There is no treatment for influenza except rest, Tylenol and chicken soup. There are also two older drugs, amantadine and rimantadine, that are pills. These older drugs have not been widely used because doctors hesitate to treat without a definitive diagnosis of influenza. In addition, there has been evidence of the emergence of antiviral drug-resistant viruses. However, the newer antivirals seem to have fewer side effects.
Antibiotics prevent complications of the flu.
In fact, they may increase the likelihood for complications, with the causative germs more apt to be resistant and dangerous. The CDC predicts what strains will cause the next year's outbreak. In 1997-1998, influenza was caused by a strain that didn't emerge until after the vaccine was made, so the vaccine's effectiveness was diminished. The effectiveness of a person's immune system varies from person to person. The vaccine is less effective in persons over age 65.