Feeling achy? Rundown? Itchy throat? The last thing you’ll feel like doing is running to the store for the items you need to combat a cold or the flu. Worse: by being out in public you could be spreading germs and making other people sick. The flu season can endure for four to five months, and you can catch a cold at any time of the year. It’s smart to be prepared by stocking your own cold and flu survival kit.
Pharmacist and author Sherry Torkos recommends this checklist for a well-stocked cold and flu kit. Hint: store the smaller items in one clear plastic container. That way, you won’t have to search through cabinets and cupboards for relief when you’d rather just crawl into bed.
Thermometer
Many people forget to check their thermometer to see if it still works, which can be an issue with digital ones. Checking your temperature is important, especially for children, because if it becomes dangerously high it can lead to seizures.
Water
Aim for 13 cups of water each day (nine cups for women) to help you stay hydrated. It also helps the body eliminate toxins (dry mucus membranes can make it easier for viruses to enter).
Nasal rinse
Saline rinses are increasingly recommended as a safe and natural way to help your body’s natural mechanism for clearing sinus pressure and nasal congestion from cold and flu. In place of regular salt water, try a nasal wash with an extra boost such as Alkalol Nasal Wash, which contains a blend of natural extracts and essential oils to help dissolve mucus, relieve nasal congestion and alleviate nasal dryness. But be sure to use boiled or sterilized water.
Nasal lubricant
Helps to soothe raw, irritated skin around your nostrils. Look for a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly.
Chicken soup
This acts as an anti-inflammatory and temporarily increases the movement of mucus through the nose.
Throat drops
Necessary for minor throat irritations. Choose a blend of natural ingredients, such as those found in Pine Brothers Softish Throat Drops, that includes combining the soothing natural qualities of glycerin with the healing properties of gum acacia.
Acetaminophen
Useful to help bring down fevers and manage minor aches. Acetaminophen is often an ingredient in cold and flu medications. Be very cautious not to exceed the recommended total daily amounts, or combine with alcohol, as that can lead to severe liver damage.
Humidifier
A humidifier will release water droplets into the air, which brings relief to stuffy noses and promote much-needed undisturbed rest.
While there’s never a good time to get sick, you can be prepared to take action the minute you start to feel the symptoms coming on.
Sherry Torkos is a pharmacist, author, and certified fitness instructor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1992 and practices holistic pharmacy in the Niagara region of Ontario. As a leading health expert, she has delivered hundreds of lectures to medical professionals and the public. She is frequently interviewed on radio and TV talk shows throughout North America and abroad. Sherry has authored 14 books, including Saving Women’s Hearts, The Canadian Encyclopedia for Natural Medicine, The Glycemic Index Made Simple, Winning at Weight Loss and Breaking the Age Barrier.
