5 Things to Stock Up on For Cold and Flu Season
| 3 min read
Some days it can seem like cold and flu symptoms appear out of nowhere. One minute, you are feeling fine and the next, you’ve got a scratchy feeling in your throat or chills and a fever that seem to hit with a one-two punch. When this happens, a bad day can feel worse if you’re not prepared for these symptoms. We’ll show you five things to stock up on for cold and flu season.
Flu season typically starts as early as October, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can peak between the holidays and February, and last until May.
Between 8,000,000 and 13,000,000 cases of the flu were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between Oct. 1, 2021 and June 11, 2022. During that same period, an estimated 82,000 to 170,000 people were hospitalized with the flu, per the CDC.
Cold and Flu Essentials
Soft tissues. Sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes are all hallmarks of cold and flu season. Keep extra tissues on hand, so you don’t have to end up using rougher paper towels or napkins that could irritate the sensitive skin of your face. Boxes of tissues are convenient for the home and small tissue packs are easy to carry in purses, backpacks, in your vehicle and jacket pockets.
Chicken soup. This one is not an old wives’ tale. Whether you make your own chicken stock and simmer your own vegetables or buy your favorite brand of canned soup, keep some in the cupboard or freezer for when you get sick. Eating warm chicken soup may help lessen cold symptoms and ease nasal congestion, according to dieticians from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Warm drinks. Just like spoonfuls of soup, warm drinks can help people feel better if they’re battling a cold or flu. Sipping warm liquids can soothe an irritated throat, help ease congestion, and just make you feel cozy and more comfortable.
Warm mist humidifier. Warm steam emitted from a humidifier can help soothe airways and make breathing easier when you are congested. When you need it, pour in fresh water and turn it on. If you have small children at home who might get too close to the warm mist and hot-water reservoir, consider switching to a cool-mist humidifier, which offers the same hydrating benefits.
Over-the-counter medication. Sometimes you need a little help to quell cold and flu symptoms. If over-the-counter medications don’t work for you, check with your healthcare provider. Here are the most common types of cold and flu medication available over the counter to keep on hand:
- Pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin for headaches and body aches
- Expectorants that help thin mucus, like Robitussin or Mucinex
- Cough suppressants
- Cough drops
- Antihistamines, which can help with sneezing and coughing
- Nasal decongestants
Related:
Photo credit: Getty Images
