Last time I travelled to China (Shanghai, airport: PVG) there was some kind of imaging system that allegedly screened people entering for some list of diseases.
I have a cold or flu or some kind of upper respiratory infection right now. Primary symptom is an awful cough and phlegm (sorry to be descript)
I am wondering if I should expect any issue entering?
These devices are infrared thermometers used to screen people to check if they have a fever. If one has a fever, he/she will be required to have his/her body temperature taken, and will potentially be sent to medical facilities if there is something wrong.
There was a few avian and swine influenza epidemics in China a few years ago (and also the infamous SARS epidemic) which went pretty bad, so border authorities decided to sceeen people and check if they have suspicious fevers.
If you don't have a fever, you will pass without questions asked. If it's a very slight fever (i.e., <37.5 degrees Celsius), I don't think there will be problems either - just take good rest.
