Within the Four-Levels theory, Wind-Heat is the first level of invasion of External Pathogens, when it still resides in the body's Exterior.

This pattern is similar to Wind-Cold, but the Wind is together with Heat rather than Cold. The common symptoms are aversion to cold, sneezing, coughing, runny nose (with different mucus color), fever, occipital stiffness and ache. The different symptoms are the yellow mucus, thirst, slight sweating, more fever and red tongue tip or sides. The pulse is rather Rapid than Tight.

The Lungs are one of the first Organs to be affected by invasion of Wind-Heat. Its function of dispersing Defensive Qi to the skin and muscles are greatly disturbed, so that both can not be warmed properly. Therefore, patients feel chilly and dislike cold environment

The tongue tip or sides are red, which indicates the Exterior case. The thin white coating appears often at the beginning of the disease, because the Pernicious Evil is on the Exterior.