Which one causes body aches, bacterial cold or viral cold?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on November 04, 2024
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Bacterial colds and viral colds are named after the different microorganisms that cause the symptoms of colds. The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, pharynx, and larynx. Usually, when the body's resistance decreases or one is overly fatigued, it is very easy to be infected by external pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. However, when bacteria infect the human body, most of the symptoms are mainly concentrated in the nasopharyngeal area and do not spread throughout the body. On the other hand, viral colds are different. After infecting the human body, in addition to causing respiratory symptoms, viral colds also cause general discomfort throughout the body, such as headaches, limb weakness, muscle soreness, joint pain, and can even lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Thus, viral colds produce more severe whole-body symptoms.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What to eat for a child with a cold?

If a child's cold is considered to be caused by a viral infection, it is important to monitor the baby's temperature and mental response, among other factors. If the child does not have a fever, or only has a low fever and is in good spirits, simply monitoring the baby’s condition and ensuring they drink plenty of warm water and eat light, easily digestible foods is sufficient, with no other special requirements needed. However, some colds, such as those with persistent high fever, lethargy, and poor responsiveness, are more serious and require immediate attention. It is crucial to visit the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment in these cases. Sometimes, the impact of a cold should not be underestimated, as diseases like myocarditis and intracranial infections can initially be triggered by a cold. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis is necessary to make a judgement, and treatment should proceed under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of a stomach cold?

Gastrointestinal flu primarily manifests symptoms of both the common cold and the gastrointestinal tract, predominantly with gastrointestinal symptoms, accompanied by symptoms of a cold, such as fever, headache, dizziness, and general body aches. The gastrointestinal symptoms mainly include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to significant loss of electrolytes and water in the body, causing shock and electrolyte imbalances. This may present as shock, sweating all over the body, profuse sweating, pale complexion, and arrhythmias, among others.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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How to treat a cold caused by air conditioning

Using air conditioning with excessively low temperatures can cause upper respiratory tract infections. Clinically, these patients are often seen in the hot summer months and may exhibit varying degrees of fever, nasal congestion, and runny nose, with some having yellowish nasal discharge. They may also experience sore throat, coughing, and coughing up yellow phlegm. For the treatment of such patients, it is often necessary to administer appropriate heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines. Treatment should be based on the patient's body temperature; if the temperature is excessively high, antipyretic medications should be administered promptly. If the body temperature is relatively low, not exceeding 38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used along with patent medicines to clear heat and detoxify as symptomatic treatments. These can effectively alleviate the cold symptoms caused by air conditioning.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can a cold cause dizziness?

Colds can cause symptoms such as dizziness, as well as possible runny nose, sneezing, dryness in the throat, foreign body sensation, sore and weak limbs, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are common clinical manifestations caused by a cold. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much if dizziness occurs during a cold. Drinking plenty of water, resting, and observing can generally help. Choosing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief medication can also alleviate the symptoms of dizziness. Eating foods rich in vitamin C, avoiding staying up late, and consuming a light, easy-to-digest diet can aid in the recovery from a cold.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to relieve nasal congestion in children with a cold

Nasal congestion is a common symptom of a cold in children. When the congestion is severe, it can affect the child's daily life, making breathing uncomfortable and causing the child to become irritable. Therefore, it is important to address it promptly. First, ensure the child drinks plenty of water and you can apply a warm towel to the base of the nose. If there is a lot of nasal discharge, it should be cleaned out timely. You can use physiological saline to rinse the nasal cavity, thereby keeping the nasal passages clear. You can also give the child some cold medicine for children, which can completely relieve the nasal congestion. These are some specific methods on how to deal with nasal congestion during a child's cold, which you can try.