Is a sore throat due to a heat-type cold or a cold-type cold?

Generally, a sore throat may be a symptom of either a heat-type cold or a cold-type cold. Both types can cause sore throat symptoms. A detailed analysis is as follows:

A cold-type cold is usually caused by exposure to cold pathogens. The sore throat symptoms are generally mild, possibly manifesting as dryness, itching, or slight pain in the throat, without redness, swelling, or a burning sensation. Cold-type colds are often accompanied by coughing, nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, and sneezing. Heat-type colds, on the other hand, are caused by internal heat or invasion of heat pathogens. The sore throat symptoms are usually more severe, with throat pain often accompanied by redness, swelling, and a burning sensation. Heat-type colds are also accompanied by symptoms such as swollen and painful throat, nasal congestion, coughing, and yellow or purulent phlegm.

For sore throat caused by a heat-type cold, treatment usually involves medications such as Jinhua Qinggan Granules, Lianhua Qingwen Granules, or Reyanning Granules, under a doctor's guidance. These medicines have effects of clearing heat and detoxifying. For sore throat due to a cold-type cold, medications such as Cefalexin Tablets, Ganmao Qingre Granules, or Ganmao Shufeng Capsules may be used as directed by a physician, providing antibacterial effects and dispelling cold pathogens.

For sore throat caused by a heat-type cold, dandelion or patrinia root can be boiled or steeped in water for drinking, which helps clear heat, detoxify, and soothe the throat. For sore throat associated with a cold-type cold, ginger soup can be prepared as a dietary therapy to help resist colds.