The order of cold symptoms

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 05, 2025
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The order of symptoms for a cold is not fixed and varies from person to person. Typical symptoms include clear runny nose, tearing, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, headache, and dizziness. As the condition progresses, it may lead to whole-body muscle soreness and possibly symptoms of hypoxia such as coughing, expectoration, difficulty breathing, and cyanosis of the lips. The discomfort caused by a cold is primarily treated symptomatically in clinical practice. It is also advised to drink plenty of water to promote metabolism.

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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 Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What to do if you have a cold and a headache?

After catching a cold, symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and fever may occur, and many patients also experience headaches. What should be done about headaches after a cold? First, it is important to rest, ensure sufficient sleep, drink plenty of water, and keep the room well-ventilated to aid in recovery. Additionally, symptomatic treatment with medications might be used, such as antipyretic analgesics, multi-symptom cold remedies, and corresponding traditional Chinese medicines. These medications can help alleviate headache symptoms.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you eat crab after taking cold medicine when you have a cold?

It is recommended not to eat crab after taking cold medicine. Because crabs are aquatic animals and are considered cold in nature. During a cold, it is best to avoid overly cold foods, pay attention to rest, drink more warm fluids, and follow a light, easy-to-digest diet, and to take medicine on schedule. Although eating crab will not cause poisoning, it can decrease the effectiveness of cold medicine, thereby prolonging the duration of the cold. If the cold improves, crabs can be consumed in small amounts.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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What should a pregnant woman do if she has a cold and feels excessive internal heat?

What should pregnant women do after catching a cold and feeling excessive internal heat? Since it is inconvenient for pregnant women to take medicine, they should try to relieve the symptoms by drinking more water and urinating more. In addition to drinking plain water, pear juice can be consumed by boiling pears with some rock sugar, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of excessive internal heat. Additionally, mung bean soup with some rock sugar can also be a good beverage to reduce internal heat. If these treatments are not effective, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Do you need to take medicine for a cold with nasal congestion?

Nasal congestion due to a cold is very common in clinical practice. The need for medication depends on the type of cold and the patient's own immune function. If the patient has a cold caused by a viral infection and the symptoms are not severe, or if the patient generally likes to exercise and is young, a mild cold may not require medication and can heal on its own within about a week. For children or elderly individuals with weaker resistance, when an upper respiratory infection occurs, it is advisable to administer some medication for symptomatic treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and to avoid unnecessary complications.