Colds are upper respiratory tract infections, and neocoronavirus pneumonia is new coronavirus pneumonia. Whether it is an upper respiratory tract infection or a new coronavirus pneumonia can be determined by one’s own symptoms and epidemiologic history, and patients can also be determined by imaging and laboratory tests. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections may present with cough and runny nose, while patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia may present with fever, dry cough, decreased or loss of smell, decreased or loss of taste, and conjunctivitis. Upper respiratory tract infections are self-limiting and usually resolve spontaneously with a gradual decrease in symptoms, but patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia may experience a gradual increase in symptoms. Due to the ongoing mutation of the new coronavirus, the clinical symptoms of infection are constantly changing, and the general population may not be able to accurately differentiate between some of the clinical manifestations. Therefore, if patients want to differentiate between colds and C.N.C.P., they can determine whether they are infected with C.N.C.P. from the epidemiologic history and the results of nucleic acid test or antigen test. In addition, patients can also go to the hospital for imaging tests. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections do not have obvious manifestations, and patients with neocoronavirus pneumonia have manifestations such as multiple patchy ground-glass shadows in both lungs. Patients can also undergo laboratory tests. Antibody tests are negative in patients with upper respiratory tract infections and positive in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. Patients with symptoms should seek medical attention to identify the cause of their illness, follow the advice of medical staff, CDC, and community workers, and follow medical advice.