What should I do if I have a cold and a runny nose?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on March 29, 2025
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Symptoms of a cold with a runny nose do not need to be overly worried about. Clinically, symptomatic treatment is mainly adopted, such as the local use of Ephedrine Nasal Drops, which can relieve the swelling of the nasal mucosa, causing the capillaries to constrict and control the symptoms of a runny nose. You can also choose Chinese patent medicines that open the orifices, such as Huodan Pills, Qianbai Biyan Tablets, Nose Comfort Tablets, etc., or take medicines that inhibit gland secretion, such as Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablets, Cimetidine Tablets, etc. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Is it good to run when you have a cold and cough?

A cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, typically presents varying clinical symptoms in patients depending on the type of infecting pathogen. Commonly, patients with a cold experience coughs of varying degrees, which may be either dry or productive. Therefore, the choice of medication in clinical treatment often differs according to the nature of the cough. For patients with a cold and cough, if there are no significant fever symptoms, these individuals can usually engage in running. Running effectively enhances bodily immune functions and facilitates early recovery from illness. Consequently, patients with a cold and cough might choose suitable physical activities based on their condition. Persisting in such activities can not only expediate recovery but also help in boosting the immune system. Therefore, running is generally a good option.

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Is wind-heat cold contagious?

"Wind-heat cold" is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and diagnosed through TCM methods; from a Western medicine perspective, it could also be a viral infection. Viral colds can be contagious, so sometimes, wind-heat colds may be contagious as well. Therefore, it is necessary to take certain measures to prevent the spread of the disease, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. It's advisable for these groups to avoid contact with individuals who have a wind-heat cold to prevent infection. There is also a need to be cautious of the possibility of bacterial infections in such cases. If the patient has a bacterial infection, active treatment, potentially including antibiotics, may be required.

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What medicine to take for a cold and headache?

During a cold with headache, you can appropriately massage the temples to relieve the symptom of headache. If the headache is severe during a cold, then it is necessary to take some pain relief medication to alleviate the symptoms. Usually, you should pay attention to your diet, opting for light meals and avoiding spicy, greasy, cold, and stimulating foods. Also, it is important to keep the diet light and consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, or porridge to enhance your body's resistance and alleviate symptoms. It is advised that if the cold with headache is severe, and accompanied by fever, it might be a viral cold. You can take some antiviral medications coupled with cold relief drugs for treatment to alleviate the symptoms. During treatment, it is essential to actively cooperate with the doctors' treatment, avoid smoking and drinking, drink plenty of water, and rest adequately.

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The difference between influenza and the common cold

Influenza, or the flu, is an epidemic caused by the influenza virus, often characterized by severe systemic symptoms such as chills, high fever, and body aches. However, the symptoms related to the nasal pharynx are relatively mild, such as light sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. The common cold, often referred to as a cold or rhinitis, is also caused by viral infection and can be caused by various viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, influenza virus, and parainfluenza virus. The general systemic symptoms of the common cold are relatively mild, such as fever, headache, and chills. Symptoms related to the ears, nose, and throat are more pronounced, including distinct sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and throat discomfort.

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How to expel wind for a cold caused by wind-cold

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that wind-cold common colds mainly occur when the body's resistance is lowered and is exposed to wind-cold. If one catches a wind-cold common cold, it is necessary to appropriately take some medicine that expels wind, resolves the exterior, and dispels cold. In daily life, one can use ginger brown sugar water to expel wind and disperse cold. Ginger has the effects of inducing sweat, resolving the exterior, and dispersing cold, while brown sugar warms the middle and boosts yang. Used together, they can treat wind-cold common colds. Additionally, drinking some hot porridge to induce slight sweating can also help expel wind.