Follow doctor's orders, and stock up on lots of blankets and clear liquids.

"Do I need Tamiflu? Or do I just need to take this thing off my head?"

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—As more people succumb to the H1N1 swine flu, Tamiflu, the antiviral medication used to fight the disease, is becoming a hot commodity. But should everyone who contracts the virus press his or her physician for the medication? Or should clear liquids and plenty of bed rest be the first line of defense?

This: Tamiflu

Pros: "In the vast majority of cases, Tamiflu reduces the severity of [H1N1] and shortens the duration of the disease," says Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association. And there are cases in which the medication literally saves lives, he adds. Tamiflu can prevent serious complications and the secondary infections, like bacterial pneumonia, that can become life threatening.

Cons: It's not as available as it used to be. "There certainly has been a higher demand for Tamiflu, so you may not be able to get it in the first place that you go," he says. Also, Tamiflu isn't very effective if you don't get it within the first 48 hours of developing flu symptoms, according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, overuse of Tamiflu and other antiviral medications can lead to the development of drug-resistant strains of the virus.

That: Fluids and Rest

Pros: This prescription is cheap, and it's sufficient for most people who will get sick. "Most doctors are recommending that for most of us, taking fluids and resting will be fine," Dr. Benjamin notes. Mild over-the-counter medicine and/or natural remedies can make you more comfortable while your body fights back the virus.

Cons: Prolonging the flu for even a day can be a miserable experience if your symptoms are severe. And there's always the chance that you could develop serious complications. "There are still people who are normal and healthy, and don't appear to have any health complications, that can get very, very sick from this," Dr. Benjamin says.