Can you eat onions when you have a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on January 21, 2025
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During a cold, it is appropriate to eat some onions. If the onions are cooked, they are easier to digest. If consuming raw onions, eat them in moderation without overdoing it. Because they are spicy food, they have certain stimulating effects. Since onions are spicy, they can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to increased secretion of mucus, which in turn causes more nasal discharge and phlegm production. The expulsion of these secretions can help clear the respiratory pathways. Additionally, onions are rich in vitamins and can enhance the body's immunity.

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Written by Liao Bin
Pulmonology
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Can you eat chestnuts during a cold?

During a cold, it is advisable to eat fewer chestnuts. Although chestnuts are rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates, and can provide the necessary substances for the body, especially high in carbohydrates, providing the body's energy, it is important to note that chestnuts are warm in nature. Eating too many during a cold can possibly induce symptoms of 'internal heat', leading even to sore throats, which is not conducive to alleviating the condition. Furthermore, during a cold, the patient’s digestive function generally declines, particularly in those with gastroenteric colds, who may also experience significant nausea, abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, etc. Consuming too many chestnuts at this time can potentially cause an increase in abdominal symptoms like bloating and nausea, which are not conducive to recovery and might worsen the patient's appetite. Therefore, during a cold, it is recommended to avoid spicy, stimulating, and hard-to-digest foods.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What foods should you eat when you have a cold or flu?

For patients with typhoid and common cold, their diet should mainly consist of light and easily digestible foods, and they can eat more millet, rice, fish, chicken, and shrimp, which can promote the absorption of calcium and help speed up the healing of typhoid and common cold. It is advised to avoid raw and irritating foods to prevent worsening the condition. It's recommended to drink more water and urinate frequently to effectively speed up the healing of the cold. If the condition is serious, it is essential to go to a standard hospital promptly. Follow the doctor's guidance for symptomatic treatment and pay attention to rest, avoid overworking, and do not stay up late.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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What to drink for a cold with fever?

For heat colds, one should initially drink more mung bean soup, which can act as a heat reliever. Medications like Huoxiang Zhengqi Water can also be taken to alleviate discomfort. Avoid long-term exposure to high temperatures in work and life, and ensure indoor air is well-ventilated and disinfected. Appropriate consumption of green tea, jasmine tea, etc., can also assist in the treatment of heat colds. At the same time, measure body temperature and treat symptoms accordingly based on clinical signs. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
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Is gastroenteritis contagious?

Gastrointestinal cold is a type of common cold, mainly caused by Coxsackie virus. Its main symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, etc. Gastrointestinal cold is generally non-contagious. A contagious illness is generally referred to as influenza, which is caused by the influenza virus and can lead to widespread outbreaks.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How many days does a baby usually have a cold and high fever?

If a baby has a cold and a high fever, it's generally hard to say how many days it will last. If infected by a virus or bacteria, the virulence and the body's immune function are both factors. If the viral strength is weak and the body's resistance is strong, with the appropriate use of medications, the fever can typically be controlled within one to three days. However, if the infection is due to stronger viruses or bacteria, such as the influenza virus, the common fever duration is around five to seven days, or even longer. So, for a common cold, the fever may last about three days, while influenza may last four to five days or even longer.