Be prepared for cold and flu season – 10 Things You Need to Have

It’s that time of year again…and I don’t mean Christmas.  I mean it’s time for cold and flu season.  Everybody knows that so many of us are carrying around nasty germs – infections viruses – hearty bacteria, yet it always seems to take us by surprise when our household comes down with one of these vile illnesses.

 

Be prepared for cold and flu season – 10 Things You Need to Have

Three years ago, the week of Christmas my then 5-year-old came down with the worst flu I think I’ve ever seen in my life.  High fever, cough, body ache, belly ache.  What’s worse is that single virus made it through every one of us.  Two days after my 5-year-old woke up sick, I woke up feeling that I could barely get out of bed.  Nausea and body aches, chills – I knew at once we would all be staying home through the holidays.  What made it even harder was when my husband was also sick – none of us could leave the house to even grocery shop.  I remember Christmas Eve coming around and all of us home sick on the couch.

 

Last winter a similar thing happened.  At 36 weeks pregnant, my daughter woke me up in the middle of the night because she had a belly ache.  Norovirus swiftly made its way through our house.  Somehow, I was spared this time.  Changing sheets, towels, bath mats, cleaning toilets, tubs, sinks, sanitizing every surface of our home became my job for almost 3 weeks straight.  That ordeal taught me a thing or two.   I learned that during the cold and flu season we must be prepared.

What to keep on hand during cold and flu season:

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Stock up

Oral Rehydration Solution

There are various types but Pedialyte for kids and Gatorade for adults. There is a way to make your own, but I think it is easier to just keep some of this on hand – especially for the little kids.

 

Vitamins

We like to take Emergen-C when exposed to sickness or when first coming down with a cold or another virus. Emergen-C has large quantities of vitamins so please check with your doctor before taking.

 

Soft Drinks

Non-caffeine drinks like Sprite or Ginger Ale are perfect during and right after coming down with Noro or any other stomach bug.

 

Crackers

Saltines are a favorite for the same reason as above.  These settle the stomach after a stomach bug hits.

 

Chicken Broth

I prefer homemade, but like to keep a few cans on hand to make some chicken noodle soup.

 

Thermometer

Invest in a good thermometer like this one. We keep this in our first aid kit, but a good thermometer is a must during cold/flu season.  I prefer a forehead thermometer, but an ear or old fashioned one works, too.

 

Fever-Reducing Medicine

We keep infant, children’s chewable and adult on hand. You don’t want to be searching for this if someone wakes up with a high fever in the middle of the night!

 

Popsicles

These look yummy and popsicles are so nice to have for sore throats and belly aches.

 

Bleach

This is a must for cleaning Noro.  Nothing comes close to killing that virus, other than bleach.  I don’t typically keep this on hand, but learned my lesson last year.

 

Face mask and cleaning gloves

You will need these for cleaning up messes, giving out medicine, to protect you and other family members.  I like these vinyl gloves.  We also tried these face mask last year.

 

What do you keep in your medicine cabinet for cold and flu season?

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