Tips for Cold and Flu Season: Because You Can’t Take a Sick Day from Being a Mom

Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

cold symptom forecaster

There’s an old saying, “Treat a cold and it will go away in about 7 days. Do nothing and it will last about a week.” While not everyone gets all the same symptoms, according to this Cold Symptom Forecaster, one can expect a cough, sore throat, congestion, and more symptoms to peak during the first 4 days and last about a week.

Whether you are a pet parent, have human kids, or both, most of us have someone else who is counting on us to take care of them. We tend to put our family’s needs before our own and can’t just take off 4-7 days when we get sick.

While there is not much you can do to shorten the duration a cold, there are some things you can do to prevent and treat cold or flu symptoms.

Things to help prevent getting sick in the first place:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water, while scrubbing for at least 20 seconds
  • Get into the habit of cleaning the stuff you share with others, such as computer keyboards, phones, remote controls, counter tops, and more, to prevent the spread of cold and flu.
  • Get enough sleep each night (easier said than done!)
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet

What to do if you get sick anyway:

Ask your pharmacist for recommendations and be prepared:

Since I never know when one of us will get sick, and there’s nothing worse than having to go to the store when you’re already sick, I try to remember to stock up on tissues, cough drops and cold/flu relief products whenever I see a deal or have coupons. …especially this time of year!

medicine cabinet

If you aren’t sure what to get, ask your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations. As the #1 pharmacist recommended brand for adult cough,cold and flu relief, Vicks DayQuil can help you power through the day, and Vicks NyQuil is there to ensure you sleep through the night. There’s a reason why NyQuil is called “the night-time sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever, so-you-can rest medicine!”

nyquil

Daisy’s daddy especially relies on NyQuil to help him sleep when he’s sick, since he has to get up at 5:30am for work and every minute of sleep is essential.  I don’t know about you, but I find it especially hard to sleep when I’m sick. and the only thing worse than being sick, is being sick AND tired!

Important Info:

  • Before trying any new medication make sure to check with your doctor & follow the proper recommended course of treatment.
  • DayQuil & Nyquil is not recommended for children younger than 12. Be sure to consult your physician before giving DayQuil & NyQuil to children.
  • Always follow the usage guidelines for warnings and dosage directions.
  • Visit http://www.vicks.com for more information.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Vicks DayQuil & NyQuil. I received product samples and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Comments

  1. I could use some of that today.  Wow not fun being sick on the weekend b/c kids are everywhere and activiites dont stop.

  2. Savannah miller says

    I swear by NyQuil when I’m sick!  My little guy is in preschool and it seems that every time a kid at school gets sick he brings it home 🙁  So this cold and Flu season I have really be relying on the NyQuil 🙂

  3. Much needed today. My son woke up sick and I’m trying my best to avoid whatever it is!! Thank you

  4. great tips, I use them all in my house too , including NyQuil – no Mom has time to be sick!

  5. I love DayQuil when I get sick. If you have to be sick, at least you can feel better. 🙂

    Dawn

  6. Day Quil is a must in our home, it works wonders!

  7. I have been so, so sick this winter.  Nyquil is my go-to medicine!

  8. my husband always uses Vicks! It works wonders for him!

  9. I like nyquil, but only the tabs. I still remember the flavour of the liquid kind from when I Was a kid.

  10. I like to sleep on the couch all day when I’m sick. However, since I’ve gotten a dog who needs to eat 4 times a day and potty 35242342 times that’s not an option. Nyquil helps so much!

Leave a Reply to Tammi @ My Organized Chaos Cancel reply

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.