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I don’t believe in flu shots and for most years, manage to avoid the dreaded stuff – but not this year. There is “flu” raging in parts of North Carolina right now. The particular strain that caught up with me starts with a tickle in the throat and itchy eyes, progresses to headache, fever and chills, and then you get the coughing and head congestion – followed by a day or two of exhaustion. Survivable but annoying.

I decided to put together a little “Surviving the Flu” checklist for things you’ll want to have handy in case the flu catches YOU this season. Fingers crossed that it doesn’t hit you later this holiday week or the next – but still never harm in being prepared.

First, you’ll want a box of Theraflu, 2 boxes of Kleenex, and a big bottle of Vitamin C. I’m a firm believer in Vitamin C. I think it makes you want to drink more fluids which in turn flushes germs from your system that much faster. I started slamming 6000mg of Vitamin C per day on Friday last week – and will continue through probably Thursday this week. The body removes any it doesn’t need so no worries about overdosing.

Theraflu just makes you feel better and warmer – and who suffering from flu doesn’t want that! This also means more helpful fluid intake for you – sometimes drinking another glass of just plain water doesn’t sound very appealing.

Drugstore.com is a good place to shop and stock up for any and all of these flu survival items. Echinacea is also good, but for flu, less successful. Flu hits fast and hard – if you haven’t started or been already taking Echinacea, it might not be able to keep up with rapidly increasing flu symptoms. Some Visine for relief of dry and itchy eyes was also beneficial.

This year’s flu came to me with a day (#2) of fever and some nasty, nasty chills. A nice warm blanket, a warm sweater and a comfortable bed or sofa WILL be required. You won’t be functioning well on Day Two.

If you’re like me and don’t get sick very often, you’ll be reminded and amazed at how hot AND cold you can feel – at the same time! Fever is the body’s way of burning out the germs so for most this is not a panic situation. Just know your body is working as it should to rid you of the viral invaders. My flu fever reached 101.7 before finally breaking late Saturday. Drink as much water as you can – it will keep you from getting dehydrated during this part of the process.

ShopIrish.com has some beautiful and VERY warm wool sweaters, blankets, and throws. Having a “favorite” of each available will make you at least mentally feel a bit better until the flu runs its course!

I am a stickler for hand-washing, etc. to avoid germs – but flu still caught me this year. If it gets you, being prepared to fight the few days worth of symptoms will help speed your recovery and make you feel a bit less miserable. The one thing you can’t buy is rest – and you’ll need it.