Colds and flus are among the most common reasons that people miss work and school. Adults get two to three colds on average each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children get even more. In addition, each year, between 3% and 11% of people in the U.S. develop the flu.
However, these common viruses don’t need to sideline you from life. These checklists, compiled based on information from the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Medical Association, can help you get through cold and flu season.
Vaccination checklist
Getting recommended vaccines is one of the best ways to prevent the flu and other respiratory viruses. They can also help lessen the severity of symptoms and keep you out of the hospital. Vaccines to prevent respiratory viruses during cold and flu season include:
- COVID-19 vaccine or booster to protect against the most recent variants. The CDC recommends everyone six months of age and older get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
- Flu vaccine. Everyone six months of age and older should get an annual influenza vaccine, ideally in September or October.
- RSV vaccine. The CDC recommends this vaccine for adults ages 60 and older. All infants eight months of age and younger should receive one dose. The adult vaccine protects for at least two years, so you don’t need to get one every year.
Additional prevention checklist
In addition to getting the recommended vaccines, other prevention strategies include various ways of avoiding contagious illnesses such as colds and the flu. To guard against catching or spreading the cold and flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick with any type of upper respiratory infection.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Disinfect high-touch areas, such as doorknobs
- Wash your hands with soap and water, especially before you eat or after using the bathroom.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Use your elbow to cover these instead of your hands.
Medicine cabinet checklist
If you get a cold or the flu, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. In addition, these things can also help you feel better, so stock up and have them handy:
- Acetaminophen or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti- inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium) to reduce pain and fever. Children younger than six months should only be given acetaminophen.
- A digital thermometer to check your temperature. You have a fever if the reading is 100.4°F or higher.
- Cough drops or throat lozenges to ease sore throat and cough. Don’t give these to children younger than age four to prevent choking.
- Saline nasal spray or drops for congestion, and a rubber suction bulb for infants and toddlers.
- Vapor rubs to ease congestion in adults and children older than age two.
- A humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to ease nasal and chest congestion.
- Oral zinc in lozenges, tablets, or syrup.
When to see a doctor checklist
If you test positive for the flu or COVID-19, call your doctor right away. They can prescribe antiviral drugs to ease your symptoms, but they work best if started in the first two days. You should also see a doctor if you have any of the following:
- Dehydration
- Fast or troubled breathing
- A fever that lasts longer than four days
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better
- Symptoms that get better but then return or get worse
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions
