. Colds generally have a certain self-limiting nature, and most can effectively recover within one to two weeks. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Can you eat crab when you have a cold?

Generally speaking, it is okay to eat crab when you have a cold. Crab contains rich nutrients that can enhance one's physique, improve immunity, and strengthen the body's ability to resist viruses. However, it is important to control the amount consumed. Crabs, being aquatic animals, are quite cold in nature. During a cold, the body's constitution is relatively weak, and the gastrointestinal function is not very good. Eating too much crab can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, which is not conducive to the recovery from a cold. During a cold, it is advisable to eat some light fruits and vegetables.

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What is lung-heat cold?

For those experiencing a cold due to lung heat, the main symptoms include excessive phlegm, sore throat, and a runny nose. It is essential to address this condition promptly. Improvements can be made through dietary changes, such as consuming foods that reduce lung heat. It is best to take treatment medication promptly for effective relief and improvement. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid excessive fatigue and refrain from consuming too cold or irritating foods. A lighter diet, including more celery and tomatoes, is recommended.

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Symptoms of a cold caused by wind-cold

The so-called common cold, which is often referred to as the common cold, is divided from the perspective of Chinese medicine into heat-type colds and cold-type colds. A wind-cold cold refers to the symptoms that occur when a patient is exposed to wind and cold causing viruses or other pathogens to enter the respiratory tract, characterized by fever, headache, runny nose—often clear mucus—along with coughing and an itchy throat. Thus, in clinical practice, for patients with a wind-cold cold, if symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing occur, it is appropriate to use heat-clearing, detoxifying, and antiviral medications according to the patient's symptoms for symptomatic treatment. The discomfort caused by the wind-cold cold can be effectively controlled.

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Do cold medicines affect menstruation?

Cold medicine itself does not affect menstruation, but having a cold can affect your constitution, which can influence your menstrual cycle. Many factors can impact menstruation, such as physical condition, excessive staying up late, fatigue, high stress, or extreme dieting or gaining weight. If your period is delayed, the first thing to consider is whether you might be pregnant, and then consider other factors that might cause the delay. If it is delayed by a week, you must first perform a pregnancy test.