Is influenza a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat?

Flu, or influenza, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. It is neither cold-induced common cold nor heat-induced common cold. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Cold-induced common cold is caused by prolonged exposure to cold air and invasion of cold pathogens, and generally does not cause infection. Heat-induced common cold is caused by invasion of heat pathogens, often due to external contraction of wind-heat pathogens. Influenza is caused by the influenza virus and is highly contagious with rapid transmission.

Influenza has a sudden onset, with systemic symptoms such as high fever, chills, and body aches appearing during the prodromal stage. Physical signs are usually mild, and may be accompanied by local symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, and dry cough. Patients with cold-induced common cold often experience severe chills, mild fever, headache, absence of perspiration, and body aches. Additional symptoms may include nasal congestion, clear runny nose, cough, and thin sputum production. Patients with heat-induced common cold mainly present with high fever, mild chills, common cold symptoms, and are prone to coughing, nasal congestion, yellow runny nose, and production of yellow sputum.

If diagnosed with influenza, patients can take medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, or oseltamivir phosphate capsules under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.