How to distinguish between bacterial cold and viral cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

Updated on October 31, 2024

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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 Hu Bai Yu

Pulmonology

1min

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How many days has the cold caused a runny nose?

If you have a cold with a runny nose, it will generally recover within about seven days. Since this is just a common cold and it is self-limiting, there is no need for excessive worry. However, if the symptoms are more severe and include coughing, phlegm, and fever, it is important to take some anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications along with symptomatic treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Recovery should also take about three to five days, and there is no need for excessive worry. Additionally, it is important to keep warm, avoid catching cold, eat a light diet, avoid spicy and greasy foods, cold and irritating foods, drink plenty of water to promote metabolism, and enhance your immunity. Do not stay up late and ensure sufficient sleep to help the illness recover faster. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician when taking medication and avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

59sec

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What to eat for a child with a cold?

If a child's cold is considered to be caused by a viral infection, it is important to monitor the baby's temperature and mental response, among other factors. If the child does not have a fever, or only has a low fever and is in good spirits, simply monitoring the baby’s condition and ensuring they drink plenty of warm water and eat light, easily digestible foods is sufficient, with no other special requirements needed. However, some colds, such as those with persistent high fever, lethargy, and poor responsiveness, are more serious and require immediate attention. It is crucial to visit the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment in these cases. Sometimes, the impact of a cold should not be underestimated, as diseases like myocarditis and intracranial infections can initially be triggered by a cold. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis is necessary to make a judgement, and treatment should proceed under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Chen Si

Pediatrics

46sec

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How to regulate a child who often catches a cold?

Children often catch colds due to poor immunity. To improve this situation, it is necessary to enhance their physique. Along with increasing outdoor physical exercises, it is also crucial to ensure sufficient sleep to support normal physical development and boost metabolism. Nutritionally, it's important to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring the intake of high-quality proteins like fish, shrimp, eggs, and milk weekly, and consuming plenty of vegetables and fruits. Additionally, supplementing with trace elements such as calcium, iron, and zinc may be appropriate. In severe cases, oral medications to boost immunity can be taken, but this is not a permanent solution.

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Written by An Yong Peng

Pulmonology

1min 8sec

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What is the difference between a hot cold and a cool cold?

Cold from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine is classified into two types: Wind-Heat Cold and Wind-Cold Cold. A Wind-Heat Cold may present symptoms such as coughing, coughing up yellow phlegm, yellow nasal discharge, sore throat, and fever. In contrast, a Wind-Cold Cold typically manifests as clear nasal discharge, dry cough or coughing up white phlegm, along with aversion to cold, headache, muscle soreness, and possibly a mild fever. Clinically, Wind-Cold Cold and Wind-Heat Cold are distinct and should be diagnosed under the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can prescribe specific herbal treatments based on the patient’s symptoms. From a Western medicine perspective, symptomatic treatment is generally recommended. However, it is crucial to assess if the patient exhibits symptoms such as purulent phlegm, high fever, or persistently unimproved cold symptoms, which may indicate the need for a hospital visit to investigate potential bacterial infections that might require antimicrobial treatments.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

49sec

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Is it serious to catch a cold in early pregnancy?

In the early stages of pregnancy, if a pregnant woman catches a cold, it generally does not affect the fetus unless it is particularly severe, such as having a high fever. In day-to-day life, it is important to drink plenty of water, rest, avoid overexertion, enhance nutrition, and eat light, easily digestible foods. These measures can typically alleviate the condition on their own. However, if a cold occurs again and the symptoms are severe, such as high fever or intense coughing, it is necessary to seek timely treatment at a reputable hospital. During a cold, it is advised to avoid medication unless absolutely necessary, in which case medication should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.