Common cold


Can I eat mangoes if I have a cold and a stuffy nose?
Colds belong to respiratory system diseases, and the factors causing colds in clinical settings are often due to low immune function in patients. A slight carelessness or getting chilled can lead to the invasion of viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens into the respiratory tract, causing inflammatory lesions. In clinical settings, patients with a cold often experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and some also have varying degrees of coughing. For patients with a cold, we recommend that they eat more foods high in vitamins. Especially fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, mangoes, strawberries, kiwis, and even watermelons, can all be appropriately consumed. Therefore, when a patient with a cold has nasal congestion, they can eat mangoes. Because mangoes are very nutritious, containing a variety of vitamins and trace elements needed by the body.


Is it good to get an injection for a cold?
The common cold is caused by a viral infection and clinically, it often presents symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, throat discomfort, and coughing. Some patients may also experience mild fever, fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific and effective treatments for the common cold, and generally, there is no need for injections. This illness also has a certain self-limiting nature; even without medication, the common cold generally improves within about seven days. If the symptoms are significant, medications like compound cold medicine can be used to alleviate the symptoms of a cold.


How to distinguish between bacterial cold and viral cold
Bacterial colds and viral colds can be distinguished by a complete blood count. A viral cold, generally caused by a viral infection, is characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild fever. Bacterial colds, on the other hand, often present with chills and high fever, sore throat, and pus in the tonsils. In viral colds, lymphocyte counts are elevated, and there is no significant increase, or no increase, in the total white blood cell count. Bacterial colds show an increase in white blood cells and neutrophils.


Is having phlegm in a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat cold?
Simple cases of colds accompanied by coughing phlegm cannot distinguish between cold-induced colds and heat-induced colds. Clinically, patients with heat-induced colds often have yellow phlegm when coughing occurs, and heat-induced colds are more common in summer. Patients will also experience fever, chills, and sore throat among other clinical symptoms. Wind-cold colds clinically manifest with nasal congestion and a runny nose, usually with clear nasal discharge, as well as fever, itchy throat, and dry cough. When patients cough, it is typically characterized by clear phlegm. Therefore, if one simply states that a cold involves phlegm, it is not possible to differentiate between wind-cold cold and wind-heat cold.


What department should I go to for a baby's cold?
Infant colds are diseases caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infections, and onset is usually sudden. The registration for a doctor's visit may vary depending on the timing. If it's during normal working hours, then a visit to the pediatric outpatient clinic is usually sufficient. However, if it's during off hours, such as at noon, evening, weekends, or public holidays, then a visit to the pediatric emergency department is generally required. Additionally, depending on the symptoms accompanying the cold, a sub-specialty within pediatrics can be chosen. For instance, if the infant cold includes significant respiratory symptoms, then a visit to the pediatric respiratory medicine outpatient clinic is appropriate. If the cold comes with gastrointestinal symptoms, then the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic is suitable.


Can you drink alcohol if you have a cold?
It is not recommended to drink alcohol during a cold. This is because alcohol can suppress the central nervous system and affect the absorption of medications, especially cephalosporin drugs. One must not drink alcohol as it can pose a life-threatening risk. Whether it is beer, Western liquor, or strong spirits, none should be consumed. Since a cold itself can cause symptoms of fatigue and weakness, adding alcohol can potentially worsen these symptoms. Additionally, consuming alcohol while on cold medications is not advised, as it can lead to poor mental focus, and alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of a cold.


What should I do about recurrent colds caused by qi deficiency?
When experiencing repeated colds due to qi deficiency, it is essential to first adjust the diet and timely take medicine to improve and treat the condition. It is also crucial to pay attention to rest, avoid excessive fatigue, stay warm, and not catch cold to better improve the situation. Additionally, soaking in warm water, using a sauna, scraping therapy, or cupping can also be effective in regulating the body and significantly help in alleviating symptoms.


Can you drink alcohol when you have a cold and a headache?
When suffering from a cold and headache, it is not advisable to drink alcohol, as it can exacerbate the symptoms of the cold and possibly worsen the headache. This is because alcohol can stimulate the blood vessels, causing the brain's blood vessels to dilate and intensify the headache. Therefore, it is best to avoid alcohol during a cold. Additionally, during a cold, you might take some anti-cold medications, some of which may contain anti-inflammatory components, making it even more important not to drink alcohol if you have a headache. When experiencing a cold with headache, it is important to rest and avoid overexertion. If the headache is particularly severe, pain relief medication such as Yuanhu pain relief tablets or aspirin may be taken. Remember to keep warm, avoid getting chilled, drink plenty of water to facilitate excretion, and lying down to rest can help alleviate symptoms. (Please follow doctor's instructions regarding specific medication use.)


How long will the symptoms of a cold last?
The duration of cold symptoms varies depending on individual constitution and the type of cold. Generally, a common cold may take three to five days to recover, while influenza could require five to ten days. The specific duration depends on the quantity of the virus and the body's immune capacity. Both influenza and the common cold are viral infections that cause illness, and there are some differences in symptoms. However, the treatment plans are the same, focusing on symptomatic treatment, complemented by antiviral medication, with recommendations to drink plenty of water, rest, and boost metabolism.


What is a cold?
Colds are classified as a type of disease, and clinically, they are mainly divided into common colds and influenza. They are among the most common respiratory infectious diseases in daily life, caused by viral infections. The common cold is mainly caused by rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, and other viruses, while influenza is mostly caused by influenza viruses or parainfluenza viruses and other pathogens. Symptoms include drowsiness, fatigue, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. The main treatments include drinking plenty of water, antiviral therapy, and symptomatic treatment.