7 items you need on standby in case of sudden sickness

I got sick twice this month (thanks, flu, and gastroenteritis). And the worst part of these episodes is the fact that I had to muddle through without the kalinga of my mother. I’m 21. I live alone in a boarding house. I don’t have it all figured out yet.

When I woke up nauseous with a possible fever and sore throat on a Monday and realized that the flu had let itself in, I just sighed in defeat. I didn’t have pain relievers ready on my nightstand. Heck, I couldn’t even monitor my body temperature as I’ve no medical thermometer. My 5-liter water bottle was almost empty. And of course, food.

Everything meant I had to leave my bed and make a trip to the nearest convenience store and pharmacy. It brought me a more intense head and body ache (and exasperation—the nearest pharmacy didn’t have a thermometer). I also told myself this will never happen to me again.

I couldn’t be invincible, but I could minimize the pain I have to go through by unleashing the girl scout in me. Here are some things we should have on standby in case of sudden sickness:

Medical thermometer

This isn’t even on my to-bring list when I moved in my boarding house. So better have this device ready because there’s no legitimate app for it. (Or are there? Let us know.)

Over-the-counter medicines

Paracetamol is your best friend when it comes to pains and fever, loperamide for diarrhea, antihistamines for allergies.

Oral rehydration salts

Treat dehydration with these easy-to-prepare concoctions. Hydrite has apple-flavored packets, so if you’re meticulous about the taste of everything you ingest, this one’s recommended.

Canned chicken noodle soup

I always associate sick days with canned noodle soup; I think it’s become my comfort food. Most importantly, though, chicken noodle soup helps with nasal congestion and helps ease cold symptoms.