What to eat when you have a cold and fever

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 29, 2025
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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 Li Jian Wu
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Can you play ball with a cold?

If you have a cold, your body may experience chills. Playing sports can cause you to sweat, which helps to expel sweat and toxins and is beneficial for the recovery from a cold. However, be careful not to engage in excessive activity. It is appropriate to do some physical exercises and pay attention to keeping warm to avoid catching a cold again. After exercising, it is important to rehydrate promptly, drink more water to facilitate the elimination of toxins through urination. It's beneficial to eat more fruits and vegetables to replenish nutrients and enhance your physical condition. After exercising, remember to rest and take care of your health.

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Why do I catch a cold again after just getting over one?

Repeated colds indicate that the body has weak immunity, making it susceptible to repeated infections by cold viruses, leading to symptoms of a cold. Therefore, it is important to regularly exercise, get more sunlight, balance work and rest, and develop good living habits. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and staying up late; ensure sufficient sleep to allow the body to recover. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits and consume more protein-rich foods, such as milk, beef, and lean meats, to enhance the body's resistance. It is crucial to keep warm, especially during weather changes, to avoid catching cold. Adjust your clothing accordingly and try to avoid crowded places during the cold season. If you must visit these places, it is advisable to wear a mask.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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What should a girl do if she catches a cold?

What should a woman do if she catches a cold? Clinically, the treatment of colds does not differ by gender, and the principles of treatment are the same. It mainly involves symptomatic treatment, drinking plenty of water, and using antiviral medications as needed. If a woman is on her period, she should take extra precautions, keep warm, avoid eating cold-natured fruits such as pears, grapes, and watermelon, and drink more ginger and brown sugar water. If fever is present, she can choose to take antipyretic analgesics for symptomatic treatment.

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Can you drink alcohol when you have a cold?

You should not drink alcohol when you have a cold. Drinking alcohol during a cold often exacerbates the clinical symptoms of the cold, worsening the condition, and may even increase complications in some patients. Cold sufferers often experience marked upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, and some may also feel generally unwell. Drinking alcohol can exacerbate these respiratory symptoms and sometimes lead to bacterial infections due to lowered immune defenses, resulting in acute suppurative tonsillitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other conditions. Moreover, drinking alcohol when you have a cold can trigger gastrointestinal disturbances, especially in patients with gastrointestinal-type colds, noticeably worsening symptoms such as nausea, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. In cases of severe colds, where patients take oral cold medications, drinking alcohol can increase the adverse reactions of these medications, causing significant discomfort. Some bacterial colds require antibiotic treatment, especially oral cephalosporin antibiotics, where drinking alcohol may induce a disulfiram-like reaction; therefore, it is prohibited for cold sufferers to drink alcohol.

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What to do if you feel nauseous from a cold during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, if one experiences symptoms such as cold and nausea, it is primarily considered to be a gastrointestinal type of cold. In addition to the common cold symptoms, there may also be some gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, acid reflux, belching, or common issues such as constipation or diarrhea. It is advised to pay attention to this condition. Apart from taking medication for the cold, it is also necessary to take some medicine to regulate the spleen and stomach to treat this condition. During the period of symptom relief, keep the abdomen warm, avoid exposure to cold and drafts, drink more water, promote excretion, and enhance resistance. Additionally, it's important to eat smaller and more frequent meals, not eat too much at once, chew food thoroughly, and avoid overburdening the intestines to prevent indigestion.