How to treat a cold with nasal congestion and dry cough?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on October 19, 2024
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The common cold is a very common inflammatory condition clinically, generally caused by viral infections, hence, the treatment for such patients usually needs to focus on antiviral medications. Most viral colds cause varying degrees of nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and even dry cough and itchy throat among other clinical symptoms. For such patients, treatment begins by identifying the specific pathogens causing the cold. If it is a virus, timely administration of heat-clearing and detoxifying medications is necessary, along with the appropriate use of traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose. For symptoms such as nasal congestion and dry cough, appropriate use of cough suppressant medications or nebulized inhalation may be chosen to provide symptomatic relief, with treatment effects generally being ideal around three days.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How to measure temperature for a baby with a cold

Children catching a cold is a common occurrence, often accompanied by varying degrees of fever. Accurate temperature measurement is crucial for timely treatment with specialized medications. The most frequently and accurately measured temperature is the rectal temperature, as it is closest to the core body temperature. This measurement typically uses a mercury thermometer and takes about three minutes. If a mercury thermometer is not available, an infrared thermometer can also be used to measure the baby's ear temperature. Ear temperature also closely approximates the core body temperature. However, during measurement, it is essential to straighten the ear canal as much as possible to keep it in a straight line for accurate results. If it is not possible to measure the rectal or ear temperature, then measuring the forehead temperature is an alternative. However, the temperature on the forehead is generally about 0.5℃ lower than the rectal or ear temperature. This measurement is more affected by various factors and has a larger margin of error, which needs special attention.

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Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
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How to reduce fever from a stomach flu?

Generally, physical cooling methods such as wiping with alcohol or applying ice packs to areas with large arteries like the armpits, groin, or neck can be used to dissipate heat, but it is important to prevent frostbite. Secondly, you can drink herbal teas that clear heat, such as chrysanthemum tea or honeysuckle tea. Massages can also help reduce fever, focusing on acupoints like Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Dazhui (GV 14), and Yongquan (KI 1). Additionally, antipyretic and analgesic medications can be taken to help reduce fever. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What can a baby eat when they have a cold?

When a baby catches a cold, they typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose. Some may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive system symptoms. Therefore, during this period, it is important that the diet is light and easy to digest. For instance, if the baby is breastfed, they can continue breastfeeding, but the mother should also maintain a light and easily digestible diet. Continuing with milk is fine, but it should be diluted to aid digestion. Additionally, light meals like porridge, noodles, rice paste, some vegetables, and a moderate amount of fruits as supplements can be given. Spicy, greasy, and stimulating foods should be avoided during this time.

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Written by Wu Xiao Sheng
Pulmonology
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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 Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Does drinking alcohol cure a cold?

Drinking alcohol definitely cannot cure a cold, and everyone should be aware of this. Moreover, contrary to that, drinking alcohol can potentially make the symptoms of a cold worse. During a cold, the body's resistance is already weakened, and drinking alcohol at this time might irritate the stomach lining and affect various organs in the body. Therefore, it is best not to drink alcohol when you have a cold, especially not as a treatment for it. It is advised that everyone take care to avoid this misconception. Also, when you have a cold, keep warm, eat light foods, and avoid drinks like carbonated beverages, alcoholic drinks, strong tea, and coffee. Additionally, it is important to maintain a relaxed mood and avoid excessive stress. During the period when taking cold medicine, you should be careful not to drink alcohol to prevent any toxic reactions, which are very harmful to health.