Introduction
Influenza refers to acute infection of respiratory tract due to influenza virus. Clinically it is marked by sudden onset, evident general poisoning symptoms, appearance of fever, headache, general aching and lassitude as well as mild symptoms of the respiratory tract. This disease is similar to "Shixing Ganmao" (Influenza) in TCM. Exogenous seasonal pathogenic factor is the main cause of this disease. Due to difference in seasons and constitution, this syndrome is manifested either as wind-cold or wind-heat with the complications of summer-heat and dampness. It may be caused by pathogenic wind, cold and dampness that block the pores, stagnate yang-qi and hinder the dispersion of pulmonary qi; or by pathogenic wind, heat, summer-heat and dryness that affect the conveyance of the muscular interstices, leading to scorching of the lung by pathogenic heat and failure of the lung to depurate.

Syndrome Differentiation
1. Wind-Cold Syndrome
Aversion to cold, fever, no sweating, headache, heaviness and aching of the limbs, nasal itching and sneezing, running nose, throat itching and cough, thin sputurn, thin and white tongue fur, floating or floating and tense pulse.

2. Wind-Heat Syndrome
Severe fever and slight aversion to cold, or sweating, pain and distension in the head, dry mouth, dry throat or sore throat, heavy cough, yellow and sticky sputum, nasal obstruction with thick sputum, yellow and thin tongue fur, floating and rapid pulse.

3. Syndrome due to Seasonal Pathogenic Factors with Dampness
Aversion to cold, fever, dull fever, unsmooth sweating, aching and heavy sensation in the body, dizzy, heavy and distending sensation in the head, fullness and oppression in the chest and epigastrium, anorexia and abdominal distension, loose stool, heavy cough, expectoration of white and sticky sputum, white and greasy or light yellow and greasy tongue fur, soft pulse.

4. Syndrome due to Seasonal Pathogenic Factors with Summer-Heat
Severe fever, burning sensation in the skin, non-relief after sweating, dysphoria and thirst, scanty and brown urine, cough with scanty and very sticky sputum, dry and sore throat, red tongue with yellow fur and rapid pulse.

Treatment
1. Body Acupuncture
Prescription: Fengchi (GB 20), Lieque (LU 7), Hegu (LI 4) and Yingxiang (LI 20).

Modification: For wind-cold syndrome, Fengmen (BL 12) and Zhizheng (SI 7) are added; for wind-heat syndrome, Chize (LU 5) and Yuji (LU 10) are added; for complication of dampness, Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) are added; for complication of summer-heat, Dazhui (GV 14) and Quchi (LI 11) are added; for headache, Yintang (EX - HN 3), Touwei (ST 8) and Ashi acupoints are added; for sore throat, Shaoshang (LU 11) and Futu (ST 32) are added.

Performance:Reducing needling technique is used. Shaoshang (LU 11) is pricked for bloodletting. Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12) are needled with the addition of moxibustion or cupping. The needles are usually retained for 30 minutes. For the treatment of patients with high fever, the retention of needles can be prolonged. The needles are manipulated once every 5 - 10 minutes and the treatment is given once or twice a day.

2. Ear Acupuncture
Prescription: Lung (CO14), Internal Nose (TG4), Trachea (CO16), Throat (TG3), Forehead (AT1) and Adrenal Gland (TG2p).

Performance: Each time 2 - 3 acupoints are selected and needled with filiform needles with moderate stimulation. The needles are retained for 20 - 30 minutes each time and manipulated once every 5 - 10 minutes.