Since the "common cold" and the "flu" are caused by viruses antibiotics are of no use and may make matters worse if taken. However, there are ways of trying to ease the symptoms while your body naturally fights the infection. Rest is the most important. The body uses up a great deal of energy fighting infections so resting for the first couple of days gets it off to a good start. Advice on suitable remedies is available from the local pharmacist. Always contact your doctor if you are not getting better after a few days, if you are unduly short of breath, or if you are coughing up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm.

For mild illness in people who are not at high-risk, the treatment of influenza is frequently just supportive and includes bed rest, analgesics (pain killers) for muscle aches and pains, and increased intake of fluids. Common medications, such as acetaminophen, are used to treat fever and aches and pains. If you should develop a bacterial complication, however, your doctor can give you an antibiotic.

If influenza is diagnosed within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, in particular among high-risk groups, several antiviral medications are available which may shorten the duration of symptoms by approximately 1 day. These medications include amantadine or rimantadine (active against influenza A only); oseltamivir and zanamivir (active against influenza A and B). As each of these medicines has different side effects and affects different viruses, your physician will determine which one is best for you.

Treatment is usually not necessary for children, but if the illness is diagnosed early and the patient is at risk of progression to more severe disease, it can be started. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is the best choice for children. It is available in a liquid formulation and may be easier to give to the child than zanamivir (Relenza) which is not licensed for children less than 12 years old and needs to be given by via inhaler. Treatment will only help if started early and only if the illness is actually influenza, it will not help treat a "regular cold."