Every news report I have heard talking about this has reported that although the cold and flu season started late.........it is more severe than normal.
Now, they can be expensive, but there ARE a few viral antibiotics on the market....so if your doctor says there are NONE....He is not informed.
A sinus infection, bronchitis, ear infection are all bacterial infections and antibiotics can help. The cold and flue are viral infections and they pretty much have to run it's course as even the few available viral antibiotics are not that effective.