Summer colds: hot compress or cold compress?

Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

Updated on May 02, 2025

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Summer is a time when the weather is relatively hot, which often leads to heat-induced colds. Patients with this condition may experience varying degrees of fever. When the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, local cold compresses are advisable, especially in areas like the armpits and groin.

If the patient also experiences varying degrees of chills at this time, alcohol rub baths can be used for timely and effective fever reduction. Therefore, cold compresses are usually the method of choice for patients with summer colds, especially for infants and young children with high fever-induced convulsions. Applying cold compresses to the head can be more effective in reducing the temperature.

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The common cold, clinically known as an upper respiratory tract infection, typically presents with symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Generally, the body temperature of these patients is around 38°C, though it can be higher. This is due to the fact that colds are caused by infections from various pathogens, and the severity can depend on the patient's immune competence. Patients with weaker immune systems may experience more pronounced symptoms of colds and fevers. Furthermore, body temperatures caused by some viral infections tend to be quite high. For these patients, sometimes their body temperature does not increase. Specifically, the body temperature for a common cold can vary from person to person.

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The difference between wind-heat cold and wind-cold cold

The pathogenic factors of Wind-Heat cold and Wind-Cold cold are different in traditional Chinese medicine. Wind-Heat cold is considered to be caused by the pathogenic factor of wind-heat, whereas Wind-Cold cold is considered to be caused by the pathogenic factor of wind-cold. The symptoms of the two also differ: Wind-Heat cold often involves obvious fever and a less pronounced fear of cold, while Wind-Cold cold definitely includes a sensation of chilliness, which may or may not accompany a fever. Both types involve symptoms of nasal congestion and a runny nose; however, the nasal discharge in Wind-Heat cold is often yellow and turbid, whereas in Wind-Cold cold, it is typically clear. Wind-Heat cold often accompanies a sore throat, whereas a sore throat is rare in cases of Wind-Cold cold. The treatments for the two also differ: Wind-Heat cold is typically treated by resolving the exterior and clearing heat, while Wind-Cold cold is treated by resolving the exterior and expelling cold.

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Can you drink milk when you have a cold?

Patients with a cold can drink milk in moderation. For a cold, it is advisable to eat a light diet and avoid spicy, stimulating, and greasy food. However, it is appropriate to consume some protein-rich foods, such as lean meat and egg whites. During a cold, you can drink a small amount of milk, but it should not be consumed in large quantities. Since milk contains a lot of protein, and the immune system of patients with a cold is weakened, their absorption capacity is reduced. Drinking too much milk can be hard to absorb, thereby increasing the burden on gastrointestinal functions, making it easier to produce phlegm. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink a lot of milk if the cold is severe.

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Can a baby swim when they have a cold?

If the baby has a cold, it is not recommended to go swimming. A cold, also known as acute upper respiratory tract infection, is the most common illness in children. It primarily manifests as inflammation of the nasal, nasopharyngeal, and pharyngeal mucosa, which can lead to rhinitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis, among others. The majority of colds are caused by viruses and bacteria, with 90% being viral infections. During this period, a child's resistance is generally weaker. Therefore, in such cases, it is advisable for the child to rest more, drink plenty of water, and avoid vigorous activities. Hence, it is not recommended for children to go swimming in this situation; they should rest more instead.

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How to relieve cold, nasal congestion, and chest tightness?

Patients like those with a common cold are often seen in populations with weakened immune systems. They may develop various symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing due to carelessness in exposure to cold, and infection by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens. Additionally, if patients already suffer from bronchial asthma, infections by viruses or bacteria can trigger an asthma attack at any time. Therefore, when such patients experience symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose, they may also experience chest tightness and shortness of breath. To alleviate these symptoms, it is important first to identify the causative factor of the chest tightness and shortness of breath. If it is due to a cold leading to an episode of chronic bronchitis, then the chest tightness and shortness of breath can be managed by timely administering anti-infective, cough-suppressing, expectorant, and antiviral medications. Once the symptoms of the upper respiratory tract infection are effectively controlled, medications that relieve bronchospasm can be appropriately used to ease the condition.