Source: Family Doctor (jtys1983)
Q:
Dear Health Enthusiast, Hello! I have a slight cold recently, with a sore throat and phlegm. My mother said this is a manifestation of “heat” and is classified as a wind-heat cold, so she gave me medicine for wind-heat colds.
I have some doubts about this, so I would like to ask you: how can we distinguish between wind-cold and wind-heat colds?
Many people believe that a sore throat during a cold is a sign of “heat” and must be a wind-heat cold, which is actually incorrect.
A sore throat is not the key to distinguishing between wind-heat and wind-cold colds; often, a wind-cold cold can also present with a sore throat.
Generally speaking, a typical wind-heat cold is characterized by a dry and itchy throat, nasal congestion, thick yellow phlegm, a strong cough, thirst, headache, and yellow urine, but chills are not prominent; additionally, there may be important signs such as swollen tonsils, congested throat, and a red tongue with yellow coating.
In contrast, a typical wind-cold cold presents with significant aversion to cold, chills, no sweating, nasal congestion, clear runny nose, cough, thin white phlegm, headache, and body aches.
In summary, accurately distinguishing between these two types of colds is crucial for medication, so do not make assumptions. If you are still unsure, it is advisable to visit a hospital for a doctor’s diagnosis and follow their medication guidance.
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