The difference between viral influenza and the common cold.

Written by Zou Zhong Lan
Pulmonology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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The common cold is mostly caused by viruses and has milder symptoms, mainly including cough, nasal congestion, and runny nose. It tends to resolve on its own, and the whole-body symptoms are mild. Viral colds usually refer to colds where a specific pathogen can be identified, also known as influenza, such as H1N1, H3N2, type A influenza, and type B influenza prevalent in the winter and spring seasons. Its whole-body symptoms are more severe, mainly including fever, sore throat, headache, whole-body muscle soreness, poor spirits, fatigue, and other systemic symptoms.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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What is the difference between a hot cold and a cool cold?

Cold from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine is classified into two types: Wind-Heat Cold and Wind-Cold Cold. A Wind-Heat Cold may present symptoms such as coughing, coughing up yellow phlegm, yellow nasal discharge, sore throat, and fever. In contrast, a Wind-Cold Cold typically manifests as clear nasal discharge, dry cough or coughing up white phlegm, along with aversion to cold, headache, muscle soreness, and possibly a mild fever. Clinically, Wind-Cold Cold and Wind-Heat Cold are distinct and should be diagnosed under the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can prescribe specific herbal treatments based on the patient’s symptoms. From a Western medicine perspective, symptomatic treatment is generally recommended. However, it is crucial to assess if the patient exhibits symptoms such as purulent phlegm, high fever, or persistently unimproved cold symptoms, which may indicate the need for a hospital visit to investigate potential bacterial infections that might require antimicrobial treatments.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Crying during a cold is what kind of cold?

Crying due to a cold is a symptom of a common viral infection. The symptoms of a common cold mainly include nasal and throat issues, such as dry mouth, sore and swollen throat, runny nose, tearfulness, and increased eye discharge. To treat this kind of common cold, the main approach is symptomatic treatment. Drinking plenty of warm water, taking vitamin C tablets, and using Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Dispersible Tablets can help promote the repair of tissue mucosa and suppress gland secretion, effectively alleviating symptoms of tearfulness.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you eat crab after taking cold medicine when you have a cold?

It is recommended not to eat crab after taking cold medicine. Because crabs are aquatic animals and are considered cold in nature. During a cold, it is best to avoid overly cold foods, pay attention to rest, drink more warm fluids, and follow a light, easy-to-digest diet, and to take medicine on schedule. Although eating crab will not cause poisoning, it can decrease the effectiveness of cold medicine, thereby prolonging the duration of the cold. If the cold improves, crabs can be consumed in small amounts.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you swim with a cold?

Colds, also known as upper respiratory infections, generally occur because the patient's immune function is weakened, leading to the condition. Many patients catch a cold due to exposure to cold, while others are infected by people with colds due to weakened immune function. For patients with a cold who do not have a fever, we generally recommend engaging in appropriate exercise, which can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. For instance, if a cold occurs during the cold winter months, swimming and participating in similar physical activities can be beneficial for enhancing the patient's immune function and aiding in quicker recovery from the illness. Therefore, it is acceptable for patients with a cold to swim.

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Written by Liu Yong
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Should you keep warm if you have a cold caused by wind-heat?

Patients with wind-heat colds need to keep warm and avoid catching a chill. Wind-heat colds are caused by exposure to wind-heat, and if not kept warm, the body can easily be invaded by cold, worsening the condition. It is important to drink plenty of warm water, and salt water can be consumed as well. Maintain ventilation indoors to keep the air fresh. Pay attention to staying warm, avoid spicy, greasy, and highly stimulating foods, enhance the body's resistance, and perform moderate amounts of exercise.