Can I go to the plateau if I have a mild cold?

The plateau is the dream of many people because the plateau has blue sky and white clouds, natural beauty, fresh air, and fascinating ethnic culture. However, since the plateau area is at a relatively high altitude, some people who usually live in the plains will inevitably experience some altitude sickness when they visit there. In addition, some people with special physical conditions should not go to the plateau, especially for those who have a cold, going to the plateau will greatly threaten their health.

1. It is best not to go to the plateau after catching a cold

Going to Tibet with a serious cold is very likely to cause complications. High-altitude pulmonary edema is a very dangerous mountain disease, which is mostly caused by a cold. If not treated in time, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, patients with colds must recover before entering Tibet. High-altitude pulmonary edema refers to symptoms of resting dyspnea, chest tightness, cough, white or pink frothy sputum, general fatigue or reduced mobility experienced by patients who have recently arrived at a plateau (generally above 3,000 meters above sea level).

2. What should I do if I catch a cold in the plateau?

Catching a cold at high altitudes is generally not a big problem, because after being at the plateau for a period of time, the body has basically adjusted and has a certain degree of adaptability and resistance. If you catch a cold, just seek timely treatment. Doctors in the plateau are very experienced in treating colds, so if you catch a cold in the plateau, you don't have to worry too much.

Tourists can also bring some cold medicine with them. Once there are signs of a cold, they can take some common cold medicines themselves. Generally, the symptoms will disappear within 1-2 days.

3. Who should not go to the plateau?

1. Patients with organic heart disease, coronary artery insufficiency, significant arrhythmia, venous pulse rate over 100 beats/min, severe hypertension and various blood diseases.

2. People suffering from various respiratory diseases, such as bronchiectasis, asthma, interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory insufficiency and active pulmonary tuberculosis.

3. People suffering from epilepsy, severe neurasthenia, and cerebrovascular disease.

4. Patients with severe gastrointestinal diseases, such as active peptic ulcer, chronic active hepatitis, and renal insufficiency.

5. Those with uncontrolled diabetes and other severe endocrine system dysfunction.

6. Those who have a history of high-altitude heart disease, severe high-altitude coma, high-altitude pulmonary edema, as well as those who have a history of obvious symptoms of altitude sickness, high-altitude hypertension, and high-altitude polycythemia.

7. People with high myopia or pathological myopia may suffer from blindness due to hypoxia, which may induce retinal detachment.