What should I do if I have a cold and a sore throat?

Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
Updated on January 22, 2025
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In cases of colds with sore throats, appropriate measures should be taken based on the specific condition. A cold with a sore throat may be caused by a viral infection. For viral colds, there are usually no specific treatments, and symptomatic pain relief treatment is often needed, along with adequate hydration and proper intake of fruits and other related measures. Additionally, a sore throat from a cold could also be a bacterial infection, such as acute purulent tonsillitis, which is a type of bacterial cold. Patients with acute purulent tonsillitis often experience significant throat pain, swollen tonsils with purulent secretions on the surface, and may also have a fever. For acute purulent tonsillitis, not only is symptomatic treatment necessary, but also the use of sensitive antibiotics is required.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
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Can scraping (gua sha) cure a cold?

Gua sha cannot cure a cold, but it helps with recovery from a cold. This is because gua sha can reduce internal heat, promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and improve the body's metabolism. To cure a cold, it is still necessary to use cold medicines or anti-inflammatory drugs to achieve a healing effect. During treatment, it is also important to drink more water, urinate frequently, and engage in physical exercise to effectively promote sweating, which can improve the situation. After catching a cold, it is advisable to rest and avoid excessive fatigue. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding stimulating and cold food. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
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Can you eat zongzi when you have a cold?

During a cold, it is appropriate to eat some zongzi, but it is recommended not to eat ones that are too sweet. Colds are very common and are considered upper respiratory infections. Generally, most colds are viral infections and this condition typically lasts about a week before it resolves on its own. There are many factors that can trigger a cold, whether it is a viral infection, bacterial infection, or a common virus and some influenza viruses causing upper respiratory infections, patients generally may experience varying degrees of fever. Therefore, it is advised that patients with a cold should avoid eating overly sweet zongzi and preferably eat plain zongzi or those of other flavors. As some patients with a cold may have a fever that could affect normal digestive function, it is advisable to maintain a light diet during a cold, and eating a small amount of zongzi is acceptable.

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Can pregnant women eat eggs when they have a cold?

When pregnant women catch a cold, it is acceptable to eat eggs; having a cold does not mean one must avoid eggs. However, due to the weakened gastrointestinal function in women during a cold, it is important to consume light foods and those that are easy to digest and absorb, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. Eggs are relatively easy to digest and are high in protein. Eating eggs during pregnancy, especially when sick, can help enhance the body's resistance. Additionally, it is important to drink plenty of water, rest, and consume fruits rich in Vitamin C or drink fresh fruit juices to supplement Vitamin C and boost the body's resistance. Generally, a cold is self-limiting and should resolve on its own within about a week.

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Can you swim with a mild cold?

Mild colds in clinical settings, like in patients whose symptoms are not very severe and who do not have a fever, allow for activities like swimming during summer, especially for those suffering from heat-related colds. However, in winter, even with a mild cold, it's advisable not to swim due to the relatively lower temperature of the water in pools compared to normal temperatures. Instead, choosing other forms of exercise to boost the immune system is recommended during the cold winter months. Therefore, for patients with mild colds, it’s also important to assess the type of cold to decide whether swimming is appropriate.

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What medicine is effective for a cold and cough?

Coughing after catching a cold is a common symptom. If the cough is caused by the cold itself, it is often due to heightened sensitivity in the airways. In such cases, cough suppressants can be used for symptomatic treatment, along with other medications that reduce airway sensitivity. Coughing from a cold can also be caused by a secondary bacterial infection, which, apart from symptomatic treatment with cough medicine, requires treatment with antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins, under the guidance of a physician. Additionally, it is important to rest, drink plenty of water, and eat a light diet to facilitate recovery.