Flu relief essentials: What to keep on hand
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Build a comfort kit before your household needs it.
The best time to gather sick-day supplies is before you get sick. No one enjoys fumbling through medicine cabinets or finding out your cough syrup has expired after you’ve come down with a cold or the flu.
When respiratory illnesses hit, having the right supplies on hand can help you feel better faster.
Items to gather for cold and flu season
Before cold and flu season starts, try to stock up on these essentials:
- Tissues – Soft ones help prevent irritation.
- Thermometer – For monitoring fever.
- Water and electrolyte drinks – Stay hydrated with water, coconut water or electrolyte drinks -- whether pre-made or homemade.
- Clear broth soup – Easy to digest and soothing.
- Honey and lemon – Natural cough soothers; mix into warm water or tea.
- Ginger or chamomile tea – Calms nausea and supports rest.
- Cough drops or throat lozenges – Help ease sore throats.
- Over-the-counter medications:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen – For fever and aches.
- Cough suppressant or expectorant – To help with coughing and mucous.
- Menthol rub or essential oils (eucalyptus, peppermint) – For congestion relief.
- Nasal sprays – To moisturize and clear your nose.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes – To limit the spread of germs.
- Lip balm and humidifier – For comfort and moisture.
Add-ons in a comfort kit for little ones
If you have children in your household, you may also want the following:
- Nasal aspirator – Bulb syringe to clear their nose.
- Infant or child acetaminophen or ibuprofen – To reduce fever and discomfort.
- Medicine dispenser – Nipple-style or syringe.
- Electrolyte or juice pops – To prevent dehydration during fever or illness.
Hydrating foods that don’t expire
Dehydration is one of the main reasons people end up in the emergency room when they're sick. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold – any liquid will help combat dehydration.
Frozen fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, pineapples and mango can provide liquid and healing vitamin C when you’re sick. For those moments when you need to stay hydrated but feel too ill to cook, you can pop them into a healthy recipe like this: mixed berry smoothie
It’s smart to keep a few cans of kidney or pinto beans and tomato paste in the pantry too. These can provide protein and warmth in a comforting chili recipe such as this: vegetarian chili.
Items like these are affordable, shelf-stable and long-lasting too.
When to use your cold and flu care kit
Once you've put together these items, the care kit can be your go-to resource when you or someone in your family isn't feeling well. Restock it after each illness so you're always prepared.
If you aren’t getting better with home care, you can book an appointment with your PeaceHealth doctor or care team or request a video visit.
During the peak of cold and flu season, from December through February, PeaceHealth’s video visit service saves you time and gas money. Your care team can see and evaluate you via video chat from your home. Here’s what you need for a video visit:
- Internet or wi-fi connection
- A My PeaceHealth account
- Computer, Tablet (iOS or Android), or Smartphone (iPhone or Android)
If you don’t have a PCP or can’t be seen at your regular clinic as quickly as you need, PeaceHealth Priority Care or urgent care clinics are also immediate care options for getting on the road to recovery. They offer video visit appointments too.
