Get Ready for a Miserable Cold and Flu Season
I never get sick. I have a killer immune system. Usually, the common cold and the annual flu pass me by but this last year I wasn’t so fortunate. With no flu survival plan in place, The flu hit me hard and I was knocked off my feet for more than 2 weeks. At one point, my fever was high enough that I was delirious, giving my husband crazy instructions for plugging in a heating pad, as my whole body was wracked with violent shivering.
What was funny is that I knew what I was saying made no sense, I knew I was delirious, and I still kept talking crazy talk. Thank God my husband has a good sense of humor!
Symptoms of the flu
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I knew I had a case of the flu when my symptoms became very extreme, very quickly, although for some people, symptoms of the cold can be confused with those of the flu.
It’s easy to confuse symptoms of the common cold with the flu, but in general, flu symptoms are simply worse. The flu comes with a fever, severe body aches, a deep cough, violent chills, severe fatigue — truly miserable symptoms. A cold isn’t a whole lot of fun, either, but those symptoms will be milder — runny nose, sore throat, plenty of sneezing, body aches, and mild fatigue. Once symptoms cross the line from feeling “under the weather”, to “just kill me now”, you probably have the flu.
Putting together a Flu Survival Plan
Before you’re faced with a sick family and have no choice but to make a mad dash to the drugstore, you’ll want to stock up on a few items to make the best of sick days. At the top of my shopping list is Puffs with Vicks (I love getting a nice, deep breath of eucalyptus from the Vicks), DayQuil, and NyQuil. I also keep lozenges on hand, Vitamin C (chewable for kids), a heating pad, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
NOTE: Starting 10/29, Walmart shoppers can save up to $5 on medicine cabinet essentials just in time for cold and flu season. On this date, look in the P&G brandSAVER in your local Sunday newspaper or at PGeveryday.com to find coupons for $0.50 off Puffs and $1-$3 off Vicks products including DayQuil, NyQuil, Sinex and VapoRub. This arsenal of cold and flu symptom relievers will help your family feel better this season.
I’ve also found that sippy cups (yes, even for older kids and adults) are helpful for always having liquids at hand while avoiding all-too-frequent spills. A case of Gatorade or Pedialyte will provide liquids, along with electrolytes potassium, magnesium, and sodium. You can also make a batch of homemade rehydrating liquid using the recipe in this article.
The post Get Ready for a Miserable Cold and Flu Season appeared first on LewRockwell.
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