What is the difference between viral cold and wind-heat cold?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on December 13, 2024
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The distinction between viral influenza and wind-heat cold is mainly the different naming conventions used by two different medical systems for the common cold. Viral influenza is a term used in modern medicine to describe a viral infection. In contrast, wind-heat cold is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a type of cold that occurs after being affected by a pathogenic heat.

These two terms are completely different. The pathogen of viral influenza is primarily caused by a viral infection. On the other hand, wind-heat cold is diagnosed based on symptoms, suggesting that the individual might have been affected by pathogenic heat, or has internal heat, leading to the condition.

Therefore, generally, viral influenza is not treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Wind-heat cold, conversely, is not treated with Western medicine. So, if diagnosed with viral influenza, one would typically take some antiviral medications along with Western cold medicines. If diagnosed with wind-heat cold by a TCM practitioner, some appropriate heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese medicines would be prescribed. These represent two distinct medical systems with their unique diagnostic labels for the illness.

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What kind of cold is it when you have a sore throat?

Sore throat leading to colds in patients is most commonly caused by viral infections due to staying up late, fatigue, and decreased resistance. Common viruses include rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and Coxsackie virus. When patients experience a sore throat, symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, fever, and nasal itchiness often accompany it. Diagnosis can be confirmed through tests such as routine blood tests, electronic nasendoscopy, and C-reactive protein tests. Under the guidance of a specialist, antiviral medications are used for symptomatic treatment. Patients in competitions may use medications that clear the orifices to improve symptoms. It is important to stay warm, avoid getting cold, and enhance one's immune system.

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Is it good to run and sweat when you have a cold caused by wind-cold?

Patients with a cold caused by exposure to cold and wind are advised to rest as much as possible and avoid running and sweating, as this could lead to catching a chill and potentially worsening the cold. If you are indoors, running and sweating can be okay, but make sure not to expose yourself to drafts afterwards. It's best to sit down and rest to ease the sweating before resuming activities. If the condition is severe, medication can be taken for effective improvement. Also, avoid consuming stimulating, greasy, or cold foods in your diet; instead, drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to help effectively improve your condition.

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The difference between bacterial cold and viral cold

The primary differences between bacterial colds and viral colds are as follows: Firstly, their pathogens are different. Bacterial colds are caused by bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to bacterial colds. Viral colds are caused by viral infections, including rhinovirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Secondly, their clinical symptoms also differ. Bacterial colds may present with high fever, coughing, and purulent sputum. In contrast, viral colds rarely involve a high fever, and typically include symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and coughing up white mucus. Thirdly, their treatment methods differ. Bacterial colds generally require anti-inflammatory medications, while viral colds are often treated with antiviral medications.

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Can you not eat seafood when you have a cold?

Cold patients can generally eat seafood unless they are allergic to it. The common cold is the most frequently seen acute upper respiratory tract infection in clinical settings, and it is a contagious disease. It can cause a variety of clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, patients with a cold will experience certain consumption, including nutritional and fluid loss. Seafood is the most common marine product food, and it does not affect the common cold. This means that eating seafood does not worsen the clinical symptoms of a cold. Moreover, seafood contains rich nutrients, which can beneficially supplement the losses caused by the cold. Of course, a very small number of cold patients may have an allergic constitution and be allergic to seafood, in which case it is not suitable for them, but this situation is very rare.

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Can air conditioning cause coughing?

Air conditioning cold is also a very common factor that triggers the onset of colds. Clinically speaking, an air conditioning cold is typically caused by staying too long in an air-conditioned room during the hot summer, where the temperature is set too low, leading to clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and fever. Even for colds caused by catching a chill, the symptoms can vary in severity among patients, and not all patients will exhibit the same clinical symptoms. Some patients may not show obvious coughing, while others might develop coughing symptoms due to exposure to air conditioning. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the specific circumstances of each patient, as the immune function of each patient varies, leading to different clinical symptoms after catching a chill.