How to treat a cold during pregnancy

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on November 05, 2024
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If you have symptoms of a cold while pregnant, it is advised not to self-medicate blindly. Always consult a physician and use medications that are relatively safer to treat the condition so as to prevent any potential impact on the fetus. This is particularly important during the first three months of pregnancy when the baby's development is still not complete, and indiscriminate use of some medications could possibly cause developmental abnormalities in the baby.

It is suggested that everyone should distinguish the type of cold they are experiencing, and then treat and alleviate symptoms through dietary therapy. For instance, for a cold caused by exposure to wind and chill, one might drink some brown sugar ginger tea or have a warm foot bath, both of which can expel the cold from the body, promote blood circulation, and relieve cold symptoms. If it's a cold caused by wind-heat, drinking herbal teas that clear heat and detoxify can be beneficial in alleviating the condition.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Is soaking feet and sweating good for a cold?

Soaking your feet and sweating is beneficial for a cold because there are many acupoints on the soles of the feet. Hot water can stimulate these acupoints after soaking your feet, promote blood circulation, and accelerate the speed of blood circulation in the body, which can cause the whole body to heat up and sweat. Therefore, foot soaking can have a very good therapeutic effect on colds, and sweating can remove toxins from the body, which can be expelled through the sweat on the skin surface, effectively speeding up the recovery from a cold. Therefore, it is advisable to persist in soaking your feet every night. It is also recommended to pay more attention to your diet in daily life, avoid eating spicy and stimulating food, and abstain from smoking and alcohol, which will help in recovery.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Can you donate blood if you have a cold?

You cannot donate blood when you have a cold, as colds are mostly caused by bacterial or viral infections, and donations are not allowed during this time. Before donating blood, a series of tests are required, and donation is not allowed when you are sick. Additionally, your immune system is generally weaker when you have a cold. Donating blood at this time could worsen the symptoms of the cold. After donating, your immunity could be even lower, making your body weaker, thus hindering the recovery from the cold. Therefore, you should not donate blood while having a cold. Wait until at least half a month after the symptoms have subsided before donating blood. Furthermore, you should eat lightly, avoiding spicy, greasy, raw, or irritating foods. Before donating blood, you should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and staying up late to ensure you get enough sleep and boost your immunity.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you exercise when you have a cold?

After catching a cold, it is appropriate to engage in some mild exercise, such as walking or slow-paced walking. It is crucial not to partake in intense physical activities as they can lead to fatigue and a decrease in immunity, potentially worsening bacterial infections. Moreover, intense exercise can cause the sweat pores to expand, further aggravating cold symptoms. After a cold, the body tends to be weaker, so it is advisable to drink more ginger sugar water, rest adequately, and avoid spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. Drinking plenty of water is also important. If there are symptoms of fever, physical methods should be used to reduce the fever.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What to eat when you have a cold and fever

When suffering from a cold and fever, it is advisable to consume more bland, soft foods that are rich in vitamins and high in fiber. For instance, drinking millet congee or vegetable congee can be beneficial. In terms of fruits and vegetables, options like apples, bananas, kiwi, tomatoes, mung bean sprouts, and carrots are recommended. Avoid overeating, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Foods like soy products, dairy, and eggs can be consumed in moderation. During the acute phase of a cold and fever, it is not recommended to eat meat or seafood, or consume irritating substances like chili peppers. It's better to drink more ginger tea with sugar. To alleviate fever symptoms, physical cooling or medication can be used.

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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How to differentiate between Wind-Cold Common Cold and Wind-Heat Common Cold

The differences between colds caused by wind-cold and those caused by wind-heat mainly lie in the symptoms. Colds caused by wind-cold are due to the invasion of wind-cold into the body, often as a result of exposure to cold environments. Common symptoms include chills, cold limbs, dizziness, fatigue, and coughing up white phlegm. On the other hand, colds caused by wind-heat occur due to the invasion of wind-heat, which frequently happens in the summer. Clinically, they are characterized by symptoms such as dark urine, coughing up pus-filled phlegm, high fever, headaches, and sore, swollen throat. Whether it is a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat, both can lead to related discomfort in the body and need active treatment and management to prevent the condition from worsening.