What to stock in your medicine cabinet for cold and flu season : NPR

Never miss a story or episode from Life Kit. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our journalism delivered directly to your inbox.

Is your household ready if you get hit with a stomach bug tomorrow? Sniffles on Saturday? The flu in a month or two?

In the United States, cold and flu season occurs in the fall and winter, starting in October and stretching all the way through May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The combination of dropping temperatures and drier climates makes us more susceptible to common respiratory viruses like the common cold, the flu, RSV or COVID-19, and “back-to-back illnesses,” says pediatrician Mona Amin.

Get ready now by creating a cold and flu prep kit. “Have things readily available so that you’re not scrambling or depending on someone else to run to the drugstore for you when you become sick,” says pharmacist Alisha Reed. That includes fever and pain relievers, hydration supplements and monitoring tools to help manage symptoms.

Many viruses and fevers can be managed at home, says Amin. And the common cold and the flu are viral infections, so they can’t be treated by prescription antibiotics anyway.  

Below, you’ll find a list of items for the whole family, recommended by Amin and Reed. Put the products in one designated place, like a shelf in your medicine cabinet or a handy “sick day” box.

You’ll also want to take preventative measures like disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, getting vaccinated and washing your hands. But remember, says Reed, no prevention strategy is foolproof.

What to include in your cold and flu prep kit

Over-the-counter medications

When you’re dealing with cough, congestion, sore throat, fever, fatigue or other common cold and flu symptoms, you may be tempted to reach for a medication that hits multiple symptoms.

But those meds often include extra unnecessary ingredients that can sometimes put you at risk of accidentally overmedicating yourself, says Reed. Instead, opt for medications that target individual symptoms.

These items all come with a price tag, of course. So if you don’t have something like a flexible spending account to help cover costs, consider purchasing your personal sick day must-haves to start, then building from there as you’re able.