You can distinguish between a hot cough and a cold cough based on the symptoms of the cough. A hot cough is characterized by little phlegm, sticky phlegm, and unpleasant phlegm, while a cold cough is usually characterized by thin, white phlegm. A hot cough may be caused by wind-heat or phlegm-heat in the lungs, or liver fire in the lungs, while a cold cough is usually caused by wind-cold in the lungs. Hot cough is generally frequent and violent cough, cough hoarse or coarse, cough and little sputum, cough sputum is not refreshing, sputum viscous or yellow sputum, may be accompanied by yellow snot, thirst and dry mouth, tongue red or moss thin yellow and other symptoms. Cold cough is generally a heavy cough, throat itching, shortness of breath, cough phlegm more thin white color, can be seen together with nasal discharge, bad wind, headache, limb pain, tongue coating thin white and other symptoms. When the patient cough is difficult to relieve, should be timely medical standardized treatment, so as not to delay the condition.