Recently, the common greeting is no longer “Have you eaten?” but rather “Have you tested positive?” 
Early Symptoms of Infection: Itchy Throat, Desire to Cough
Once you notice the above symptoms, first, drink plenty of water and consume a lot of Vitamin C and B vitamins to alleviate symptoms; second, it is recommended to rinse your nose and gargle with saline solution, which can help disinfect to some extent; third, chew garlic slices, letting them oxidize for 15 minutes before using the garlic juice in your saliva to disinfect your throat. (Excerpt from: Zhan Hao)
There are also different types of colds,
generally categorized as Wind-Cold Colds and Wind-Heat Colds.
How do we distinguish between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat colds?
Note that the symptoms of Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat colds are different, and the treatment methods are completely different. Wind-Cold colds manifest symptoms of cold invasion, so the goal is to dispel the cold and eliminate the illness from the body. If the nasal discharge and phlegm are white, it indicates a Wind-Cold Cold; if the tongue coating is thin and white, it also indicates a Wind-Cold cold. Conversely, if it is a Wind-Heat Cold, it is characterized by heat symptoms, with yellow nasal discharge and phlegm, and the tongue coating is also yellow.
For treating Omicron infections, the methods are similar to those for colds, so we need to respond according to the type. If it is a Wind-Cold Cold, one should take Wind-Cold granules and drink ginger and jujube tea to dispel the cold from the body; conversely, if it is a Wind-Heat Cold, then one should use heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines, such as Lianhua Qingwen (Lianhua Qingwen Capsules), which are effective in clearing heat and detoxifying, and relieving lung heat. If the infection shows heat toxicity, then taking Lianhua Qingwen will definitely be effective; conversely, if it is a cold syndrome, the effect will certainly be poor.
This time, many infections belong to the Wind-Cold type, so taking Lianhua Qingwen will naturally not be effective. Therefore, a straightforward conclusion is that if after infection the tongue coating is yellow, with yellow nasal discharge and yellow phlegm, then one can take Lianhua Qingwen; otherwise, it should not be taken. One must not take the wrong medicine and then claim that the medicine is ineffective. If you need to dispel the cold, but insist on clearing heat, the result will only worsen the cold, and that will certainly not be effective.
However, in colds, Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat can often transform into each other, known as “ice wrapped in fire” or “fire wrapped in ice”; the former means that after dispelling the cold, there is still heat inside, while the latter means that after eliminating the heat, there is still cold inside. This requires dialectical treatment, using the correct medication at each stage. (Excerpt from: Zhan Hao)
Differences Between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat Colds
1. Different Causes
Wind-Cold Cold is caused by the invasion of wind-cold evil and the failure of lung qi to disperse.
Wind-Heat Cold is caused by the invasion of wind-heat evil and the failure of lung qi to harmonize.
2. Different Symptoms
Symptoms of Wind-Cold Cold: severe chills, mild fever, no sweating, headache and body aches, nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge, cough with thin white phlegm, no thirst or preference for hot drinks, and thin white tongue coating.
Symptoms of Wind-Heat Cold: severe fever, slight aversion to wind, headache with a feeling of fullness, sweating, red and swollen sore throat, cough with sticky or yellow phlegm, nasal congestion with yellow nasal discharge, thirst with a preference for drinks, red tongue tip and edges, and thin white with slight yellow tongue coating.
3. Different Fever Responses
Wind-Cold Cold: Due to the invasion of wind-cold evil into the muscle surface, and since cold evil belongs to yin evil, its nature is to condense and close, thus the body’s yang qi is restrained, resulting in mild fever and a greater fear of cold; at the same time, due to the closure of the pores, there is no sweating.
Wind-Heat Cold: Due to the external invasion of wind-heat rather than wind-cold, it primarily manifests as fever, with a lesser degree of fear of cold, or merely a fear of wind; at the same time, wind-heat is a yang evil, which steams the muscle surface, leading to the loosening of the muscle layers, hence sweating may occur but the condition does not improve.
4. Different Phlegm and Nasal Discharge
Wind-Cold Cold has phlegm that is clear and thin, and similarly, the nasal discharge is clear and not turbid.
