How many days will it take for a cold headache to get better?

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 07, 2025
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Headache is a common symptom of the cold, which generally eases within three to four days. If a cold is accompanied by headaches, it is often considered severe. Symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue may indicate a viral infection. It is advised to take antiviral medications under a doctor's guidance, along with medications for the cold to treat and alleviate these symptoms. Additionally, if the headache is severe, it's advisable to take some pain relief medication to ease the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water to promote excretion and boosting the immune system are also recommended. Moreover, maintaining a cheerful mood, keeping warm, avoiding exposure to cold, engaging in moderate exercise to enhance physical constitution, and avoiding strenuous activities which may lower resistance and exacerbate the cold are important. Therefore, it is suggested to engage in soothing exercises, avoid staying up late, and ensure adequate sleep to strengthen the body's defenses.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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Can you drink chicken soup when you have a cold?

Chicken soup is nutritious and delicious, and many people like to drink it. So, can you still drink chicken soup after catching a cold? If the symptoms of the cold are mild and there are no significant systemic symptoms such as fever, nausea, or loss of appetite, it is okay to drink chicken soup. However, it is generally advised to drink less and keep it light. Additionally, if the cold symptoms are severe, such as significant fever, reduced appetite, or if it is a gastrointestinal cold with clear abdominal discomfort, it is not recommended to drink chicken soup.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Is the sore throat caused by a cold-cold or a cold-heat cold?

Sore throat is generally caused by wind-heat cold, while wind-cold cold is caused by exposure to wind and cold, clinically manifested by mild fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and no sore throat. Wind-heat cold is caused by exposure to wind-heat, typically presenting with severe fever, chills, dry mouth, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, and yellow phlegm. However, sore throat can also be caused by cold enclosing heat. During a cold, it is important to pay attention to a light diet and avoid eating overly greasy or spicy food.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What should I do if I have a cold, headache, and nasal congestion?

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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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to reduce a fever when having a cold and headache

Symptoms of a cold such as headache and fever can be treated by applying a cool towel or ice pack to the forehead, or by taking antipyretic analgesic drugs to alleviate the fever. Options include acetaminophen, naproxen, or sodium diclofenac, all of which effectively ease symptoms caused by a cold like headaches and fever. Additionally, drinking more ginger sugar water and using warm water or alcohol to wipe down the palms, soles, neck, and chest can help reduce fever physically.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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What to do if a baby catches a cold?

When a child catches a cold, it's important to consider their specific symptoms. If the cold lasts no more than three days and the child is in good spirits, you can treat them with anti-viral and heat-clearing Chinese patent medicines. Their diet should be light and easy to digest, and include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. If the baby is exclusively breastfed and under six months old, the mother should ensure a balanced diet, consume easily digestible foods, and avoid overly greasy or spicy foods. If the child's cold persists for more than three days and symptoms like cough with phlegm appear, it's necessary to bring the child to the hospital for timely tests, such as a complete blood count and C-reactive protein, to rule out bacterial infections and provide appropriate treatment based on the child's condition. For infants with a cold, considering their underdeveloped organ functions and weaker immunity, even a common cold can easily lead to secondary viral or bacterial infections, potentially causing severe diseases like pneumonia. Therefore, it's best to take the child to the pediatric outpatient clinic for assessment and targeted treatment. If it’s inconvenient to visit a doctor, consider that most colds are caused by viruses, such as respiratory or enteroviruses. Therefore, you might treat the child at home with antiviral Chinese patent medicines and symptom-specific supportive treatments. It's also crucial to manage their diet well, as digestive functions can be compromised during a cold. Thus, meals should be small and frequent, and it's advisable to avoid hard-to-digest and potentially allergenic foods to prevent exacerbating symptoms. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)