Cold and Flu Season Essentials

You might have been so busy defending your loved ones and yourself against the COVID 19 pandemic, that you may have forgotten the old enemies of traditional flu and colds. It’s important to recognize that these are different from COVID and so is the treatment. The purpose of this article is not to dispense medical advice. However, it is to remind you of what is always good to have on hand this cold and flu season, if you don’t already have them. Should you have even the slightest concern about your family’s health, please consult your doctor or visit our walk-in clinic.

Cold and Flu Season Essentials

Thermometer

The hand on the forehead is a spontaneous way of checking for a high temperature. However, a reusable thermometer, placed in the ear, will be more accurate. A high temperature is a symptom of the flu although not always a definite indication. A thermometer can be used to monitor a temperature at frequent intervals and will help you determine how to proceed. A high body temperature is designated as above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.5 degrees Celsius. Babies need to be watched very carefully as their temperatures can spike quickly.

Pain relievers

Over-the-counter pain relievers are good for quick, temporary relief from body aches and pains, sore throats, headaches, and relieving temperatures. They afford the patient a brief break and give the body an opportunity to rest before continuing the fight. Ibuprofen like Motrin and Advil, as well as acetaminophens like Tylenol all help to reduce and ease pain and to lower temperature. Read the directions to check for dosage and side effects.

Hand sanitizer

COVID has made us all aware of the need for and benefits of hand sanitizer. Look out for a sanitizer with a 60 percent alcohol content level for increased germ-fighting efficacy. Nevertheless, remember that washing hands with soap and water is the most effective way to sanitize. Sanitizers offer ease and convenience for the bedridden as well as school goers.

Decongestants

Blocked and stuffy noses are very frustrating flu side effects. They make breathing more difficult too. Decongestants reduce swelling and relieve the feeling of being blocked up by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal lining. This helps to reduce the blood flow to the affected area.

Nasal sprays are faster working than decongestants in pill form. Nasal washes and Netipots will also bring relief. Decongestants should only be used for up to three days. The best decongestants to have on hand are Sudafed and Mucinex, as these will bring comfort and ease at bedtime.

Tissues

Tissues are an effective way of preventing germs from spreading. They aren’t just for sneezes. You should use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing. It is best if you only use a tissue once, so stock up.

Cough drops

Our bodies induce coughing to try to dispel irritants. Serious coughing can be a form of violence against the body resulting in upper body pain and headaches. Cough drops are good for quietening coughs and soothing sore throats. Depending on your mood and preference, which are often fickle while unwell, you can choose between menthol or honey drops. We do not recommend cough drops for children under the age of six though as they may cause children to choke.

Disinfectant spray

What hand sanitizer is to the hand, a disinfectant is to surfaces. Both are breeding grounds for transferable germs. The CDC has reported that the flu virus can live for up to eight hours on a surface. Therefore, disinfecting surfaces routinely during cold and flu season can be effective. Use a spray like Lysol or Clorox and wipe with a disposable cloth or kitchen paper towel.

Soup

Soup is psychologically nurturing and is good for the body. Non-acidic broth-based soups such as chicken soup can be the most beneficial. It helps to arrest the movement of neutrophils, which is a type of white blood cell that initiates inflammation. This can help reduce nasal congestion and soothe sore throats, in addition to providing much-needed nourishment.

Helpful reading: About Flu – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.