Wind-Heat Cold has phlegm that is turbid and thick, and the nasal discharge is also turbid and yellow.
5. Different Occurrence Seasons
Wind-Cold Cold often occurs in cold seasons, such as winter, late autumn, and early spring, caused by the invasion of cold evil.
Wind-Heat Cold often occurs in warm seasons, such as spring, early summer, and early autumn, caused by the invasion of wind-heat evil.
6. Different Causes
Wind-Cold Cold is usually caused by fatigue, lack of rest, combined with exposure to wind or cold. If Wind-Cold Cold is not treated in time or treated incorrectly, it can lead to external evil entering the interior, causing constipation or diarrhea. In fact, diarrhea after a Wind-Cold Cold is considered a transformation in TCM, as the disease enters from the outside, so do not casually use anti-diarrheal medicine.
Wind-Heat Cold is usually caused by constipation; typically, after two days of constipation, a sore throat develops for a day or two, followed by cold symptoms. This is Wind-Heat Cold (it can also be due to external heat evil first attacking the lungs). The lungs and large intestine are interrelated; if bowel movements are not smooth, the large intestine affects the lungs, leading to cold symptoms.
Treatment Methods for Wind-Cold Cold
Zheng Chaihu Decoction Granules are suitable for use in the early stage of Wind-Cold Cold.
For traditional Chinese medicine, Wind-Cold Cold can be treated with Wind-Cold Granules, Zheng Chaihu Decoction Granules, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water, Cold Relief Pills, Ginger and Jujube Cold Dispelling Granules and others. Often, individuals with strong resistance can use these medications effectively.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water: The most common Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water is actually a tincture containing 40%-50% alcohol, so it has a stimulating taste. Since alcohol is pungent and warm, it disperses cold effectively. However, due to the alcohol content, it is not suitable for children, the elderly, pregnant women, chronic disease patients, drivers, or those working at heights.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Oral Liquid: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Oral Liquid does not contain alcohol, making it more widely applicable and effective quickly, but the taste is not pleasant.
Here are some dietary therapy methods for Wind-Cold Cold:
1Ginger and Brown Sugar Water
Ingredients: Ginger, brown sugar.
Method: Prepare the two ingredients and brew them with boiling water, then drink instead of tea.
Effect: Dispels wind-cold. Suitable for patients with Wind-Cold Cold.
2Scallion White Porridge
Ingredients: Scallion whites, ginger, glutinous rice, vinegar.
Method: Mash the ginger, wash the glutinous rice, and cook it into porridge; once the porridge is ready, add the mashed ginger, scallion whites, and rice vinegar, stir well, and it is ready to eat.
Effect: Dispels wind-cold. Healthy individuals can also enhance their immune system after consumption.
3Scallion Vinegar Porridge
Ingredients: Whole scallion whites, rice, vinegar.
Method: Clean the scallion whites and cut them into sections; wash the rice; put the scallion whites in a pot with water to cook, and when it boils, add the rice to make porridge; once the porridge is cooked, add a small amount of vinegar, stir well, and it is done.
Effect: This recipe is recommended to be taken every two days, one to two times a day, and continuing for two doses has a good effect of inducing sweating and relieving the exterior.
4Perilla Porridge
Ingredients: Rice, perilla leaves.
Method: Wash the rice and cook it into porridge; once the porridge is ready, add the washed perilla leaves, stir well, and serve hot.
Effect: This recipe is very suitable for patients with Wind-Cold Cold, and it is recommended to consume it hot, which can effectively help the body recover health.
Treatment Methods for Wind-Heat Cold
For Wind-Heat Cold, one can useLianhua Qingwen Capsules, Wind-Heat Cold Granules, Xiao Chaihu Granules, Qingkailing, Antiviral Oral Liquid, Lingqiao Jiedu Pills, Yin Qiao Jiedu Granules and others.
Here are some dietary therapy methods for Wind-Heat Cold:
1Peppermint Porridge
Method: Boil peppermint to extract the juice and let it cool, then add japonica rice and water to cook porridge; when the porridge is almost done, add the peppermint juice and appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Effect: This drink is most suitable for those with Wind-Heat Cold. It is best to consume it warm to induce sweating.
