Can you swim with a cold?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on March 17, 2025
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Colds, also known as upper respiratory infections, generally occur because the patient's immune function is weakened, leading to the condition. Many patients catch a cold due to exposure to cold, while others are infected by people with colds due to weakened immune function.

For patients with a cold who do not have a fever, we generally recommend engaging in appropriate exercise, which can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. For instance, if a cold occurs during the cold winter months, swimming and participating in similar physical activities can be beneficial for enhancing the patient's immune function and aiding in quicker recovery from the illness. Therefore, it is acceptable for patients with a cold to swim.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What should you avoid eating when you have a cold and fever?

There are many foods that should not be consumed during a fever caused by a cold, such as spicy foods including chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, onions, ginger, and garlic. Avoid these items, as well as fried foods, foods high in fat, overly sweet foods, and overly sour foods, for example, fried foods, pork belly, pig head meat, or some candies, creams, cheeses, and pastries. Furthermore, attention should also be given to avoiding carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, strong tea, and coffee. The diet should be light with the option to consume things like millet porridge, vegetable porridge, or some freshly squeezed juices to provide vitamins and enhance body resistance, helping to expedite recovery from cold and fever symptoms. During a fever, it is important to monitor body temperature. If it exceeds 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication should be taken; otherwise, physical cooling methods can be sufficient.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of a cold in children

The symptoms of a minor cold most commonly involve fever in children, accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, and coughing. Some may also experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and even symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. The symptoms can vary for each child. Some babies with a cold may only show symptoms like a runny nose, mild cough, and nasal congestion. Others might present with recurrent high fever, lethargy, and even vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to adopt appropriate treatment measures tailored to each specific cause of the illness.

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Written by Wu Shu Jie
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to use moxibustion for wind-heat cold?

Patients with colds caused by wind-cold can choose moxibustion at the Fengchi point, located 1.5 cm lateral to the midline in the depression formed by the occipital bone and cervical spine at the back of the head. The Dazhui point is located on the neck, in the depression below the seventh cervical vertebra, and the Hegu point is located at the tiger's mouth on the back of the hand. Moxibustion uses the warmth of the moxa fire to stimulate the Dazhui, Hegu, and Fengchi points to accelerate local blood circulation, promote cell metabolism, invigorate blood to dissolve stasis, expel wind and disperse cold, accelerate the expulsion of cold from the body, regulate endocrine functions, harmonize qi and blood, improve body functions, and increase the patient's immunity. This can effectively alleviate the patient's cold symptoms caused by wind-cold. It is recommended to keep warm and rest after treatment.

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What can you eat with a stomach flu?

Gastrointestinal colds are caused by Coxsackie virus infection. Patients can eat more vegetables and fruits to supplement plant-based fiber and hydrate. Eating nutritious foods such as beef and mutton can help replenish energy and enhance resistance. Staple foods should be soft, such as rice soup, noodle soup, and vegetable soup. It is important to note that spicy and irritating foods should be avoided, and the consumption of strong tea, coffee, and alcohol should be minimized during the cold.

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What should I do if I have a cold and my nose is itchy?

Itchy nose due to cold is caused by viral infection leading to swelling of the nasal mucosa, which causes symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing. One should choose to take vitamin supplements and drugs that suppress gland secretion for symptomatic treatment. It is also recommended to drink plenty of hot water and maintain a suitable indoor temperature and humidity. Dietary considerations should include avoiding spicy foods like chili peppers, seafood, overly sour, cold, or spicy foods. During the acute phase, under the guidance of a doctor, one may choose to take vitamin C tablets, cetirizine hydrochloride dispersible tablets for symptomatic treatment. If accompanied by fever symptoms with a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, acetaminophen tablets can be taken for fever reduction. The main principle of treatment is symptomatic treatment, drinking plenty of water, and it may also be combined with antiviral medication therapy.