Coughing is a very common symptom among patients, with numerous and complex triggering factors. Determining the specific cause of a cough requires analyzing the nature of the cough, such as whether it is productive or dry, and considering other related clinical manifestations. Clinically, symptoms can help distinguish whether a cough is caused by a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat. Typically, colds due to wind-cold often occur in winter. Symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat, varying degrees of fever, and primarily a dry cough. Conversely, colds due to wind-heat are more common in summer and are accompanied by more pronounced general symptoms. These include sore throat, fever, chills, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Thus, simply having a productive cough does not confirm whether it is due to a wind-cold or wind-heat cold. If the cough produces yellow phlegm and occurs in summer, it generally indicates a wind-heat cold.