Common cold

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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How to treat a cold with nasal congestion and dry cough?

The common cold is a very common inflammatory condition clinically, generally caused by viral infections, hence, the treatment for such patients usually needs to focus on antiviral medications. Most viral colds cause varying degrees of nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and even dry cough and itchy throat among other clinical symptoms. For such patients, treatment begins by identifying the specific pathogens causing the cold. If it is a virus, timely administration of heat-clearing and detoxifying medications is necessary, along with the appropriate use of traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose. For symptoms such as nasal congestion and dry cough, appropriate use of cough suppressant medications or nebulized inhalation may be chosen to provide symptomatic relief, with treatment effects generally being ideal around three days.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Quick relief for sore throat due to cold

We know that the common cold is caused by a viral infection, and currently, there are no specifically effective drugs for treatment. After experiencing a cold and sore throat, the following measures can help alleviate symptoms quickly. First, it is important to rest, avoid getting chilled, drink plenty of water, and eat light meals. Avoid spicy and irritating foods, and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol, as these are beneficial for recovery. Secondly, medications can be used to reduce symptoms. For example, compound cold medicines, antipyretic analgesics, and some traditional Chinese medicine lozenges or patent medicines can be used to relieve symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Precautions for Wind-Heat Colds

For individuals with wind-heat colds, it is important to avoid consuming overly hot or overly spicy foods, as well as overly cold foods. Care should also be taken not to overheat oneself; do not cover oneself with blankets to induce sweating, as this can exacerbate the condition. It is recommended that those suffering from wind-heat colds drink more plain water to help regulate the body, or consume honey water regularly, which can also effectively aid in regulation. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid eating overly hard foods, refrain from staying up late, and ensure ample sleep to aid in faster recovery and improvement.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Symptoms of a cold in a baby over 40 days old

The symptoms of a cold in a baby over 40 days old are definitely different from those in adults. Parents should observe whether the baby's behavior has changed. For example, if the baby becomes noticeably fussy or irritable, especially while sleeping, or if the baby has nasal congestion, a runny nose, or sneezing, these could be signs. Also, if the baby drools bubbles at the corners of the mouth while sleeping quietly, breathes noticeably faster, vomits milk after feeding more frequently than usual, or if there is an increase in the frequency and looseness of stools and bloating, these may indicate a cold. If cold symptoms appear, please seek medical attention promptly, as babies have weaker immune systems and their conditions can progress quickly. Without timely intervention, it is easy for the condition to develop into pneumonia.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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Is gastroenteritis contagious?

Gastrointestinal cold is a type of common cold, mainly caused by Coxsackie virus. Its main symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, etc. Gastrointestinal cold is generally non-contagious. A contagious illness is generally referred to as influenza, which is caused by the influenza virus and can lead to widespread outbreaks.

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Written by Long Guan Han
Pulmonology
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What should I do if my cold doesn't get better?

The common cold generally follows a process. Eighty percent of common colds start as viral colds, characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and other catarrhal symptoms. Generally, after three to five days, these catarrhal symptoms gradually disappear, as the virus is self-limiting. If the symptoms do not improve after three to five days and are accompanied by coughing, purulent sputum, and fever, it may have progressed to a bacterial cold, which requires antibiotic treatment. When we commonly refer to a persistent cold, we mainly refer to a cough. Some people might experience a cold for more than ten days, or repeatedly suffer from a dry cough. At this time, it's not that their cold hasn't healed; rather, it's because the respiratory tract has been damaged and needs time to recover. Typically, this kind of irritating dry cough without sputum generally lasts for a while.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to relieve nasal congestion in children with a cold

Nasal congestion is a common symptom of a cold in children. When the congestion is severe, it can affect the child's daily life, making breathing uncomfortable and causing the child to become irritable. Therefore, it is important to address it promptly. First, ensure the child drinks plenty of water and you can apply a warm towel to the base of the nose. If there is a lot of nasal discharge, it should be cleaned out timely. You can use physiological saline to rinse the nasal cavity, thereby keeping the nasal passages clear. You can also give the child some cold medicine for children, which can completely relieve the nasal congestion. These are some specific methods on how to deal with nasal congestion during a child's cold, which you can try.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What to do when a one-year-old baby has a cold?

For treating a cold in a one-year-old baby, we mainly handle symptoms as they appear. If the baby has only occasional mild coughing or a slight fever, if they can eat and drink, and if their spirits are good, then parents don't need to worry too much, and special treatment generally isn't necessary. However, if the baby has a severe cough that affects their breathing, a fever over 38 degrees Celsius, and their spirits are not good, it is important to take the baby to the hospital for timely treatment. It's important to emphasize that parents should not arbitrarily use medications to treat the baby, as many cold medicines intended for adults should not be used for babies.