Which one causes body aches, bacterial cold or viral cold?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on November 04, 2024
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Bacterial colds and viral colds are named after the different microorganisms that cause the symptoms of colds. The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, pharynx, and larynx. Usually, when the body's resistance decreases or one is overly fatigued, it is very easy to be infected by external pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. However, when bacteria infect the human body, most of the symptoms are mainly concentrated in the nasopharyngeal area and do not spread throughout the body. On the other hand, viral colds are different. After infecting the human body, in addition to causing respiratory symptoms, viral colds also cause general discomfort throughout the body, such as headaches, limb weakness, muscle soreness, joint pain, and can even lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Thus, viral colds produce more severe whole-body symptoms.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Is a cold the process of detoxing?

A cold is not about detoxing; it is a type of disease. It is caused by a viral infection leading to a respiratory infection, which can cause symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to properly understand that one should drink plenty of water during a cold, measure body temperature twice a day, and avoid eating spicy, overly greasy foods. The main treatment principle is to choose pain-relieving medications to alleviate symptoms like fever, headache, and body aches. For a runny nose and sneezing, antihistamine medications can be used for symptomatic treatment, and they can also be combined with antiviral medications.

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Is it normal to not catch a cold for a long time?

Not catching a cold for a long time is normal and indicates that the body is healthy with a normal immune function and robust defensive capabilities. In contrast, patients who frequently catch colds and fever generally have low immunity, showing signs of a weak constitution. Such individuals should drink more water and exercise more often. There is no need to worry or take any intervention measures if you do not catch a cold for a long period. Maintain a regular routine, adjust your mindset, avoid exposure to irritating chemicals, keep a positive attitude, avoid staying up late, and have regular health check-ups.

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Written by Wu Xiao Sheng
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Can you not eat seafood when you have a cold?

Cold patients can generally eat seafood unless they are allergic to it. The common cold is the most frequently seen acute upper respiratory tract infection in clinical settings, and it is a contagious disease. It can cause a variety of clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, patients with a cold will experience certain consumption, including nutritional and fluid loss. Seafood is the most common marine product food, and it does not affect the common cold. This means that eating seafood does not worsen the clinical symptoms of a cold. Moreover, seafood contains rich nutrients, which can beneficially supplement the losses caused by the cold. Of course, a very small number of cold patients may have an allergic constitution and be allergic to seafood, in which case it is not suitable for them, but this situation is very rare.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
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Symptoms of a cold caused by wind-cold

The so-called common cold, which is often referred to as the common cold, is divided from the perspective of Chinese medicine into heat-type colds and cold-type colds. A wind-cold cold refers to the symptoms that occur when a patient is exposed to wind and cold causing viruses or other pathogens to enter the respiratory tract, characterized by fever, headache, runny nose—often clear mucus—along with coughing and an itchy throat. Thus, in clinical practice, for patients with a wind-cold cold, if symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing occur, it is appropriate to use heat-clearing, detoxifying, and antiviral medications according to the patient's symptoms for symptomatic treatment. The discomfort caused by the wind-cold cold can be effectively controlled.

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Is a cough with phlegm due to a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat?

Coughing is a very common symptom among patients, with numerous and complex triggering factors. Determining the specific cause of a cough requires analyzing the nature of the cough, such as whether it is productive or dry, and considering other related clinical manifestations. Clinically, symptoms can help distinguish whether a cough is caused by a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat. Typically, colds due to wind-cold often occur in winter. Symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat, varying degrees of fever, and primarily a dry cough. Conversely, colds due to wind-heat are more common in summer and are accompanied by more pronounced general symptoms. These include sore throat, fever, chills, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Thus, simply having a productive cough does not confirm whether it is due to a wind-cold or wind-heat cold. If the cough produces yellow phlegm and occurs in summer, it generally indicates a wind-heat cold.