How to Prep for Cold and Flu Season Right Now, Before You Get Sick

Anyone who has an underlying health condition that boosts their risk of severe COVID should also make sure any rescue medications—such as inhalers for people with asthma—are up-to-date, Dr. Parikh says.

If you’re high-risk, it could also be worth having a conversation with your doctor about how to minimize your chances of getting really sick. Some providers who have a trusting relationship with their high-risk patients may offer a prescription for an influenza antiviral before flu season even starts, so they can quickly get it filled if and when they get sick with the virus, William Schaffner, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SELF.

3. Pick up other sick-day essentials.

If you’re sick, the last thing you’ll want to do (or should do) is trek to the store to buy other good-to-have items—you’ll need to prioritize rest and avoid other people as much as you can so you don’t spread germs. With that in mind, consider picking up extra toilet paper and tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap, surface cleaners, and an extra box of face masks while you’re at the store this week. A humidifier and an air purifier are also great to have if you can afford to invest in them.

Three other things that you may not think of but should definitely have include a thermometer, a pulse oximeter, and at-home COVID tests. This is especially helpful if you prefer telehealth appointments instead of in-person visits: There’s a difference between telling your doctor you “feel feverish” and telling them your temperature is 103 degrees Fahrenheit, and the more data you can give them, the better your chances are of getting an accurate diagnosis—and treatment—fast, Dr. Schaffner says.

If you purchased or ordered COVID tests in the past year or so, you should also double-check that they haven’t expired—or aren’t set to expire during the coming months—before marking that item off your list.

4. Give your kitchen pantry the same treatment.

If you already know you’re going to crave chicken noodle soup the second you’re too exhausted to cook, grab enough to get you—and your family members—through the next couple of months while you’re at the store. While you’re at it, pick up other hydrating foods or drinks you always crave when you’re sick, since you shouldn’t go out in public once you’re experiencing symptoms.

Remember: Cooking nutritious meals is a lot of work (even on a good day!), so you’re probably not going to be up for all that. But eating enough food and staying hydrated are key to feeling better ASAP. When shopping, try to think of foods with a long shelf life that also nourish you—like peanut butter, canned or frozen veggies, and your go-to protein bars. For more emergency-food-supply inspo, check out this guide.

5. Make a plan with the people you live with.

As you likely know by now, given that we’re nearly three years into the pandemic, there’s a lot of strategy involved in keeping people safe when one person in a home gets COVID-19 (or any other bug that’s contagious). You should decide on an isolation plan now, rather than waiting until someone tests positive, experts say. “It is always good to have a plan in place for quarantine to reduce the spread of infection,” Dr. Parikh says. This could mean deciding where a sick person will sleep, which bathroom they’ll use, and where everyone else in the house will stay.