Most common causes of cough are due to respiratory tract infections, while cough with a runny nose is most often seen in upper respiratory tract infections induced by cold and climate change. The pathogens of upper respiratory tract infections are mostly viruses such as rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus and hemolytic streptococcus. In addition, during the flu season, attention should be paid to the presence of influenza. After coughing with a runny nose, it is necessary to pay more attention to keep warm to avoid catching cold again, and drink more hot water and take more rest; it is necessary to pay close attention to the appearance of other accompanying symptoms, such as fever, headache, aching limbs and coughing up pus. Based on the above concomitant symptoms, further clarify whether bacterial infection is combined or whether bronchitis, pneumonia and other diseases are present. Influenza virus caused by runny cough symptoms are not serious, and systemic toxicity symptoms are more serious, with high fever, headache, and generalized aches and pains, requiring early isolation and antiviral treatment with drugs such as oseltamivir; upper respiratory tract infections caused by rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus do not require antiviral treatment and have a self-limiting course. Upper respiratory tract infections caused by other bacteria such as Streptococcus haemolyticus generally have recurrent fever and perfect blood tests suggesting bacterial infection, which require anti-infective treatment with antibacterial drugs such as amoxicillin and cephalosporins under the guidance of a specialist. Therefore, if there is clear runny nose and cough, the course of the disease is mostly self-limiting and can generally recover on its own as long as it keeps warm, drinks more water and rests more, but if it is combined with fever, coughing up pus and prolonged course of the disease, it needs to be investigated for bacterial infection or combined with infection in other parts of the body, in which case active treatment is needed and specialist hospital consultation is recommended.