20 essentials for every home during cold and flu season

In addition to taking precautions, like getting your flu shot, it's a great time to take an inventory of your home's medicine cabinet for when the inevitable happens. Flip through the slideshow below for 20 essentials that every home should have during cold and flu season, from the meds you'll need to little comforts that make being sick a bit easier. 

The common cold and influenza are both highly contagious, and masks have been shown to reduce the spread of airborne illnesses significantly. Keep a stash of surgical masks (or better yet, N95 masks) for when you're not feeling well but still need to make a trip to the pharmacy. 

Keep your medicine cabinet stocked with pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen and cold and flu treatments like Theraflu, Mucinex, and NyQuil. What you'll need depends on the symptoms you're experiencing, but this list should at least get you started. Getting a jump start will keep you from having to make a dreaded pharmacy trip when you're already feeling under the weather. 

The jury is out on whether humidifiers are actually beneficial during a common cold, but many find relief from a cough by breathing more humid air. You can also use a humidifier for aromatherapy, which is a nice touch when feeling under the weather. 

A fever is one of the most common cold and flu symptoms, which makes a good thermometer essential this time of the year. Go for a digital, in-ear infrared thermometer or a contact thermometer that makes it easy to take a wiggly toddler's temperature, depending on your family's needs. 

Colds and influenza are highly contagious in your home and general areas, making for a quick spread among everyone in the family. Use disinfecting wipes or spray to clean high-touch surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, and faucets. 

Keeping your hands clean is key in the battle against communicable illnesses like the flu, which means you'll want to have a solid hand sanitizer stash before these viruses descend on your home. Keep a bottle in high-traffic areas, and remember to stash a travel bottle or two in your bag, car, and kids' backpacks. 

When a cold brings sinus congestion, a neti pot is a great (and natural) way to flush all the gunk out of your sinuses. Be sure to use distilled water, and follow the directions on your specific neti pot. 

Studies have shown that taking zinc can reduce the severity of a cold, which means that this inexpensive supplement is a great addition to your daily line-up of vitamins during cold and flu season. 

Known for its immune-boosting properties, you can get more Vitamin C in your diet by eating foods like citrus fruit, tomatoes, and sweet peppers, or you can add a supplement like Emergen-C to your routine. 

The science on honey's ability to mitigate seasonal allergies is inconclusive, but it's great for soothing a cough or a sore throat, whether you stir it into a mug of hot tea or simply down a spoonful. 

Sipping a warm beverage can loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat, but caffeine may not be the best idea when you're feeling under the weather. Buy your favorite herbal tea, like mint or chamomile, and turn on the kettle whenever your throat starts feeling scratchy. 

If you're the type that prefers more natural remedies, elderberry could strengthen the immune system and ward off colds and flu. You can buy dried elderberries online and make a syrup or gummies to take daily as an immune-boosting supplement. 

It's easy to get dehydrated when under the weather, which will only make you feel worse. Keep packets of electrolyte powder, like Liquid IV or Pedialyte, on hand to ensure you stay hydrated until you feel all better. 

Blowing your nose can result in seriously chapped skin around the mouth and nose, which is really painful. Keep a tin of Vaseline on hand to protect that skin, and don't forget about the lip balm because your lips will probably get chapped at one point or another. 

Now that cold & flu season is also COVID-19 season, it's always good to have a stash of tests on hand if you're feeling under the weather. Sometimes, what can feel like a cold is COVID, and it's best to know for sure, especially if you have underlying health conditions or live with someone who does. 

Nobody wants to cook when sick, and a little prep in advance can ensure that you have a comforting meal even when you feel terrible. Spend a little time making chicken soup and storing it in freezer-safe containers, or keep it old-school with a can of Campbell's and a box of saltines in the pantry. 

If you've got a stomach bug, ginger candies like Gin Gins can help keep the nausea at bay. You could also make a tea with fresh mint and ginger, which will also settle your stomach. 

Few things feel better when you're sick than a hot, steamy shower, and that's especially true if you're using a shower tablet packed with eucalyptus and menthol to help open up your sinuses, like Vicks VapoSteam tablets. Simply drop the tablet on your shower floor and prepare to breathe again. 

Sore throats and dry coughs abound this time of year, so you'll need a good stash of cough drops. Try the Halls Vitamin C drops for a little immune boost, or Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat drops for a more natural option. 

Unfortunately, tissues are essential when you've got a cold. If you can't stand the waste of paper tissues, try a washable option like LastTissue's zero-waste tissues, which can be washed (and disinfected!) and reused.