Best products for cold and flu season quick picks
Nasal spray: Beekeeper's Naturals Nasal Spray
First aid kit: Sniffles Cold and Flu First Aid
Hand sanitizer: Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray, 3-Pack
Humidifier: Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
One minute you’re knee-deep in the ocean during your dream summer vacation, and the next thing you know, you’re trying to fight cold and flu season by slurping your way through a concoction of liquids while lying under a weighted blanket shaking with chills.
While flu season generally begins in October and peaks between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs, symptoms and appropriate expert-approved treatments so you can always be prepared. Similarly, cold season ranges between August and April, when folks begin to gather more closely indoors, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Let’s look at how the common cold and flu differ, what you can do to try to stay healthy, manage your symptoms when you have them and which treatments are worth adding to cart so you can stay as comfortable and healthy as possible this cold and flu season.
Cold and flu symptoms
While we often conflate the two, a cold and the flu present quite differently. Dr. Mark Loafman, a family physician in Illinois, explains that common cold virus infections typically start with nasal congestion, which can feel stuffy with a burning sensation, that then progresses into a runny nose with sneezing. “A sore throat is common the first day or so, and a cough often develops after a few days as the congestion or mucus production starts to dry up,” he says. The cough might linger for up to two weeks, but he says most symptoms should clear up within three to five days.
In rare cases, Loafman says a secondary bacterial infection can occur, resulting from the cold virus itself. It affects the sinuses, lungs or middle ear and is impervious to antibiotics. Symptoms include fever, increasing rather than decreasing pain and worsening rather than improving mucus production.
To determine if you have the flu or a related flu-like viral illness, Loafman says to look out for many of the same signs of a common cold paired with body aches, fever and increased fatigue. “The flu can also cause serious, sometimes life-threatening viral pneumonia and can trigger complications with many other health conditions, especially those involving the heart and lungs,” he says.
Best products for cold and flu season
There’s not a whole lot you can do to help improve common cold symptoms besides waiting it out, but Loafman says nasal sprays, which are decongestants and anti-inflammatories, can provide some relief. This one contains bee propolis used to fight free radicals and moisturize the nasal canal.??
“It’s very important to note that nasal decongestant sprays should only be used for a few days, as longer use creates a rebound worsening of symptoms and a dependency on the spray to keep your nose from dripping constantly,” he adds.
For a literal breath of fresh air, opt for a nasal irrigation system. “Some find significant benefit from using nasal saline irrigation, especially before bedtime, and if used, it is important to follow the instructions to avoid causing a secondary infection,” Loafman says.?
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This one comes with everything you need to get started: a nasal irrigation bottle designed to line up perfectly with your nasal opening and 50 packets of pH-balanced saline solution ready to mix into distilled water.
Originally created to help athletes maximize their oxygen intake, this engineer-designed contoured nasal dilator works to widen the nasal passageways in the event of congestion so you can breathe easier, sleep easier and feel better fast. Bonus: It’ll also help with snoring.
Complete with everything you need to stay protected this cold and flu season, from a thermometer to herbal tea and tissues to cough drops, this comprehensive first aid kit is a wise investment for any household. Also included in the kit is a telehealth consultation with a licensed medical provider.
Loafman calls “hand hygiene” your number-one job in cold and flu season, so it's a good idea to keep some hand sanitizer nearby so you’ll feel compelled to use. We highly recommend Touchland hand sanitizers for their non-greasy, germ-fighting formula, aesthetic packaging and delectable scents that smell anything but clinical.
Dr. Nayan Patel, the founder of Auro Wellness and CEO of Central Drugs Compounding Pharmacy, says the combination of hydration and minerals is one of your best defenses against the seasonal cold. There’s no tastier way to stay healthy than with this variety pack of Gatorade electrolyte drink filled with your daily recommended dose of vitamin C, vitamin A and more. Delectable flavors like Tropical Mango and Watermelon Strawberry make it easy to hit your fluid target.
You’d be shocked to learn just how many nasty bugs live on your most-used surfaces from water bottles to phone cases and keyboards. Stay prepared with these popular disinfecting wipes that work to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
Clinical evidence is developing on just how effective tea can be in quelling a common cold or flu, but according to recent research in the journal Molecules, tea can play some role in enhancing your immunity against viral infections. Sip this invigorating caffeine-free blend of lemon, ginger and echinacea for comfort and immunity support.
Coughing up a storm? Struggling with a cracked and dry nose? Your bedroom or common living area might benefit from a humidifier, which can help break up mucus, making it easier to expel. Our all-time favorite cool mist humidifier for bedrooms provides quick and sustained respiratory relief with its 25-hour humidification system. Because it’s virtually silent and provides a soft soothing glow, it’s ideal for helping you drift off at night.
How do you beat cold and flu season?
The best way to beat cold and flu season isn’t necessarily in the form of items, but behaviors, according to Loafman. He suggests covering your cough with an arm and not your hands; maintaining a safe distance from those who are sick or from others if you are sick; getting enough sleep, nourishment and stress management, which all offer some immunity benefits; and getting a flu shot every year right before flu season starts around October. Think of Covid-19 prevention best practices and apply those to cold and flu season.
Patel adds that it’s crucial to maintain an eating pattern that’s low in simple sugars and refined carbohydrates, which can all contribute to inflammation.
