As the weather grows even colder and we prepare to gather for various wintertime holidays, we’ll need to be vigilant to curb the spread of sickness. In recent weeks, both influenza and COVID cases have been increasing, with increased hospitalizations for COVID-19 as well. The rate of influenza sickness is highest in the southern United States, while COVID-19 cases have increased the most in the midwestern and northeastern parts of the country.
The season for respiratory illnesses intensifies during December and an increased rate of travel and gathering under one room, combined with a lack of precaution, is a recipe for increased illness rates. If you’re feeling sick, you should probably spend your holidays at home this year. If you’re feeling fine and are traveling, here’s everything you need to ward off sicknesses such as COVID and influenza, as well as ways to recover if, despite your best efforts, you come down with something.
Symptoms of the flu
Potential symptoms of influenza include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms of COVID-19
Symptoms that are found across COVID-19 variants include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Changes to sense of smell
Difference between COVID-19 and influenza symptoms
Influenza and COVID-19 share many symptoms, but some symptoms are more common for one illness than the other.
Symptoms associated with both influenza and COVID-19:
- Fevers
- Chills
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Symptoms more common with influenza:
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Congestion
Symptoms more common with COVID-19:
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste and smell
Products to protect yourself from COVID and the flu
A mask
Credit:
Reviewed / Powecom
A mask is the best defense against COVID-19
Whether you’re warding off the flu or COVID-19, a mask is effective at blocking the particulates that cause their spread. A KN95 or N95 mask is the best way to block these airborne particles.
White Powecom® KN95 Respirator Face Mask
Using a mask significantly reduces your chances of contracting and spreading sickness.
$11 from Bona Fide Masks
A COVID-19 test
Credit:
Reviewed / QuickVue
Use an at-home test kit to see where you stand.
Symptoms of COVID-19 often overlap with influenza or the common cold—and this is assuming you display symptoms at all. It’s a good idea to use an at-home rapid COVID-19 test to see where you stand if you’re feeling under the weather or if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test
This at-home test will give you your results in less in 20 minutes.
$24 from Amazon
Hand sanitizer
Credit:
Reviewed / Germ-X
Sanitize your hands regularly.
The flu can be spread by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface coated with contaminated particles. With this in mind, it’s good practice to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when you cannot.
Germ-X Hand Sanitizer
This hand sanitizer comes in a travel-size bottle so you can clean your hands while on the go.
$5 from Amazon
A thermometer
Credit:
Reviewed / Femometer
Use a thermometer when if start feeling hot
Running a fever is one of the many symptoms of the flu and COVID-19, so if you feel uncomfortably hot for no discernible reason, you should break out the thermometer. Our pick for the best thermometer you can buy is Femometer’s Digital Infrared Thermometer since it gives accurate results in an instant.
Forehead Thermometer for Adults and Kids
Use a thermometer to determine whether or not you’re running a fever.
$14 from Amazon
An electric kettle
Credit:
Reviewed / Cuisinart
Brew soothing tea in a snap
Sipping a cup of tea can work wonders when you’re sick. To brew tea quickly and easily while you’re sick, we recommend using a quality electric kettle such as our favorite, the Cuisinart PerfecTemp. This kettle is intuitive to use, has several presets to make brewing even simpler, and boasts the fastest brewing times of the kettles we’ve tested.
Cuisinart 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle
Our favorite electric kettle makes brewing tea a breeze.
$85 from Amazon
An air purifier
Credit:
Reviewed / Blueair
A purifier can help keep COVID out the home
A quality air purifier can filter pollutants from your home, including the ones responsible for COVID-19 and influenza. Beyond viruses, an air purifier eliminates pollutants that can contribute to allergies and lung complications, making it a good investment for the home. The best we’ve tested is the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. This quiet purifier boasts excellent particle filtering, simple controls, and a washable prefilter, which reduces the frequency and cost of filter changes.
BLUEAIR Air Purifiers
Using an air purifier can curb the chance of getting sick in the home.
$160 from Amazon
A sleep mask
Credit:
Mzoo
Catch some Zs no matter the time of day.
Getting plenty of restful sleep will help you recover if you find yourself sick. If you need to sleep during the day (which you often do when you’re sick) we recommend using a sleep mask such as the one sold by Mzoo. This mask is the best we’ve tested, and it’s great at blocking light. Unlike other sleep masks, it doesn’t put any pressure on your eyes.
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
Get quality rest no matter the time of day.
$17 from Amazon
Tissues
Credit:
Reviewed / Puffs
Treat your nose to only the softest tissue.
Make sure you throw your used tissues into isolated trash bags to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. To make the experience less uncomfortable, we recommend using the best tissues we’ve tested, Puffs Ultra Soft, which we love for their durability and, of course, softness.
Ultra Soft Non-Lotion Facial Tissues
Have the softest tissues at the ready for when you’re sick.
$18 from Amazon
A pressure cooker
Credit:
Reviewed / Ninja
Make food without the fuss
Using a pressure cooker, you can keep the chicken soup flowing even when all you want to do is lie in bed. The best pressure cooker we’ve tested is the Ninja Foodi OL701 which cooks well, has lots of features, and is easy to clean.
Ninja OL701 Foodi
Make delicious meals in a jiffy.
$200 from Amazon
A weighted blanket
Credit:
Reviewed / Gravity
Get some rejuvenating rest with our favorite weighted blanket
Another way to make sure you get the rest you need if you come down with something is to use a weighted blanket. Studies show that using weighted blankets can lead to easier and more restful sleep. The best weighted blanket we’ve tested is the Gravity Blanket because it’s easy to clean, durable, and provides the perfect amount of pressure.
Gravity Blankets Weighted Blanket
The best weighted blanket we’ve tested will help you get to sleep and stay asleep.
$163 from Amazon
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