Cold and flu supplies checklist
The point is to buy this in October, not at nine in the evening in February. It is a small shop and it removes one bad decision from a bad week.
30 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- Medicines
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Children's doses, if relevant
- Throat lozenges
- Cough remedy
- Decongestant or nasal spray
- Rehydration sachets
- Thermometer that works, batteries checked
- Food and drink
- Tinned soup×4
- Honey
- Lemons
- Ginger
- Plain crackers and bread
- Something bland you would still eat with no appetite
- Ice lollies, which work better than anything for a sore throat
- Squash or juice
- Comfort
- Tissues, more than seems reasonable×4
- Lip balm
- A hot water bottle
- Vapour rub
- Spare pillowcases
- Hand sanitiser and soap
- Have ready
- The out-of-hours number written down
- Pharmacy opening times, including Sunday
- A plan for who covers work or the school run
- Enough of any regular prescription to not need the pharmacy
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- What should I keep in for a cold?
- Paracetamol, tissues, throat lozenges, honey and lemon, rehydration sachets and something easy to eat. Everything else is optional.
- When should I get advice rather than wait it out?
- That is a medical judgement, not a checklist one — but know where your out-of-hours number is before you need it, and write it somewhere findable.