Well with the difference that you can quit when you want. Actually I'm not even sure if it works, might just drink the water and hydrate the body, might work better.
One part of getting better from a flu is to get back in shape once it's over and regain one's strenght cause the next one might be just around the corner.
On a related note, here's a good thing to remember that may keep flus and other even more serious diseases from getting around.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7670855.stm