Do you need to take medicine for a cold with nasal congestion?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on November 13, 2024
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Nasal congestion due to a cold is very common in clinical practice. The need for medication depends on the type of cold and the patient's own immune function. If the patient has a cold caused by a viral infection and the symptoms are not severe, or if the patient generally likes to exercise and is young, a mild cold may not require medication and can heal on its own within about a week. For children or elderly individuals with weaker resistance, when an upper respiratory infection occurs, it is advisable to administer some medication for symptomatic treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and to avoid unnecessary complications.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How to clear phlegm for a baby with a cold?

There are several methods to help a baby with a cold expel phlegm, which are as follows: First, you can give the infant some Western or traditional Chinese medicines that help expel phlegm to aid the removal of mucus. Second, gently patting the baby's back can also facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. Third, if possible, using a phlegm suction device can help the baby expel phlegm. Fourth, administering nebulized medications that help expel and remove phlegm can be effective. Lastly, it's important to treat the cause of the baby's cold-related phlegm production. Most colds are caused by respiratory viral infections, so taking antiviral medications can be very effective. If the cold and phlegm persist, be aware of the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection, which, if present, may require antibiotic treatment. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to distinguish between bacterial cold and viral cold?

Viral colds primarily affect the nasal area, with severe runny nose that is mostly clear and lacks pus-like discharge. When coughing, there is little phlegm. Symptoms of bacterial colds mainly occur in the tonsils and throat, showing redness and swelling of the throat, enlarged tonsils, and throat pain. The nasal discharge is generally thick, and the cough brings up thick phlegm. Viral colds do not show any abnormalities in routine blood tests, whereas bacterial colds often display an increase in white blood cells.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of a heat cold

Heat colds are very common clinically and often occur in the hot summer. The so-called heat cold is mainly from the perspective of Chinese medicine, which divides cold types into heat colds and cold colds. Typically, patients with a heat cold exhibit symptoms such as fever and chills, and during the fever, they may experience headaches and fatigue in their limbs. Some patients may also have nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, often with yellow mucus, as well as sore throat and cough, where the cough usually involves yellow phlegm. These are very common symptoms of a heat cold seen clinically. Therefore, when these symptoms appear in patients, as long as a timely and clear diagnosis is made and some heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines are administered for symptomatic treatment, the discomfort caused by the heat cold can generally be quickly improved.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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What should I do if I have a heavy nasal voice due to a cold?

Cold with nasal voice, in most cases, does not require special treatment. A cold can cause symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing. These symptoms can lead to a nasal voice in patients, and this condition usually does not require special treatment. If the symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion are particularly severe and affect the patient's daily life, some compound cold medicines can be used to alleviate the symptoms, such as compound cold medicines like Ammaminamide tablets. Additionally, for a heavy nasal voice due to a cold, it is also necessary to assess the patient's condition. If the patient has a lot of purulent nasal discharge and is accompanied by headaches, it is important to be alert to the possibility of sinusitis, which also needs to be treated. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Why drink more hot water when you have a cold?

A cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, commonly occurs in patients due to a decrease in immune function, exposure to cold, or being infected by other viral colds. Typical symptoms in these patients include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and may also include an itchy throat and cough. For cold patients with strong resistance to viral infections, medication may not even be necessary as the cold can completely heal on its own. It is advised that these patients drink more hot water, which can help not only by providing hydration but also can serve to reduce fever in patients with mild fevers. Drinking more water can improve symptoms like nasal congestion and also accelerate the recovery from a cold, as increased water intake boosts metabolism. Therefore, for patients with lowered immune function and viral infections, it is recommended to drink an adequate amount of hot water.