The difference between wind-heat感冒 and wind-cold感冒
Dec 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
The main differences between wind-heat感冒 and wind-cold感冒 lie in aspects such as etiology and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, season of onset, tongue and pulse characteristics, and susceptible populations. If symptoms persistently worsen or high fever, difficulty breathing, or similar conditions occur, prompt medical attention is necessary. Wind-heat感冒 is caused by external invasion of wind-heat pathogens affecting the lung and defensive systems, resulting in impaired lung qi dispersion; wind-cold感冒 is caused by external constraint of wind-cold pathogens on the muscles and skin.
The main differences between wind-heat感冒 and wind-cold感冒 lie in aspects such as etiology and pathogenesis, symptom presentation, season of onset, tongue and pulse characteristics, and susceptible populations. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if high fever, difficulty breathing, or other serious conditions occur, prompt medical attention is necessary.
1. Etiology and Pathogenesis: Wind-heat感冒 results from external invasion of wind-heat pathogens affecting the lung and defensive (wei) qi systems, leading to impaired lung function and failure of lung qi to disperse properly. Wind-cold感冒 is caused by external constraint of wind-cold pathogens on the muscles and skin, with internal stagnation affecting lung qi, thereby impairing the body's defensive qi function.
2. Symptom Presentation: Wind-heat感冒 typically presents with prominent fever, mild aversion to wind, sore and swollen throat, cough with yellow phlegm, nasal congestion with yellowish nasal discharge. In contrast, wind-cold感冒 is characterized by marked chills, mild fever, absence of sweating, body aches, cough with white phlegm, and nasal congestion with clear, watery nasal discharge.
3. Season of Onset: Wind-heat感冒 commonly occurs in summer and autumn, especially during hot or humid weather. Wind-cold感冒 tends to peak in winter and spring, often triggered by sudden drops in temperature or exposure to cold.
4. Tongue and Pulse Characteristics: In wind-heat感冒, the tongue tip appears red with a thin yellow coating, and the pulse is floating and rapid. In wind-cold感冒, the tongue has a thin white coating, the pulse is floating and tight, and the tongue tip may not appear significantly red.
5. Susceptible Populations: Wind-heat感冒 frequently affects individuals with a heat-prone constitution, those who habitually stay up late, or those who consume spicy and greasy foods. Wind-cold感冒 more commonly affects people with a cold constitution, weakened immunity, or those who fail to keep warm adequately.
For daily care, ensure adequate rest and avoid overexertion. Drink plenty of warm water to maintain hydration, follow a light and easily digestible diet, minimize intake of spicy and raw-cold foods, adjust clothing according to temperature changes, maintain good indoor ventilation, and support the body’s recovery process.