Peppermint is a key herb for dispersing wind-heat, and adding japonica rice and rock sugar to make porridge can promote sweating and also protect the stomach.
2Sang Ju Mint Drink
Method: Combine mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, peppermint, bitter bamboo leaves, and a little honey, add appropriate water, boil, and drink as tea frequently.
Effect: Mulberry leaves clear lung heat. Chrysanthemum disperses wind-heat, brightens the eyes, and calms the liver.
Peppermint is a key herb for dispersing wind-heat, and it can quickly relieve symptoms such as fever and headache. It is also suitable for patients with high blood pressure or headaches and blurred vision.
3Fritillaria and Codonopsis Steamed Pear
Method: Take one pear, peel and core it, fill it with fritillaria, codonopsis, peppermint, and rock sugar, then steam it in a bowl with water until cooked, and eat it in the morning and evening for several days.
Effect: This soup moistens dryness, stops cough, and transforms phlegm to clear the lungs, especially suitable for the elderly and children with cough due to heat injury after a cold, or symptoms of dry throat, yellow phlegm, or constipation.
Regarding Western Medicine
In Western medicine, there is no distinction between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat; often, different symptoms are targeted with compound preparations. Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen are used for fever and pain relief, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine maleate relieve nasal discharge and sneezing symptoms, dextromethorphan is used for cough relief, and amantadine is effective against cold viruses, particularly effective against type A influenza virus. You can choose suitable compound preparations based on your symptoms.
The prominent feature of OTC Western medicines for treating colds is their quick onset, rapidly controlling symptoms, but they are somewhat lacking in controlling viruses, meaning they may not be very effective for sore throat.
Summary of Responses
Omicron is objectively more severe than what those experts say, so Zhan Hao does not agree with the so-called “cold” statement; it is indeed much more serious than any cold experienced before.However, its treatment is similar to that of a cold. However, there are many types of colds, and the symptoms manifested by COVID-19 infections also vary, so as long as one learns to treat various colds, responding to Omicron will not be a problem.Here is a simple summary of the entire process for reference:
1. In the initial stage of an itchy throat, be sure to start drinking plenty of water, aiming for 2.5 to 3 liters a day, and consume a lot of Vitamin C and B vitamins, up to three times the normal dosage. At the same time, you can rinse your nose and gargle with saline solution, and try chewing garlic slices or Sichuan pepper. If there are obvious symptoms of Wind-Cold Cold or Wind-Heat Cold, then respond promptly with the appropriate methods for Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat Cold, and you can also drink Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water.
2. Entering the illness stage, in addition to drinking plenty of water and taking Vitamin C and B vitamins, targeted treatment is necessary. If it is a Wind-Cold Cold, use medications for Wind-Cold Cold, such as Wind-Cold Granules, or a simple and easy-to-use Ginger and Brown Sugar Water can also dispel cold and treat Wind-Cold Cold, and remember to pair it with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water (if there is no water, pills can substitute). If it is a Wind-Heat Cold, then use Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water and Lianhua Qingwen Capsules, or take heat-clearing and detoxifying medications like Ban Lan Gen for cold treatment. When symptoms of Wind-Cold Cold appear without sweating and cooling down, you can double the dosage of Wind-Cold Granules. If physical cooling is needed, try to use medicinal wine; if there is no medicinal wine, diluted alcohol or high-proof liquor can be very effective.
If you encounter severe pain like a “blade cutting the throat”, you can use two methods to alleviate it: one is to soak your feet and hands in moxa until you sweat all over; the other is to use 8 grams of Wu Mei, 6 grams of Gan Cao, 8 grams of Chen Pi, and 3 slices of ginger, boiled with rock sugar to drink, which can be consumed multiple times a day with good results. (Excerpt from: Zhan Hao)
Keep it up! Together we can overcome this challenge! I hope everyone can make it to the finals! 
This article is compiled from: 99 Health Network, Zhan Hao, Li Diandian Editor: Jian Bao Xia