<p>While influenza tends to peak in the colder months, viruses transmit year-round. When it comes to COVID-19 or any other viruses, the best strategy is to be a step ahead: stay protected and slow the spread with HSA eligible <a href="https://hsastore.com/home-health-care/personal-protective-equipment-ppe">personal protective equipment (PPE)</a>.</p> <p>The most important items to always have at hand are <a href="https://hsastore.com/medicine-and-treatments/first-aid">hand sanitizers and hand sanitizer wipes</a>. Make sure you have a mini hand sanitizer with you at all times — they’re a convenient size to have in your purse or your car. </p> <p>If you need a family-sized sanitizer for your home, or even school, or an office, large dispensers with a pump or spray bottles are ideal. For maximum protection and efficacy, use your sanitizers before they expire.</p> <p>When building a <a href="https://hsastore.com/medicine-and-treatments/first-aid">PPE for COVID kit</a>, remember disposable face masks for comfortable and lasting protection. To regularly check all the members of your family are healthy, don’t forget to include a no-contact forehead thermometer that gives fast, precise temperature readings from up to 2 inches away. With its non-invasive no touch feature, silent mode for a sleeping baby, and backlight for nighttime reading, you can take accurate readings anytime. </p> <p>For a complete peace of mind, have a convenient at-home COVID test — simply mail in your self-collected saliva sample to a certified, high-complexity clinical lab for discreet and accurate results.</p> <p>Are you wondering whether you can take <a href="https://hsastore.com/medicine-and-treatments/cold-and-allergy">over-the-counter (OTC) cold</a> or <a href="https://hsastore.com/medicine-and-treatments/pain-relief">pain relief meds</a> to relieve the flu-like side effects following your COVID vaccine shot? According to the CDC, it’s safe to take OTC cold and pain relief medicine after getting the vaccine.* However, it is recommended to wait to take these for after you have received your shot. The bothersome symptoms can be alleviated with OTC pain relief meds like ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), or with products specifically designed to relieve cold and flu symptoms (liquid medicines, nasal and throat sprays, or hot drinks). </p> <p>Be prepared and stay ahead of seasonal colds and viruses with HSA eligible COVID and PPE items! </p> <p>*This is not a substitute for a professional diagnosis.</p>