What to eat when you have a cold and fever?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on June 09, 2025
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For colds and fever, one should eat more ginger, drink more brown sugar water, or directly take ginger sugar water. Eat more millet porridge and green leafy vegetables and fruits, and try to drink more water to promote metabolism. Physical methods to reduce fever can also be adopted, or combined with the use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs to relieve the symptoms of fever. Generally, body temperature should be measured again two hours later. If the temperature does not decrease, it is necessary to go to the hospital in time for an examination and take other measures to reduce the fever and alleviate the symptoms. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What is good to eat when you have a cold?

For dietary considerations during a cold, it is generally advisable to eat light, consume more fruits and vegetables, and avoid spicy, greasy, raw, or cold natured foods. If the cold is severe, some cold medicines may be necessary to combat the virus. It's important to rest regularly and avoid excessive fatigue. Consuming foods like millet porridge, Eight-Treasure porridge, egg soup, and thin noodles can be beneficial as these foods are nutritious and do not burden the gastrointestinal tract, aiding in the recovery from a cold. When the body's immune function is compromised, viral infections may occur, necessitating antiviral medications for treatment.

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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The difference between bacterial cold and viral cold

The primary differences between bacterial colds and viral colds are as follows: Firstly, their pathogens are different. Bacterial colds are caused by bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to bacterial colds. Viral colds are caused by viral infections, including rhinovirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Secondly, their clinical symptoms also differ. Bacterial colds may present with high fever, coughing, and purulent sputum. In contrast, viral colds rarely involve a high fever, and typically include symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and coughing up white mucus. Thirdly, their treatment methods differ. Bacterial colds generally require anti-inflammatory medications, while viral colds are often treated with antiviral medications.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is a cold transmitted?

Colds are primarily transmitted through airborne droplets, as well as close contact with patients, shared utensils, and other means of transmission. This disease itself is a respiratory infection caused by viral infections, leading to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough. However, it is self-limiting, so there is no need for concern. Once sick, drink plenty of water, rest, treat symptoms accordingly, and prevent complications. To prevent colds, strengthen protection, avoid going out during the flu season, exercise regularly, and boost immunity.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Does having a cold and a runny nose detoxify the body?

After catching a cold, having a runny nose is a common symptom. In fact, the appearance of a runny nose is due to inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by the cold virus, and the runny nose is a symptom caused by inflammatory exudation. It is a manifestation of inflammation, not detoxification, and has nothing to do with the body detoxifying. In addition to a runny nose, other common symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, throat discomfort, coughing, fever, headaches, etc. After catching a cold, it is important to rest, avoid exposure to the cold, drink plenty of water, and ensure that the room is well-ventilated to aid recovery from the cold.

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Is a sore throat caused by a cold with wind-cold or a cold with wind-heat?

Sore throat may be caused by a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat, which are terms used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, from a Western medicine perspective, both wind-cold and wind-heat colds are caused by viral infections, and in rare cases, bacterial infections. When bacteria or viruses invade the respiratory tract's mucous membranes, especially the mucous membranes of the throat, it leads to congestion and swelling of the throat mucosa, increased exudation of inflammatory secretions, resulting in symptoms such as sore throat, throat discomfort, and coughing up phlegm. Therefore, a sore throat could be due to a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. In such cases, it is appropriate to take some anti-cold medications or some Chinese patent medicines to alleviate the symptoms.