What should I do if I have a cold and a sore throat?

Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
Updated on January 22, 2025
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In cases of colds with sore throats, appropriate measures should be taken based on the specific condition. A cold with a sore throat may be caused by a viral infection. For viral colds, there are usually no specific treatments, and symptomatic pain relief treatment is often needed, along with adequate hydration and proper intake of fruits and other related measures. Additionally, a sore throat from a cold could also be a bacterial infection, such as acute purulent tonsillitis, which is a type of bacterial cold. Patients with acute purulent tonsillitis often experience significant throat pain, swollen tonsils with purulent secretions on the surface, and may also have a fever. For acute purulent tonsillitis, not only is symptomatic treatment necessary, but also the use of sensitive antibiotics is required.

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What should I do if I have a cold, headache, and vomiting?

After catching a cold, various respiratory symptoms can occur, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, etc. However, there is also a category of patients who, particularly after a viral cold, may exhibit symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal pain and diarrhea. These patients are referred to as having a "gastrointestinal cold." Like the common cold, a gastrointestinal cold is also caused by respiratory virus infections. Therefore, there are no special medications required for treatment; general over-the-counter cold medicines are sufficient. If there is severe vomiting, some antiemetic medication may be used, and drinking some cola boiled with ginger can also be very effective in treating the headaches and vomiting.

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How to treat a cold in children

Pediatric colds, also known as upper respiratory tract infections in children, are the most common illnesses among children. They primarily manifest as inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, nasopharynx, and throat, which can lead to conditions such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, and acute tonsillitis. Collectively, these are referred to as upper respiratory tract infections, or simply pediatric colds. The treatment of pediatric colds mainly focuses on preparing for and preventing complications. Secondly, symptomatic treatment is essential. When a child has a high fever, antipyretics should be taken, and physical cooling can be achieved through cold compresses, or warm moist compresses. Children with febrile convulsions should be given sedatives and antispasmodics while reducing the fever. For significant nasal congestion, local medications can be used, or physiological saline water can be used to rinse the nose. For throat pain, throat lozenges can be taken, or sprays that alleviate throat discomfort can be used. It is also crucial to treat the cause of the illness. Generally, antiviral drugs are not specific, but ribavirin can be taken, along with Chinese herbal medicines that clear heat and detoxify. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital doctor.

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How to deal with repeated colds due to a cold body constitution?

For patients suffering from repeated colds due to a cold constitution, it is crucial to pay extra attention to their diet, avoiding overly hard, overly stimulating, or overly cold foods. One beneficial dietary practice is to consume more warm-natured foods and drink more ginger water, as ginger water has the effect of expelling cold, especially helpful for those with a cold constitution, providing significant relief and improvement. Drinking mugwort leaf water can also be beneficial. It is also essential to avoid excessive fatigue.

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What to eat for a cold or flu

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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Can I eat cherries if I have a cold and cough?

Cough caused by a cold is very common in clinical practice. Most are due to viral invasion of the respiratory tract, causing inflammatory lesions that lead to varying degrees of coughing. Patients with a cough caused by a cold can eat cherries. This is because cherries have a high nutritional value, containing large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B, and other micronutrients needed by the body. A cold itself occurs because of low immune function in the body and can lead to upper respiratory tract infection symptoms after exposure to cold. Eating some cherries can also be beneficial for such patients, aiding in a quicker recovery from the illness.