Novel viral infections occur mainly in winter and spring, which is also the peak season for the onset of the common cold. Differential diagnosis is needed clinically to avoid misdiagnosis. The common cold has a clear medical history, such as a history of cold, fever, and respiratory symptoms. New coronavirus infection also presents with fever and may be combined with respiratory symptoms, similar to those of the common cold. Further differentiation is based on laboratory tests and epidemiological history, which may not be available for the common cold, and laboratory tests and routine blood tests. If the patient presents with neo-coronavirus pneumonia, there are relatively CT-specific manifestations, and finally, respiratory pathogenic nucleic acid testing should be done. These aspects are combined to determine whether it is a novel coronavirus infection. Content source: Dr. You Lai