The common cold has many forms in traditional Chinese medicine. The most common forms fall under the categories of wind cold and wind heat. As is the nature of exterior disorders involving wind, the pattern may change very quickly, necessitating a change in treatment strategy over the course of an illness. In all the forms a cold, as well as a cough or the flu, may take, prompt treatment brings the most effective results. The longer one waits to treat an infectious disease, the longer it takes to clear the pathogen.

The common cold refers to a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. This infection can be due to different types of viruses, so there is no one "cold virus." In fact, over 200 types of viruses are known to cause the common cold. Characteristic symptoms include
cough,
stuffy or runny nose,
scratchy or sore throat,
sneezing.

The following symptoms and signs may also occur:
Low-grade fever,
Watery eyes,
Headache,
Fatigue,
Body aches.