What to eat for a cold or flu

Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on March 01, 2025
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Patients with colds should always pay attention to keeping warm and not catching cold, so as not to worsen the condition. Usually, they can take some cold medicines, which can clear heat and detoxify. If the condition is severe, it is recommended to take medication under the guidance of a doctor. Normally, drinking more water and urinating frequently can effectively expel some viruses from the body through urine, alleviating the symptoms of a cold. In terms of diet, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, and green vegetables, can effectively improve symptoms. Also, spending more time in the sun can help increase the body's immunity.

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Written by Long Guan Han
Pulmonology
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What should I do if my cold doesn't get better?

The common cold generally follows a process. Eighty percent of common colds start as viral colds, characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and other catarrhal symptoms. Generally, after three to five days, these catarrhal symptoms gradually disappear, as the virus is self-limiting. If the symptoms do not improve after three to five days and are accompanied by coughing, purulent sputum, and fever, it may have progressed to a bacterial cold, which requires antibiotic treatment. When we commonly refer to a persistent cold, we mainly refer to a cough. Some people might experience a cold for more than ten days, or repeatedly suffer from a dry cough. At this time, it's not that their cold hasn't healed; rather, it's because the respiratory tract has been damaged and needs time to recover. Typically, this kind of irritating dry cough without sputum generally lasts for a while.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What are wind-cold common cold and wind-heat common cold?

Wind-cold colds are primarily caused by exposure to wind and cold air, typically presenting symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, or coughing up white phlegm. Wind-heat colds, on the other hand, are caused by heat and typically manifest symptoms like headaches, fever, coughing up yellow phlegm, and sore, swollen throat. It is advisable to differentiate between these two types of colds. Both wind-cold and wind-heat colds require treatment under a doctor's guidance, using appropriate anti-cold medicine. For wind-cold colds, anti-inflammatory medicines can be used. For wind-heat colds, medicines that clear heat, detoxify, and reduce inflammation can be employed to alleviate symptoms. Regular physical exercise, which strengthens the constitution and enhances resistance, is recommended to help alleviate symptoms of a cold and facilitate recovery.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you smoke when you have a cold?

You should not smoke when you have a cold. As colds are a type of respiratory infection, smoking can directly irritate the respiratory system, including the mouth, throat, and nasal mucosa, worsening the condition and triggering coughing and sore throat. This is detrimental to both recovery from the illness and overall health, therefore, smoking should be avoided during a cold. During a cold, it is also advisable to eat a light diet, avoid meat, and consume more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, drink plenty of water, and avoid staying up late. Generally, recovery will gradually occur within three to seven days. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, antimicrobial medication may also be necessary for treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of a cold in children

Children's cold, also known as acute upper respiratory tract infection in children, is the most common disease among children. It mainly refers to the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, nasopharynx, and pharynx, leading to acute rhinitis, acute pharyngitis, and acute tonsillitis, collectively referred to as such. After catching a cold, children can exhibit local symptoms, primarily manifesting as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, mild cough, discomfort in the throat, or sore throat. Systemic symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which often appears as spasmodic periumbilical pain without tenderness. In infants and young children, local symptoms are not severe, but systemic symptoms are more significant. A general physical examination can reveal congestion in the throat, swelling of the tonsils, and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the jaw and neck area.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How many days will it take for the baby to recover from a cold?

Generally speaking, if a baby has a cold caused by a common viral infection and receives symptomatic treatment, the symptoms can usually be controlled within three to five days. If it is a severe cold or influenza, the symptoms can be more severe and may include repeated fever, runny nose, and sneezing, lasting longer, about seven days, or even up to ten days. If there is a bacterial infection following the cold, the duration may be even longer and would require specific analysis based on the actual situation.