Why do I have a dry mouth and throat when I have a cold?
Disease description:
I caught a chill a few days ago and then came down with a cold. These days, my throat feels like it's on fire, and I have a dry mouth and tongue. Why does having a cold cause a dry mouth and throat?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
When a cold causes symptoms of dry mouth and throat, it is usually due to the body's inflammatory response triggered by the cold and subsequent fluid loss. During a cold, viral or bacterial invasion stimulates the immune system, producing an inflammatory response that reduces secretion from the oral mucosa and decreases oral moisture, resulting in feelings of dryness in the mouth and throat. A cold is often accompanied by symptoms such as fever and sweating, which can lead to significant fluid loss and further exacerbate dry mouth and throat. During a cold, patients may also reduce their water intake due to discomfort in the throat, which is another contributing factor to dry mouth and throat. Therefore, in addition to actively treating the cold, it is important to maintain adequate fluid intake to alleviate symptoms of dry mouth and throat.
