Medications to Have Ready for Cold and Flu Season

Colds and the flu share some common symptoms. These include:

• a runny nose
• sore throat
• cough
• headache
• body aches

While there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, certain medications can help ease their symptoms and shorten your recovery time. These include:

• Pain relievers and fever reducers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are helpful for fever, headache, and body aches. But be careful with dosing, especially in children. If you have liver disease, kidney disease, or ulcers, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medications. Also check with them if you take blood thinners.
• Decongestants: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine (found in many cold medications) relieve nasal stuffiness. But these may raise blood pressure or interact with heart medications. An interaction between certain drugs can affect how well the drugs work or cause harmful effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using these medications if you have:
  • high blood pressure
  • heart problems
  • thyroid disease
• Cough medications: Dextromethorphan helps calm a nagging cough. Guaifenesin (Mucinex) works by thinning mucus and making coughs more productive. It’s best to avoid combination products unless you need all the listed ingredients. Taking more than necessary can increase your risk of side effects.
• Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin) can help ease symptoms of a runny nose and sneezing. Some antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, may cause drowsiness, so it’s best to reserve them for nighttime use.
• Throat lozenges and sprays: Over-the-counter (OTC) lozenges with menthol or sprays with numbing agents can help soothe sore throats and ease coughing.

Other items to keep handy for colds and flu

Medications aren’t the only items that can make a difference when you’re feeling poorly. Stock up on these ahead of time so you’ll have the essentials ready for yourself and your family:

• Thermometer: A reliable thermometer helps you track your fever, which can help you know whether you should call your doctor.
• Humidifier: Moist air soothes dry throats and helps clear congestion. Consider running a humidifier when you’re home to feel its effects, especially when you’re sleeping. Be sure to clean it regularly to prevent mold buildup.
• Tissues: Stock up on plenty of tissues before cold and flu season begins. Lotion-infused varieties can help prevent irritation and soreness around the nose due to frequent blowing.
• Hand sanitizer: To reduce the spread of germs, use hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable. Be sure to stock a hand sanitizerTrusted Source that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Electrolyte solutions: Drinks such as Pedialyte or electrolyte powders for mixing into water can help keep you hydrated. This is especially important when a fever or cold and flu symptoms lower your appetite.
• Soup and easy-to-prepare foods: When you’re not feeling well, your appetite may be low or you might not have the energy to cook. Keeping soup and simple meals on hand helps provide nourishment and comfort. A recent study suggests chicken soup may help you feel better faster.

Preventing colds and flu

While no method of prevention guarantees you’ll avoid illness, several steps can help lower your risk.

Hygiene

Sensible everyday habits play a huge role in stopping the spread of viruses that cause colds and the flu. Practicing good hygieneTrusted Source is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect yourself and others from illness.

• Wash your hands often: Use soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Handwashing is especially important before eating, after coughing or sneezing, and after being in public places. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizerTrusted Source that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes: When coughing or sneezing, always use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose. This helps reduce the risk of spreading germs to other people. If a tissue isn’t handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than into your hands.
• Avoid close contact: Try to keep your distance from people who are visibly sick. If you’re sick yourself, stay home when possible.
• Disinfect surfaces: Cold and flu viruses can live on surfaces for hours. Wipe down items that are touched frequently, especially if someone in your household is sick. You might wipe down these items:
  • doorknobs
  • light switches
  • phones
  • keyboards
  • TV remotes
  • countertops
  • handles on cupboards, ovens, and the refrigerator
• Don’t share utensils, cups, or drinking glasses: Sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils makes it easy for germs to travel from one person to another. Avoid sharing these items with someone who’s sick, whether it’s you or someone else in your household.

Vitamins and supplements

The immune system helps protect the body from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Some vitamins and supplements may help your immune system function at its best, such as:

• Vitamin C: ResearchTrusted Source suggests that taking vitamin C regularly may slightly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. You can find it in OTC tablets, capsules, or powders. You can also find it naturally in some foods, such as:
  • oranges
  • strawberries
  • kiwi
  • bell peppers
  • broccoli
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps regulate immune system activity and may reduce your risk of respiratory infection. A main source of vitamin D is the sun. But vitamin D levels in the body often dip due to reduced sun exposure, particularly in the winter months. You can get vitamin D in other ways, including:
  • fortified foods, such as milk and cereals
  • fatty fish, such as salmon
  • supplements from most pharmacies
• Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that supports many aspects of immune function. Studies suggest it may help shorten the length of a cold when taken within 24 to 48 hours after symptoms begin. It’s usually available in lozenge, gummy, and capsule forms. While zinc can be beneficial, taking more than the recommended amount may cause side effects such as:
  • nausea
  • metallic taste in the mouth
  • stomach pain
• Elderberry: Some researchTrusted Source suggests that elderberry may help ease cold and flu symptoms and aid in faster recovery. It’s commonly sold as syrups, gummies, and teas at pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores. While it’s generally safe for most people, it can occasionally cause digestive issues such as stomach upset.

Flu vaccine

Getting your annual flu shot is the most reliable way to protect yourself and those around you from influenza. Because flu strains change from season to season, the vaccine is updated yearly to target the strains most likely to be circulating. Getting vaccinated not only lowersTrusted Source your risk of getting sick, but also reduces the severity if you do get the flu.

Be sure to check with your doctor before receiving the vaccine. Some flu vaccines may interact with medications and health conditions.

Cold and flu season doesn’t have to catch you off guard. You can help prepare for it by maintaining a well-stocked medicine cabinet. Supplementary items are also helpful to get you through the season, including a thermometer, humidifier, and hand sanitizer. To help prevent colds and flu, you might apply certain preventive strategies. These include practicing good hygiene, taking supplements, and getting a flu vaccine. Some health conditions and prescription drugs interact with certain OTC medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting new medications, taking new supplements, or getting the flu vaccine.