Is a cold contagious in summer?

Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
Updated on May 03, 2025
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Summer colds can also be contagious. Colds in the summer are usually viral colds, which are generally contagious. Viral colds often involve viruses such as rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, human metapneumoviruses, and coronaviruses, all of which are contagious. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive measures against summer colds to prevent the spread to family members, such as maintaining a certain social distance, and covering your mouth and nose with an arm or tissue when coughing to reduce the spread of viral droplets. These practices help prevent the transmission of colds. Additionally, washing hands frequently and paying attention to hand hygiene also aid in preventing the spread of colds.

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Written by Wang Xiu Mei
Obstetrics
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What should I do if I catch a cold during the postpartum confinement period?

If a pregnant woman catches a cold and it is not very severe, conservative treatment can be considered. On one hand, medication can be taken under the guidance of an obstetrician. On the other hand, during the early stages of a cold, one can drink more water and keep warm. Maintain good air circulation indoors. If symptoms are severe, oral administration of medicines such as Xiao Chai Hu Granules and Bai Lan Gen Granules can help alleviate the condition. In terms of diet, it should be light and easy to digest. Avoid crowded public places, wear masks when going out, and reduce contact with people who have colds to cut off the source of infection. Once a pregnant woman catches a cold, it is crucial to rest. Do not overwork, drink plenty of water, and avoid certain foods. Seek medical attention in a timely manner and follow the doctor's instructions for medication, without self-medicating.

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Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Can you eat watermelon when you have a cold caused by wind-cold?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that the common cold caused by wind-cold primarily occurs when the body's resistance is weakened, and the body is exposed to the pathogenic influences of wind and cold. These influences then linger within the body producing a series of symptoms. To treat a cold caused by wind-cold, it is appropriate to take medicines that expel wind and dispel cold. This means using warm-natured medicines to regulate and cure the cold. Therefore, during this time, one should not eat watermelon. Watermelon has cooling properties, which can cause the wind-cold to remain within the body instead of being expelled, potentially worsening the symptoms of the cold. Hence, eating watermelon should be avoided when suffering from a wind-cold type of cold.

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Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
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How to treat a baby's cold fever

Children's heat colds generally occur in the summer when the weather is hot, and the following methods can be used to manage it: First, give the child an appropriate amount of warm water to drink. When a child catches a cold, they will consume too much water from their body. At this time, replenishing water can improve the child's symptoms. Second, take some antipyretic and heat-clearing drugs. These drugs are effective in alleviating symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, and cough caused by heat colds. Third, if the child develops throat inflammation, nasal congestion, and yellow nasal discharge after catching a cold, this might be a bacterial infection. Cephalosporin antibiotics can be used, but it is best to take the child to the hospital for tests like a complete blood count and other examinations. Only after confirming the indications for antibiotic use should antibiotic treatment be administered.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Chills and dizziness are symptoms of what kind of cold?

Chills and dizziness are just symptoms of a common cold, which clinically is categorized into wind-cold, wind-heat, and summer-heat colds. In both wind-cold and wind-heat colds, symptoms of chills and dizziness can appear. When distinguishing between them, generally, a wind-cold cold presents more severe chills but milder fever, and symptoms may include dizziness and covered sweat. Note that sweating while covered is a symptom of wind-cold colds. Other symptoms include headache, sore limbs, and a floating-tight pulse, characteristic of a wind-cold cold. In wind-heat colds, chills and dizziness also occur, but the chills are milder and the fever is more intense. Symptoms include sweating, unresolved heat, dizziness, headache or a sense of swelling, flushed face, red eyes, and signs of heat such as dry mouth, preference for cold drinks, a thin yellow tongue coating, and a floating-rapid pulse. Therefore, in addition to observing chills and dizziness, other clinical symptoms must be considered to determine whether the cold is of the wind-cold or wind-heat type.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How many days does it take for a stomach cold to get better?

Gastroenteritis, also known as gastro flu, is caused by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract which leads to a cold. This condition presents both gastrointestinal and cold symptoms, including nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, runny nose, and general weakness. The primary treatments involve using cold medications and antibiotics. Recovery usually occurs gradually over about a week. During the treatment period, it is crucial to follow a light diet, ensure proper nutrition, get plenty of rest, and drink additional water to stay hydrated.