Is your ‘Sick Shelf’ fit for purpose?
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
WINTER is coming, as some man in Game of Thrones once said. Luckily, In Bermuda, this probably won’t mean a new ice age. But it will certainly mean the return of seasonal viruses like Covid-19, the flu and our old friend, the common cold.
Now is the time to make sure that the ‘Sick Shelf’ in your medicine cupboard is shipshape and ready, before your hour of need arrives…
OUT WITH THE OLD…
Have a good look at your existing medical supplies – and be ruthless about pitching anything past its ‘best by’ date. Like everything else, drugs have a lifespan. And while most health experts agree that accidentally popping an out-of-date pain pill (or two) will not cause serious harm, they also agree that drugs lose their potency over time.
Once you’ve cleared some space, it’s time to restock. But with what?
TESTING, TESTING
Make sure you have some Covid tests on hand, just in case (we stock individual tests for $6.95). The latest Government guidelines recommend that you stay at home until 24 hours after the fever and symptoms (sore throat, coughing, aches and pains) subside – without help from pain meds. You need to be particularly vigilant if you are going to come into contact with vulnerable groups – seniors, babies under six months, or anyone with a weakened immune system (cancer sufferers, for instance) – or attending an indoor gathering, where you don’t know who you will encounter.
FEVER PITCH…
Do you have a good thermometer in your house? If you still have an old-school mercury model, it’s worth investing in something easier to read – and safer (the consequences of a breakage and subsequent spill are not worth thinking about). An accurate temperature reading will help you tell if you’ve got a cold (which usually does not cause a high fever) and Covid or Flu. Which do. Keeping track of your temperature will also let you know when it’s safe to stop isolating. FYI, a fever is considered to be anything over 100.4 F (or 38 C).
We have a number of different, easy to read digital thermometers available for oral use that are very inexpensive.
OH, THE PAIN
There should be TWO kinds of over-the-counter pain relief on your Sick Shelf. Acetaminophen (Tylenol or Paracetamol), and an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen (Advil or Cuprofen), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin. Both types tackle aches, pains and fever. But because they work in different ways, you can take them together (or better yet, stagger them): the recommended dose of paracetamol or Tylenol; followed (two hours later) by a similar dose of an NSAID (taken with food, to prevent risk of tummy upset or ulcers).
And remember: if you have children in the house, you will also need pain relief for them. Oral suspensions of paracetamol and ibuprofen are available in store – but ask the pharmacist for advice on what medication would be best for your child.
DON’T BE SNIFFY…
If it’s a cold you’ve got, a saline nasal spray can help to ease congestion. And because it’s all-natural, you don’t have to worry if you are taking other medication – blood pressure pills, for instance, or antidepressants (both of which WILL rule out decongestants, which can elevate your pressure). They are even safe for children (Calpol do a nasal spray and nasal drops which can be used on infants, but again, check with the pharmacist to find your best option).
READY FOR THE COUGH
One particularly annoying symptom of Covid is the cough you just cannot suppress. Not only is it maddening for you – it’s also not going to endear you to those around you. You can try to cough into your elbow, or a hanky, but having a supply of good cough lozenges on hand is another way to go. We stock cough drops by Halls, Ricola and Fisherman’s Friend, to name just three – and sugar-free versions are also usually available.
Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.
