Common colds are divided into two types: common cold and influenza. Usually, there are hundreds of different viruses that cause colds. Roughly divided into: microRNA virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus and influenza virus, and 40% of the cold is caused by the rhinovirus in the first category of viruses, and the last category of viruses caused by the flu, accounting for about 15% of the cold. The common cold is an acute infection of the upper respiratory tract (including acute infection of the nose, throat and pharynx) caused by a variety of viruses. Causes include cold, rain, overexertion, good nutrition, etc. The disease is extremely common, the population is generally susceptible, infants and young children, the elderly and the weak and chronically ill are more susceptible to the disease, which can develop throughout the year, especially in winter and spring. Because the pathogen is a variety of viruses, and each virus has a different blood type, there is no cross-immunity, and the immunity is short-lived after the disease, so the disease can be repeated. For the treatment of the common cold, there are no special antiviral drugs, and there is no need to apply antiviral drugs, not to mention the application of antibiotics. Influenza (influenza for short) is an acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus (influenza virus for short), and because of the fickleness and unpredictability of the influenza virus (mainly influenza A virus), it often causes outbreaks of influenza and even global pandemics. Influenza is divided into three types: A, B, and C. Influenza A has multiple subtypes and is prevalent in humans mainly as H1N1 and H3N2; influenza B and C viruses both have only one antigenic subtype and a limited host species, making influenza pandemics less common. Influenza has significant epidemiological characteristics: sudden outbreaks, rapid spread, causing epidemics of varying degrees, seasonality, and high incidence. Globally, influenza occurs in 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children each year. Most people with influenza recover spontaneously, but serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis or myocarditis can also occur. It is estimated that there are 3-5 million severe cases of influenza worldwide each year, resulting in 250,000-500,000 deaths. Influenza should be considered in any period of time when there are acute respiratory symptoms such as fever with cough and/or sore throat, having been to a unit or community with an influenza outbreak within a week prior to the onset of illness, living with or in close contact with a suspected case of influenza, or returning from a trip to a country or region where influenza is prevalent. In March 2016, the Respiratory Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association issued the Expert Consensus on the Rational Application of Anti-Influenza Virus Drugs for the Treatment of Influenza, stating that once an influenza patient develops, antiviral therapy should be administered as soon as possible, ideally starting within 48h of the onset of symptoms. Early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment are the keys to improving the cure rate and reducing the death rate of influenza! Amantadine and ribavirin are no longer recommended for use as treatment and prevention of influenza. Note: Oseltamivir is only for “influenza” and is not effective for “common cold” and is not effective for other viruses such as herpes virus, EBV, adenovirus, human cytomegalovirus, etc. It should not be used or abused indiscriminately.