Abstract: Objective To develop a sensitive,specific,rapid method for detection and identification of human influenza viruses.Methods RT-PCR and multiplex RT-PCR were used to detect HA1,HA3,and HA(B) genes with several type or subtype specific primers in human influenza viruses.Results HA1,HA3,and HA(B) genes were able to be amplified by the RT-PCR and multiplex RT-PCR from human influenza viruses HA1,HA3,and HA(B) respectively.Virus types or subtypes were determined according to the length of amplified products,and the results were consistent with ones by hemagglutinaiton inhibition test.From 3 throat swabs samples of patients with upper respiratory tract infections,one was found HA3 gene posirive by the multiplex RT-PCR,which was testified by conventional chicken embryo culture and hemagglutination inhibition test.Conclusion The RT-PCR and multiplex RT-PCR can be used in rapid detetion and identification of common human influenza viruses,and the latter is more effective.