What should I do about a sore throat and dry cough caused by catching a chill in hot weather?

When the weather is hot, the pores on the skin open up, making it easier for cold pathogens to invade the body if one catches a chill. This can lead to impaired lung function and symptoms such as sore throat and dry cough. A sore throat may be caused by irritation or inflammation of the throat mucosa, while a dry cough is usually a reflex response triggered by irritation of the respiratory tract.

It is recommended to rest adequately, drink plenty of water, maintain good indoor air circulation, and avoid further exposure to cold. Diet should be light and bland, avoiding spicy, greasy, or irritating foods that may worsen throat discomfort. Symptomatic treatments can be used to relieve symptoms—for example, taking throat lozenges such as Watermelon Frost Lozenges or Jin Shengzi Houbao, which can alleviate sore throat. For more severe dry cough, oral cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan syrup may be taken.

If symptoms persist, worsen, or are accompanied by fever, phlegm production, or difficulty breathing, prompt medical attention should be sought.