What should I do if I have a cold, headache, and nasal congestion?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on February 21, 2025
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Symptoms such as cold, headache, and nasal congestion should be treated accordingly. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and avoid eating irritating foods. Check your body temperature, and if there are symptoms of fever, you can take aspirin or acetaminophen to treat the fever and headache. For nasal congestion, you can take oral medications that suppress gland secretion, or use some nasal drops locally to relieve the swelling of the nasal mucosa and control the sensation of congestion. Drink plenty of water, rest more, and avoid spicy foods and seafood.

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Can babies take a bath when they have a cold?

Actually, when children have a cold, they might sweat. If they sweat, their clothes will get wet, and having a lot of sweat on their body can also be uncomfortable. If they are not cleaned properly, it can actually make the baby feel very uncomfortable. So, it's completely fine to bathe when having a cold, especially for babies who are feverish. After their body temperature rises, bathing can also help to bring the temperature down, which is actually an effective method of physical cooling. As long as the room temperature and water temperature are kept appropriate, it is okay to bathe.

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Can you drink yogurt when you have a cold?

Colds are a relatively common type of illness, often occurring in people whose immune functions are compromised. For such patients, it is recommended that they consume foods high in protein and vitamins. Commonly, individuals catch colds due to inadvertent exposure to cold environments leading to viral infections. For such cold sufferers, it is generally advised to consume items like yogurt and milk, as yogurt has high nutritional value due to its fermentation process. It typically contains high-quality proteins, probiotics, calcium, and various vitamins, including B1 and B6. Therefore, consuming yogurt when suffering from a cold can greatly supplement the nutrients needed by the body, and indirectly boost the patient's immunity. Thus, yogurt is advisable during a cold.

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How to deal with cold chills and fever?

Symptoms of a cold such as chills and fever are manifestations of chills and high fever. During this period, one should first measure the body temperature, drink plenty of water, and promptly take appropriate fever-reducing measures depending on the severity of the fever to prevent febrile convulsions. Generally, the body temperature is measured again two hours after fever reduction through physical cooling or medication. Once the body sweats, the body temperature will return to normal, and the symptoms of chills will gradually ease. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Can you eat chestnuts during a cold?

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What should I do if I have a cold with headache and fever?

When experiencing symptoms of a cold such as headache and fever, one should first measure their body temperature and adopt corresponding treatment measures based on the severity of the fever. Fever can cause headaches, fatigue, body aches, and may even lead to complications like nausea and vomiting. If the body temperature does not exceed 38℃ (100.4°F), one can take vitamin supplements, drink ginger tea, and use physical methods to reduce fever. If the body temperature is above 38℃ (100.4°F), one may consider taking antipyretic and pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen or aspirin to alleviate symptoms. Generally, once the body temperature returns to normal, headache symptoms will gradually improve or disappear. (The use of medications should be based on specific conditions and under the guidance of a doctor.)