Colds can be categorized as wind-cold and wind-heat colds in Chinese medicine according to their causes and symptoms. Viral cold refers to influenza, which is a Western medical name for a common acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus. In terms of etiology, wind-cold cold is caused by the invasion of wind-cold evils into the human body and the loss of lung qi propagation; while wind-heat cold is caused by the invasion of wind-heat evils into the human body and the loss of harmony between the guardian surface and the lung’s purifying function is affected. In terms of symptoms, wind-cold flu is characterized by light fever, fear of cold, headache, no sweating, heavy body, no thirst, itchy throat, etc. Wind-heat flu is characterized by heavy fever, light fear of cold, sweating, thirst, sore throat, etc. Influenza needs to be diagnosed on the basis of epidemiologic history, clinical signs and symptoms, and pathogenetic tests. A definitive diagnosis requires a pathogenetic basis. There is fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and fatigue, cough, sore throat, etc. The peripheral white blood cell count is mostly low or normal, with a marked decrease in neutrophils. Virus isolation is the “gold standard” for laboratory testing. It is recommended that colds should be actively consulted, and standardized treatment in accordance with medical advice.