COVID-19, RSV and flu cases are making rounds—these products may help navigate the "tripledemic"
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Experts warn that infectious diseases will be particularly nasty this holiday season. This is largely owed to the presence of a "tripledemic" consisting of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza (the flu). The presence of all three at once means that infections and transmissions will be harder to avoid. Experts state that the flu is particularly bad this year, with the most December cases in a decade.
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You'll need to use caution if you want to keep yourself and others safe from infection. Taking preventative measures such as getting vaccinated and wearing a mask can help in this regard, though it’s impossible to guarantee that you won’t get sick. If you do find yourself or someone in your household sick, there are several ways to help you have a speedy recovery and ease discomfort. Talk to your doctor about how to best care for your symptoms.
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COVID symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the symptoms associated with COVID-19: Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste and/or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Flu symptoms
The flu can present similar symptoms to COVID-19. According to the CDC, flu symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea are also possible symptoms, but they are more common in children than adults.
RSV symptoms
RSV is a respiratory virus that usually causes mild symptoms, but can be serious for infants or adults with compromised immune systems. Symptoms of RSV can include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing. In young infants, RSV can also present irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties.
Face masks
Masks provide an effective method in curbing the spread of COVID-19, the flu and RSV. This is because properly filtrated masks can stop the transmission of airborne particles from one person to another. The key phrase here is “properly filtrated,” as cloth masks aren't as effective at filtering tiny particles. Instead, health officials recommend that individuals opt for three-ply masks such as N95 and KN95. Both masks have 95% filtration efficiency, meaning they're the gold standard when it comes to protection. While there are many places to buy these masks online, you should take caution and avoid sellers who offer counterfeit masks, which offer less protection.
Reusable water bottle
A water bottle is helpful for use before and after getting sick. If you’re understandably wary of using public fountains because of germs, you can use a water bottle instead. If that doesn’t work and you find yourself sick, drinking water is vital for a speedy recovery. Drinking can help flush toxins through your system and keeps you hydrated if you’re losing liquids from various symptoms. The Brita filtering water bottle is the best we've ever tested because it's inexpensive, lightweight and comes equipped with a filter for premium taste. It even has a straw perfect for use when you're sick and don't feel like moving a muscle. The stainless-steel insulation will keep your water cold for up to 24 hours.
Disinfectant wipes
While the risk of becoming infected through contact with surfaces is lower than breathing in infected particles, it never hurts to use disinfectant wipes to clean highly used surfaces like tables, doorknobs and light switches. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant wipes that are approved to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as Lysol, can be found easily. This pack of four can be stored at home or taken on the go.
Hand sanitizer
While washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is the best way to fight germs, a squeeze of hand sanitizer goes a long way when you’re in a pinch. When buying sanitizer, make sure the formula contains at least 60% alcohol, as recommended by the CDC.
Air purifier
While an air purifier alone is not enough to protect you or others from germs, when used in combination with other CDC-recommended safety measures, air filtration can be an effective component of transmission reduction. Plus, air purifiers can remove irritants and pollutants that worsen allergies. The Blueair DustMagnet 5410i is the best air purifier we've ever tested thanks to its quietness, exceptional particle removal and integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Thermometer
Seeing as all three ailments are associated with fevers (defined as a temperature above 100.4º F), a thermometer is useful to have at home to monitor symptoms. The Vicks SpeedRead thermometer is a classic oral thermometer that’s easy to read, can be washed in water and is inexpensive. If you want a no-touch forehead thermometer, you should get one offered by Femometer, which is highly rated because of its reliability, ease of use among children and adults alike and lower price tag.
Pulse oximeter
An oximeter is a medical device that attaches to your finger to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. Low oxygen could be indicative of a medical issue, including COVID-19 or RSV. Oxygen saturation below 90 percent is considered hypoxic, meaning that there’s a lower level of oxygen than what is considered healthy in the blood.
At-home COVID-19 test
As symptoms of the flu, RSV and COVID-19 can often overlap, a good way to see if you have COVID-19 specifically is by testing yourself. At-home COVID-19 tests are a convenient way to get tested and can give you results in as little as 15 minutes.
Humidifier
When it comes to COVID-19, the CDC specifically recommends humidifiers to ease symptoms. Humidifiers can also relieve a stuffy nose associated with other ailments like the flu. Plus, with the weather getting colder, you’ll have to contend with dry skin, lips and sinuses. With all of this in mind, you should get yourself a quality warm mist humidifier like the LEVOIT humidifier, which we found to be the best on the market. This humidifier can help return moisture to your home, and in the process, soothe sore throats and dry noses.
Essential oil diffuser
An essential oil diffuser is another nifty gadget that can give relief to some of your symptoms. Not only will it add extra moisture to your room, but depending on the oil you use, it may help clear your sinuses or make it easier to fall asleep. The Saje Aroma Om is the best essential oil diffuser we’ve tested because it’s made of high-quality material, is easy to use and has a cool design.
Tissues
The only thing worse than having a runny nose is having rough tissue to wipe your nose with or worse yet, having no tissues at all. To save yourself from these horrifying scenarios, we recommend stocking up on Puffs Ultra Soft tissues, our favorite tissues because of how soft yet durable they are.
Electric kettle
When you're sick, a hot cup of chamomile tea can go a long way. In order to brew it up quickly so you can get back under the covers, you'll need an efficient electric kettle. The PerfecTemp by Cuisinart is our absolute favorite and has the fastest boiling time out of all the models we tested. If you're trying to live a more frugal lifestyle, you can opt for our budget pick, Hamilton Beach’s Electric Tea Kettle. It's less expensive but still performs like a high-end electric kettle.
Sleep mask
Fatigue is an unfortunate side effect of many illnesses, but what’s worse is that being sick can make it much harder to fall asleep. A good sleep mask is essential for getting some shuteye no matter what time of day it is. The Mzoo sleep mask is the best we’ve tested because of its comfortable fabric that provides room for your eyes so that they're not uncomfortably pressed against the mask.
Weighted blanket
Weighted blankets offer not only the rest needed when you’re sick, but comfort, too. They have a calming effect with their gentle pressure and coziness that can improve sleep and relaxation. Gravity Blanket ranks as the best weighted blanket we've tested because it provides the perfect amount of pressure, it's easy to clean and will last you for years to come. It doesn't come cheap, so as a budget option we recommend the YnM Weighted Blanket, which is cozy and well-constructed for a fraction of the price.
Heating pad
With various ailments causing chills and body aches, having a heated pad will bring much-needed relief if you find yourself afflicted with either. The best electric heating pad we've ever tested is the BodyMed Digital Moist Heating Pad. It heats fast, maintains a steady high temperature and is easy to use. If you prefer a less expensive, microwavable pad, check out the one offered by Caylee's Creations. It's soft, machine-washable and doubles as a cold compress when you freeze it.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: RSV, flu, COVID-19 symptoms: How to prevent and soothe during recovery
