Did you get your flu shot yet? I haven't--because I've been battling a cold and ear infection for the past couple of weeks, and I figure it's better to have a fully-functioning immune system when I get a shot. Mr. College Student had a flu shot last month and wound up with a fever for 24 hours!
Beyond the flu shot, though, there are several things you can do to prepare for the long cold-and-flu season ahead. Take the time now, while you and your family are healthy, and make sure that you're well-stocked on sickroom supplies. If anyone needs them, you won't have to make an emergency run to the store.
First, check to make sure that you don't have expired medications in your medicine cabinet. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs don't last forever, so dispose of expired medicines properly and start your shopping list with anything you'll need to re-stock.
Make sure you have plenty of:
- antacids
- cough-and-cold medicine
- non-aspirin pain reliever/fever reducer
- antidiarrhea medicine
- cough drops
- saline nose drops
- tissues and toilet paper (you definitely don't want to run out of these when you're sick!)
- sports drinks or Pedialyte for rehydration
- Vitamin C supplements
- fever thermometer
Here's hoping you won't need any of this--have a healthy winter!
COUPON TIME
Visit our Health Coupons page for the best deals on all the over-the-counter medications (and tissues) you'll need to get through this winter.
