I think for the majority of people who come down with it, it will be what medical professionals call "self-limiting". Something that will run its course, even without any kind of serious treatment. That's basically why homeopathy isn't illegal, because generally nobody dies from the conditions that it's meant to treat, so who cares if it's the equivalent of a sugar pill?
But in this case they're trying to slow down the spread. This seems to be extremely contagious - possibly on par with measles, although most people are immunized again measles. And of course when it becomes difficult to breathe, that's when it gets to the point where one's life is at risk.