Cold and Flu Season is Upon us! Time to stock up on Winter Essentials

Oct 20, 2022 Cold and Flu

It’s that time again. Cold and flu season is upon us which means it’s time to check your cupboard and stock up on your winter health must-have products. 

Just a quick word about expiry dates. The majority of products have an expiry date, even shower gels and cosmetics. With medications and healthcare items especially, it is important to keep an eye on these dates as after they expire they aren’t always as effective. Similarly, having something in the back of the medicine cupboard, even it is still (just!) in date, doesn’t mean that it the right remedy for this year. Make sure you check all cold and flu products against what you know about your health and the health of your family right now. 

 

Is it Cold or is it Covid?

 

The burning question this year, for many, will be whether their symptoms are linked to Covid or whether it’s the common cold rearing its ugly head again. It can be difficult when Covid and colds have some similar symptoms. What makes it a little harder to work it out is that the symptoms of Covid vary from person to person, and on the variant doing the rounds at any time. Keep an eye on the NHS website for current information and if you are concerned SimplyMedOnline do stock single and multi-test packs of FlowFlex Covid tests.

 

What About Flu

 

Influenza can be pretty nasty, particularly if you have underlying health conditions. Your best and first line of defence is to make an appointment for your flu jab if invited (if eligible for the free NHS jab). Those not eligible for the free jab can still book a private immunisation at pharmacies and similar locations. Check to see what’s available in your local area.

 

Cold and Flu Winter Essentials

 

Catch it, Bin it and Kill it - Stock up on Tissues and Soap

 

As the slogan goes, “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it!”. Blow your nose, bin the tissue and wash your hands. Tissues are a must during cold and flu season and while toilet roll can do the job, some people choose to invest on softer options. It’s not unusual to get a sore nose from repeated blowing and wiping so softer tissues, perhaps with balm included, might be useful to have around the house. 

Similarly, having smaller packets in your coat pocket, work bag and similar for when on the go is important.

 

Banish Germs This Winter

 

If the last few years have taught us anything it is that germs can be sneaky and relentless. Keeping on top of your disinfection, particularly when there are seasonal menances such as colds, coughs and flu around, is a good idea. Clinell Wipes have been formulated to be highly effective against the coronavirus that causes Covid (SARS-CoV-2). In addition to this, they also clean while they disinfect which many other disinfectants don’t offer. Dermatologically tested, Clinell wipes are skin-friendly and gentle on surfaces (just not germs and dirt).

 

 

Sleep When You Have a Cold Can be Tricky

 

One of the worst things for some people during the snottier months is not getting a decent amount of sleep. When full of cold, it can be hard to settle and enjoy a decent quality of sleep. Using an extra pillow to prop yourself up can be useful when congested or a shower or bath before lights out is a popular choice too. Some people, however, swear by running a vapour plug in their room. Ideal for children but also adults, the Calpol Vapour Plug, for example, features a handy nightlight and releases soothing lavender and chamomile vapours into the room. 

 

If you or others in your family struggle with sleep when they have a cold, this could be just the thing for them. 

 

You’ve Got That Stuffed-Up Feeling

 

When you have a terrible cold or flu the mucus and catarrh can seem relentless and is something that contributes to the overall poorly feeling you experience. The MediSure Steam Inhaler is a simple, safe and effective way to break up or loosen mucus, relieve the stuffed-up nose and altogether improve your condition and your mood.  Does anyone else get grumpy when they have a blocked nose? Make sure that you read and follow the instructions carefully when using this product. For example, water should be hot but not boiling.

 

If this sounds like something that could appeal to you it may also be worth checking out the NeilMed Sinugator Pulsating Nasal Wash.

 

Cold and Flu Season for Children

 

It seems to many that once the children go back to school that we are on a countdown to runny noses, coughs and other fun seasonal illnesses. Cold symptoms are a pain for anyone but for little ones can be particularly hard to deal with, particularly from a sensory point of view. For this reason, it’s worth having some age-appropriate cold and flu remedies to hand.

 

Cough syrup or linctus that has been specifically formulated for children and is sugar-free such as this simple linctus can help with a troublesome cough. While Vicks VapourRub has been a fantastic product for older children and adults, the Vicks Babyrub, a more gentle yet still effective cold remedy, could be better suited to younger children.

 

Very young associates of the SimplyMedsOnline team tell us that ice lollies and hot chocolates (with marshmallows), alongside hugs and movies, are the best medicines. This is not something that we can confirm from a medical point of view.

 

Coughs and Sore Throats - Handy Remedies

Coughing is a common symptom of having a cold and other seasonal illnesses. Unpleasant by itself, persistent coughing can also cause a sore throat. While hot lemon and honey tea can be soothing, cough syrup and throat pastilles are great for making it easier to plough through this period of poorliness. 

 

Thankfully the range of cough remedies includes products for different types of coughs, such as a mucus cough, a chesty cough or an irritating dry and tickly cough. Cough medicine is available for children and adults but as with all medicines, it is important to check products for suitability and the correct dosage information. 

 

For sore throats, warm drinks can help, as can throat sweets. Strepsils are very popular and have a number of options when it comes to flavours and strengths. Here in the SMO office we find the Jakeman Throat & Chest Soothing Menthol Sweets to be great-tasting and very effective. For anyone really struggling with a sore throat, any of the Ultra Chloraseptic Throat Sprays in our Cold & Flu range can offer targeted and effective relief.

 

Pain and Fever Must-Haves

 

Flu especially can come with a list of nasty symptoms, including fevers and pain. It is advised to have a home thermometer handy for around-the-year monitoring but also to keep an eye on fevers. We stock a range of painkillers for all ages, useful for this time of year, for combatting fever, headaches, aches and pains. We also stock rehydration products such as the O.R.S Hydration tablets. When poorly, particularly if you have flu and fevers, struggling with hydration is not unheard of.

 

Echinacea for Cold and Flu Symptoms

 

Traditionally, Echinacea has been hailed as an effective herbal remedy. Available as easy-to-take tablets or drops, some people still swear by the effectiveness of Echinacea for influenza and common cold-related symptoms.  Echinacea might be worth considering if you are looking for a more natural option.

 

In Conclusion

 

Never pleasant, cold and flu hits us all differently, which is why having a range of symptom-busting products in your arsenal can help you get through it. From stuffed-up noses to struggles around sleeping, here at SimplyMedOnline, we have several cold and flu relief products available. Just don’t forget the tissues!

 

Please remember that some cold and flu-related products contain painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, as well as other ingredients you need to monitor. Check age recommendations and read leaflets before starting any new remedies. If in any doubt about the suitability or safety of a medicine, please check with your pharmacist or GP.