8 simple ways to prepare your family for cold and flu season

(BPT) - Autumn is in full swing … and so is cold and flu season. As you settle into your fall routines, it's time to start thinking about how you can help your family stay healthy, weather the first sick day with ease and get on the mend as soon as possible.

"Don't wait until you're sick," said Nicole Henry, Pharm. D., pharmacist and district leader at CVS Health. "The best way to prepare for cold and flu season is to get ahead of it now by stocking up on the products that can help you stay healthy and recuperate comfortably when you do get sick."

To help you get started, Henry offers her top wellness tips to prepare the whole family for the months ahead, including products to keep everyone feeling their best, convenient care options and ways to save on health and wellness items.

1. Get your annual flu vaccine

If you haven't received a flu shot yet, it's time to make an appointment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people aged 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccination.

"The best time to get your flu shot is September and October before the flu starts to peak in your community," said Henry. "Even if you can't get a flu vaccine between September and October, it is still beneficial to get vaccinated to provide protection."

2. Prepare ahead of time

No one wants to go out when you're already sick or when your kids have come down with the sniffles. Make sure to have cold and flu products like CVS™ Ibuprofen and Severe Cough, Cold & Flu Medicine on hand to support your recuperation, along with a multivitamin like CVS™ Women's and Men's Multivitamin Gummies for overall wellness support.

Pro tip: If you forget or run out of cold and flu medicine, don't worry, you won't have to leave the house. Take advantage of same-day delivery by ordering your items online at CVS.com.

3. Wash your hands

Some of the best things you can do for your health are simple, like washing your hands. Make sure your family washes their hands regularly with soap and clean, running water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important to do after using the restroom, before preparing food or if you've been in contact with someone who is sick. If soap and water are not available, Henry recommends using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

4. Bring a humidifier home

During the colder months, the air naturally becomes drier outdoors and in. For the days when you need a little extra moisture, a humidifier can help. There are many types of humidifiers, but generally speaking, you'll see warm- and cool-mist options. You can have the best of both worlds by purchasing a model that offers both temperatures, like the CVS™ Ultrasonic Dual-Mist Humidifier, so that you can customize your room's humidity.

5. Stay hydrated and fueled

When you're sick, it's important to keep eating well and drinking fluids. Save yourself an extra trip by heading to your local CVS Pharmacy, where you can get beverages and groceries to keep your family fueled and hydrated all season long while you pick up your prescriptions and OTC medicines.

6. Make your dollars go further

Stocking up on all these cold-and-flu season products can be challenging, but there are ways to offset the cost. Remember, many of the health and wellness items you need may be eligible to purchase with your health savings account or flexible spending account.

You can also save some money by choosing store-brand versions of brand-name products. CVS Store Brand products simplify shopping and make wellness easy, offering a wide range of over-the-counter products to fit different needs and preferences, including those available in new aluminum bottle packaging, tamper-resistant containers and value-size options. Loyalty programs, like CVS ExtraCare, can offer further savings through deals and rewards like 2 percent back in ExtraBucks Rewards on qualifying purchases.

Pro tip: Track deals and your ExtraCare rewards in the CVS Health app.

7. Keep rapid antigen tests on hand

When you or your loved ones aren't feeling well, it could be more than a cold. Stock up on a few rapid antigen tests so you can easily test yourself or your family members (2+ years or older) for common illnesses like the flu and COVID-19.

8. Remember that your pharmacist is there to help

It can be confusing to know what product to choose when you're not feeling well. Your pharmacist can help answer questions and identify considerations based on your symptoms, age, other medications and individual health needs. Even OTC products may interact with other medications, so it is important to read the label and speak with your pharmacist if you are unsure which option is appropriate for you.

Sick days are inevitable, but you can make them easier to manage by keeping products on hand that support everyday wellness for the entire family. And if you do find yourself coming down with something and in need of products to help manage your symptoms, stay home and take advantage of CVS's same-day delivery via CVS.com. To learn more about how to keep your family healthy and find all the health and wellness products and services you need in one place, visit CVS.com.