How to get over a cold quickly?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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The common cold is one of the most frequent infectious diseases seen in clinical practice and is also a self-limiting illness. It is often caused by factors such as exposure to cold, staying up late, stress, and lack of sleep, which lead to decreased immunity. Consequently, viruses or the influenza virus may take advantage and infect the body, causing symptoms of the common cold. To treat a cold, one should first drink plenty of warm water and measure their temperature twice daily. The main principle of treatment is symptomatic treatment and antiviral management. One may choose to take Ribavirin or Qingkailing for antiviral treatment. If symptoms like fever and runny nose are present, one can opt for antipyretic analgesics and drugs that reduce glandular secretions. Concurrently, include more vitamin C-rich foods in the diet. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Dietary Therapy Methods for Colds During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a particularly special period in the physiological process of women. During this period, due to pregnancy, women's immunity decreases. Additionally, due to the baby, the mother's nutrition is deprived, leading to malnutrition in pregnant women. Pregnant women during this period are very susceptible to colds or other infectious diseases. Due to the special circumstances, medications cannot be used, so treatments are limited to dietary remedies or traditional Chinese medicine. We can use remedies like brown sugar ginger tea or Fritillaria pear with rock sugar to treat symptoms of the common cold, which often have very good effects.

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What causes a cold headache?

In most cases, headaches from colds can be considered possibly caused by viral or bacterial infections. Typically, inflammatory stimuli may cause intense constriction of cerebral blood vessels, leading to headaches. Therefore, it is advised to pay attention and, under the guidance of a doctor, take some pain relief medications to treat and alleviate symptoms. Additionally, one should perform a routine blood test under a doctor's guidance to identify the cause, and then take the appropriate anti-infection medications for treatment. Furthermore, if the headache is due to a viral infection, it may be necessary to take antiviral medications. In the case of a bacterial infection, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications should be taken to relieve symptoms. It is also important to handle symptoms appropriately, rest more, and avoid overexertion. Moreover, keeping the head warm and avoiding exposure to cold and wind is also important.

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Can you eat watermelon when you have a cold?

In the case of a cold, it's appropriate to eat some watermelon, but not too much. Since watermelon is cooling in nature, eating too much may cause discomfort in the digestive system, so it should be consumed in moderation. However, during a cold, it is best to follow a doctor’s advice and take medication for treatment. If it's just a common cold with minor symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion, it should be allowed to heal on its own. It is self-limiting and will generally resolve within about seven days without intervention. This is important to remember. Also, daily life and diet should be light, avoiding spicy, greasy, and raw or stimulating foods. It's important to maintain a relaxed mood, avoid excessive stress, and actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment.

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What should you avoid eating when you have a cold and fever?

There are many foods that should not be consumed during a fever caused by a cold, such as spicy foods including chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, onions, ginger, and garlic. Avoid these items, as well as fried foods, foods high in fat, overly sweet foods, and overly sour foods, for example, fried foods, pork belly, pig head meat, or some candies, creams, cheeses, and pastries. Furthermore, attention should also be given to avoiding carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, strong tea, and coffee. The diet should be light with the option to consume things like millet porridge, vegetable porridge, or some freshly squeezed juices to provide vitamins and enhance body resistance, helping to expedite recovery from cold and fever symptoms. During a fever, it is important to monitor body temperature. If it exceeds 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication should be taken; otherwise, physical cooling methods can be sufficient.

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How to treat a cold and fever?

Patients with the common cold can experience fever, and accompanying symptoms such as chills and headaches. So how should a fever from a cold be treated? First, consider the severity of the fever. If it's a mild fever, antipyretics are generally not needed; rest, avoiding cold exposure, and drinking plenty of water are recommended. If the temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius and there is significant discomfort, antipyretic medications can be used, commonly antipyretic analgesics. Besides medication, physical cooling methods like sponge baths or applying ice packs can also be employed. If sweating occurs during the fever, it's important to dry off with a clean towel promptly and change any sweat-soaked underwear to avoid getting chilled again, which can impede recovery from the cold.