this is an early-stage damp-heat or summer-heat warm-febrile disease in which dampness predominates and the pathogenic influences are lodged in the wei- and qi-level.

although the chills, headache, and heavy and painful pody sensations are similar to an exterior cold condition, the pulse suggests otherwise! also, the chills here are caused by constriction of the yang from dampness, and are much milder than the chills associated with exterior cold.

dampness lodged in the flesh and muscles causes a heavy sensation in the body and generalized pain; it also prevents the clear yang from rising, which causes headache, a stifling sensation in the chest, and loss of appetite. when dampness, a yin pathogenic influence, combines with heat, it sequesters (traps) the heat in the deeper levels of the body. this manifests as fever in the afternoon, or the “yin within the yang” time of the day.

the predominance of dampness is reflected in the pale-yellow complexion, the white tongue coating and the soggy pulse.

(bensky & barolet)