How to stock your medicine cabinet for cold and flu season

October 13, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

“My goat, my greatest of all time hack is saline,” says Dr. Mona Amin, a board-certified pediatrician. “Anytime my nose is feeling dry, even if I’m not sick, I am squirting saline into those nostrils to help keep it moist, almost like the version of washing your hands, but for your nose.” It is easier for viruses to attach to a dry nasal passage, so keeping it moist with saline adds one layer to what she calls the “Swiss cheese model” of prevention—no single method is perfect, but stacking layers reduces overall risk. This practical tip opens a conversation with reporter Andy Tegle on NPR’s Life Kit about how to stock a medicine cabinet and navigate cold and flu season with less panic and more preparation.

Prevention before the bottle

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What you'll learn

1 (00:16) **Cold & Flu Season Awareness** - Host Marielle Segarra and reporter Andy Tegle discuss noticing coughs on the train and the start of cold and flu season.
2 (04:20) **Takeaway 1: Prevention is Best** - Multiple factors weaken the immune system in cold weather, so focus on prevention.
3 (07:25) **Takeaway 2: Prep a Sick Box** - Assemble supplies before anyone gets sick to avoid scrambling.
4 (12:15) **Takeaway 3: Less is More with Meds** - Read labels, choose simple ingredients, and treat only the symptoms you have.
5 (16:28) **Supplements & Immunity** - Discussion on unregulated supplements like airborne, Emergen-C, and zinc.
6 (17:46) **Takeaway 4: When to Wait vs. Worry** - Know when to treat at home and when to see a doctor.
7 (21:56) **Episode Recap** - Summary of the four takeaways: prevention, prep a sick box, use simple meds, and know when to seek help.

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Show Notes

We can't prevent you from getting sick this year, but we can help you prepare. In this episode, we talk to a doctor and a pharmacist about their medicine cabinet must-haves, how to read medicine labels, and when to treat an illness at home or see a doctor.

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