The difference between heat cold and cold cold in children

Written by Zhang Cui Xiang
Pediatrics
Updated on February 02, 2025
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When children catch a cold, parents can use the following methods to determine whether it is a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. Parents can observe the child's nasal discharge. Generally, children with a cold have a runny nose. If the discharge is clear, it usually indicates a wind-cold cold. If the nasal discharge is thick and somewhat yellow, it suggests a wind-heat cold. Starting with clear nasal discharge and then turning yellow indicates that the child has inflammation. Parents can also judge by observing how much the child is bothered by the cold. Generally, a wind-cold cold will show more obvious signs of being chilly, with an increase in body temperature, while a wind-heat cold doesn't show chilly symptoms as noticeably, or may not show any at all. It is important to watch for signs of the child shivering. Based on these identification methods, parents must timely administer appropriate medication to treat the child's symptoms.

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Can you exercise when you have a cold?

After catching a cold, it is appropriate to engage in some mild exercise, such as walking or slow-paced walking. It is crucial not to partake in intense physical activities as they can lead to fatigue and a decrease in immunity, potentially worsening bacterial infections. Moreover, intense exercise can cause the sweat pores to expand, further aggravating cold symptoms. After a cold, the body tends to be weaker, so it is advisable to drink more ginger sugar water, rest adequately, and avoid spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. Drinking plenty of water is also important. If there are symptoms of fever, physical methods should be used to reduce the fever.

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Can children take a bath when they have a cold?

Children with colds can take baths, but care should be strengthened during the bath to avoid catching cold, thus preventing the symptoms of the cold from worsening. Since a cold in children is an infectious disease, bathing can keep the child's skin clean and make the child feel comfortable. Appropriate water temperature is beneficial for promoting blood circulation in babies and speeding up metabolism, which is conducive to the recovery of the baby's condition. However, if warming is not promptly ensured during the bath, or if the water temperature is too low or too high, it can cause repeated or even worsened symptoms of the cold in babies. Therefore, parents must pay attention to some nursing details during the bath.

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What should I drink for a cold and cough?

For a cold accompanied by coughing, it is appropriate to drink some rock sugar pear water, or some stewed Fritillaria pear, or some fruit juice and vegetable juice. Drinking mung bean soup can also have a certain cough-relieving effect. Additionally, it is recommended to appropriately consume loquat pear or some honey water. Pay attention to a light diet, avoiding spicy and greasy, stimulating foods. During the coughing period, avoid seafood such as fish and shrimp, and also avoid insect-based foods. Also avoid overly sour, overly sweet, or overly greasy foods. At the same time, keep warm, avoid exposure to wind and cold, refrain from intense exercise, and engage in appropriate activities to strengthen the physique and enhance resistance.

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Stages of Cold Symptoms

The symptoms of a cold generally fall into three stages. Initially, the symptoms of a cold may be mild or even absent, such as slight sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion. In such cases, it is advised to drink plenty of water, promote excretion, and improve immunity, as the early symptoms are often mild or not obvious and hence overlooked. Later, the symptoms of a cold get more severe. During the mid-stage of a cold, symptoms may worsen, including cough, phlegm, sore or swollen throat, or itchy and dry throat. Body temperature may also rise slightly. At this stage, it is recommended to actively follow a doctor's advice and take appropriate anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medication, along with fever-reducing and cough-relieving drugs to alleviate the symptoms. In the later stages of a cold, symptoms may improve, for example, the phlegm may turn yellow and the headaches and fever may subside. Under these conditions, it is sufficient to continue taking medication under a doctor’s guidance for treatment.

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Is wind-cold common cold?

Wind-cold common cold is actually what is referred to as the common cold, primarily caused by exposure to cool air or catching cold. It mostly occurs in autumn and winter, and can easily lead to symptoms like a runny nose, cough, excessive phlegm, and body aches. For treatment, it is recommended to mainly use Western medicine, though Chinese medicine can also be effective. During treatment, the diet should consist mainly of warm foods, drinking more ginger sugar water or brown sugar water, which has the effect of expelling cold.