This is one of the four patterns of the Greater Yang stage, the second stage of the Six Stages theory.

As opposed to Attack of Wind, another pattern of the Greater Yang stage, there is an emphasis on Cold rather than Wind. As such when a key symptom of Attack of Wind is the sweating, in this pattern there is no sweating. This is because Cold contracts the pores, which prevents sweating.

The slight fever is not necessarily an actual fever but more the hot feeling of the patient’s skin on palpation, what the Chinese call "heat emission" of the skin.

The aversion to cold is due to the obstruction of the space between the skin and muscles by Wind: this impairs the circulation of Defensive Qi which cannot fulfill its function of warming the muscles.

The occipital headache and stiff neck are caused by the obstruction of Qi in the Greater Yang channels of Small Intestine and Gallbladder. These channels pass through the neck and head, hence the symptoms.

The runny nose as well as breathlessness is because of Rebellious Qi of the Lungs.