Which organ is affected in patients with the common cold?

The main organ affected by the common cold is the lungs. The lungs govern the skin and hair and are responsible for respiration; external pathogens easily invade the body through the mouth, nose, and skin, affecting the lungs and triggering illness. In some cases, associated areas such as the spleen, stomach, nose, and throat may also be involved. If a cold persists for more than a week or symptoms such as high fever or difficulty breathing develop, prompt medical attention is recommended.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs are considered the "canopy" of the internal organs—highest in position and directly connected to the external environment—serving as the first line of defense against external pathogens. The common cold typically results from invasion of pathogenic factors such as wind-cold or wind-heat, which impair the lung's normal functions of dispersion and descent, leading to typical symptoms including cough, phlegm production, nasal congestion, and runny nose.

The lungs and spleen influence each other. During a cold, digestive function may weaken, resulting in poor appetite and indigestion. Additionally, since the nose is the orifice of the lungs and the throat serves as the gateway to the lungs, discomfort in these areas often appears first when external pathogens attack, with subsequent symptoms primarily revolving around dysfunction of the lungs.

In daily life, it is important to ensure adequate rest and avoid overexertion, drink plenty of warm water to moisten dryness in the lungs, maintain a light and easily digestible diet to reduce strain on the spleen and stomach, keep indoor air well-ventilated to prevent accumulation of pathogenic factors, and dress warmly appropriately to prevent re-exposure to cold, all of which support recovery of lung function.