Other practices which strengthen your immune system also reduce your risk of catching the flu. It is important to get enough rest, drink plenty of liquids, eat nutritious meals, exercise moderately, and avoid immune system depressants such as tobacco and alcohol. Washing your hands frequently may also reduce your exposure to the virus. Rest is very important. Antibiotics have no effect on the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection and antibiotics work only against bacterial infections.
Prescription antiviral medications such as amantadine, rimantadine, and a new class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors can decrease the duration of severe flu symtoms by about 1 day if started within 48 hours of symptom onset. Just about everyone who catches the flu feels really lousy and sick for several days, but just about everyone also recovers fully with rest and symptomatic treatment. A small percentage of people with the flu develop complications which may be serious. These include pneumonia, secondary bacterial sinus and ear infections, and worsening of underlying medical problems such as asthma and diabetes. If you are sure that you have the flu it is reasonable to rest at home and take symptomatic medication as needed.