Smack in the middle of what seems to be the worst cold and flu season – well, EVER – I know some of y’all may be thinking, No Sick Days? Don’t even go there Lena.
I get it. Everyone I know is sick, has been sick, or is getting over being sick. And just in case you’re wondering, heck yes I was sick, too. (It took a full 10 days to recover!) In Canada, seasonal flu activity begins as early as September and continues until late May, affecting a large percentage of the population.
My entire family got the flu shot almost as soon as it was available. I’ve practiced obsessive hand- washing and other virus-evasion techniques, including, but not limited to, holding my breath until I almost turned blue to navigate a checkout lane filled with hideous hackers. I’ve sanitized surfaces, avoided crowded malls and declined invitations to all non-essential events.
And then I took a 9-day vacation with my family. Two airplane rides, three hotels, one cruise ship.
65,000 people at the happiest place on earth.
Oh yeah, I was due to wave that white flag.
So here’s the scoop. I was down, but never out. I managed my cold to the best of my abilities, using a few tried and true methods. Need relief from your cold and flu symptoms? Here’s what you can do.
1. See a doctor. The sooner the better. There is a very real concern about hospital bed shortages (especially in Ontario) due to this aggressive flu season – so the last thing you want to do is end up in emerg. A doctor can confirm if you have a viral or bacterial infection, as there are different treatment options for each. If it’s a viral infection like the common cold or flu, read on! If it’s a bacterial infection, fill that prescription for antibiotics and take rest.
2. Manage your daytime symptoms. If you’re a mom, you don’t get a day off, ever. And there are a million different things I need to do today besides dealing with cold and flu symptoms. That’s why I use DayQuil COMPLETE. It’s my go-to!
It helps to temporarily alleviate cold and flu symptoms including:
– Nasal/ sinus congestion and pain
– Chest congestion and cough due to cold
– Sore throat pain
– Headache and other minor aches
– Fever
3. Get a good night’s sleep. It sounds reasonable, but if you’re battling cold and flu symptoms, you know that nighttime can be a struggle. If nasal congestion or sinus congestion and pressure are depriving you of a restful night, turn to Vicks NyQuil COMPLETE for relief of nasal congestion, cough due to cold, headache, fever, sore throat pain and runny and sneezy nose.
I’ve been using NyQuil Cold & Flu for years to help alleviate my cold symptoms, including cough due to cold, runny nose, sore throat pain and more. It’s a no-brainer: I need to be on my game during the day – even when I’m sick – so I’m thankful to have a go-to cold, cough and flu medicine this season.
4. Steam, saline, salt-water gargles. Or the three “S’s”, if you please. From my own experience, aggressively beginning a rotation of warm steam (such as the vapours from a hot shower or humidifier), a saline nasal rinse and a salt-water gargle – as soon as cold symptoms are present – go a long way to stave off more serious effects. There’s nothing sexy about shooting saline up your nostrils or singing the alphabet as you gargle, but trust me, it works.
5. Take care of yourself. Perhaps you’ll need to sneak in an afternoon nap or grab takeout for the family. Whatever it takes, concentrate on getting better and then catch up – you’ll actually feel better sooner if you give yourself the R&R you need for recuperation.
This cold and flu season, I wish you #NoSickDays! For more information, visit www.vicks.ca and www.facebook.com/VicksCanada. To ensure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label. Keep out of reach of children.
I created this post as a paid ambassador for Vicks. All opinions and advice are my own and I only showcase companies and/or products I genuinely use and endorse.
we got hit during the March break, not so much a fun break for the kids, then the last part of the weekend I got it after the kids finally feel better and we could do something fun it hit me, we do go as a family as well to get the shots, if it wasn’t for vicks I wouldn’t of been able to do anything but it got me threw and we had some fun :D
Hubby and i have been sick free all winter.Thanks these are great tips,glad your feeling better.
We have been good this winter in terms of cold/flu bugs, knock on wood we have not been invaded this year.
Had a bit of a flu this year. NyQuil is my go to treatment.
Thanks for the great tips. The next time I’m down with a cold I will try NyQuil for sure.
ok noted about the DayQuil COMPLETE! Something I will make sure to grab next time i am at the store. also … i guess my hubby was right with the salt water gargles …but i will never tell him that shhhhh
I have never had a flu shot in my life. My immune system must be cast iron as I don’t get colds or get sick and I am General manager for a small company handling HR etc. I think if your system is allowed to build up immunity instead of babying it you stand a better chance of beating the odds.I grew up chewing on lead painted window sills and crib railings. I wasn’t coddled, ate everything I liked and I think the kids nowadays are far and away protected too much and not allowed to build up defences against illness and diseases.
I am normally healthy and rarely get sick, but this winter, I got influenza and twice I got a bad cold! I do not like being sick
Since I have been getting my flu shot I have been real good at not getting sick, I might get the sniffles here and there for maybe a day, but that is something I can handle and will take over the flu any day
We almost made it home free this winter but not quite.We picked up a flu bug and cold a week ago.My husband was told by the pharmacist that Buckley’s was pulled from the shelves for some reason unknown to us. Because we needed a good cough syrup we asked for the Vick’s and he recommended the Nyquil complete.It’s our go to brand from now onbecasue we started feeling better right away.
I will be using your tips our vacation begin is just 18 days!!!
I get the flu shot each year, and wash my hands vigorously. Healthy so far!
Unfortunately sick days were super common this past winter – with kiddo in daycare and sharing germs, we got hit hard. Hopefully all that is done now that the warm weather has arrived!
There is nothing worse than a really nasty cold that lingers. I have seen really strong people brought down by a cold for weeks. I *usually* follow your guidelines to the best of my ability!
It’s funny to NyQuil on your post. I love using it! I travel a lot and I have to bring NyQuil with me. It’s the only thing, that can help me with my cold. I love your post
My husband swears by Nyquil and Dayquil and whenever he get sick he swes this makes him better
I’ve been lucky and haven’t had a cold or flu for years. I think it’s because I do all the things you mentioned and I have no kids which really helps! Lol!
Our family always gets the flu shot every fall.
Haven’t been sick in a long time. I did almost fall sick a few times but nothing bad.