Abstract: Methods are described for treating an influenza viral infection or associated diseases, disorders or mechanisms in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a catecholic butane of the general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower acyl, an alkylene, or —OR1 and —OR2 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted amino acid residue or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; R3, R4, R5, R6, R10, R11, R12 and R13 each independently represents a hydrogen, or a lower alkyl; and R7, R8 and R9 each independently represents a hydrogen, —OH, a lower alkoxy, a lower acyloxy, an unsubstituted or substituted amino acid residue or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or any two adjacent groups together may be an alkyene dioxy; with the proviso in certain circumstances that where one of R7, R8 and R9 represents a hydrogen, then —OR1, —OR2 and the oth