Have you ever noticed how the slightest mention of the word, flu, can make you cringe? The fear of getting it, wondering if the flu shot is worth it and taking a gamble. After all, it seems as though getting the flu shot has about the same odds as not getting it. And how hard can it be to survive the flu in the UK? Right?
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We took that gamble in the USA. And we took that gamble because the one year we got the flu shot, we actually got the flu. 🤢So, what’s the point of the flu shot and all those tears? 😭
But what about getting the flu shot while living abroad?
Even in England, we chose to opt out of the NHS flu shots provided at school and nearly every chemist in town. Logically it made sense to opt out. We escaped the flu for so many years. Why start now if we didn’t bother with them in our home country?
And then January hits. The flu strikes. And not a clue on how to survive the flu living in the UK.
I wouldn’t change my mind about getting the flu shot in England, but because I didn’t think we’d get it I was totally unprepared.
My kids are beyond the baby stage, toddler stage and approaching tween status. But it never fails that when they get sick, you feel helpless and uncertain what to do.
Most illnesses, like common colds or coughs, aren’t serious enough to do much more than pumping them with orange juice, water, and Tylenol. But, when your kid gets the flu while living overseas, everything suddenly becomes a bit panicky.
Things that you typically rely on to survive the dreaded flu simply aren’t available. A quick ride to CVS or Rite-Aid would make everything better.
So, what do you do when the flu strikes while living abroad and you’re totally unfamiliar with how your new home country handles it? You don’t have a regular pediatrician, healthcare is simply different and it’s the first time your family has experienced the flu abroad so your clueless?
That’s me. That’s my son last week. The joy of January. 😂
Even though I’ve lived in the UK for 1.5 years, there are things you simply don’t think about needing to know or prepare for until it becomes an emergency. Your kid getting the flu abroad is one of those things.
If you’re an American living abroad and your kid gets sick with the flu for the first time, it can cause quite the panic. With no Tylenol, no Motrin, no Mucinex, and no Gatorade in the UK, what do you do?
Thankfully, I have developed an amazing network of British friends who look after me. I’m pretty sure they worry about me getting on in these types of situations, so when word got around that my son had the flu, they came to our rescue.
With a little help from British friends, here’s what to buy and where to buy the best products to help your child through the flu and so that your family can escape from it, too! 🙌
What to buy if your child gets the flu in England:
- Calpol – This is paracetamol which is a pain reliever and fever reducer, similar to Tylenol. Unfortunately, it doesn’t taste as well as children’s Tylenol. It can be purchased in liquid or tablet form.
- Children’s Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray – For little throats that need quick relief. It’s not sold at Boots, but can be purchased for delivery from Ocado.
- Lucozade Sport – The next best thing to Gatorade in the UK. Choose the low sugar orange flavor.
- Antibacterial hand wash soap – Try Baylis & Harding aloe, tea tree, and lime luxury hand wash. It includes moisturizers so your hands don’t feel cracked and dry after all the repetitive hand washing.
- Antibacterial wipes – Though you can’t buy Clorox wipes in the UK (one can cost up to £70 on Amazon), there are many safe options available. Dettol appears to be the Clorox equivalent. Or pick up Boots brand that is safe for hands.
- Antibacterial hand gel – Widely available everywhere in all sorts of varieties.
- Kleenex – This is available in the UK. The actual brand is incredibly popular and available at most grocery stores and chemists.
- Ice trays – Since most refrigerators in the UK don’t come with ice makers, buy an ice tray for your child to suck on ice to soothe the throat or help with hydration. That’s how we got through the first 12 hours of the flu before the other symptoms struck.
- A bucket for….well, you know. Try this black bucket from Sainsbury’s for only £2.
What to avoid if your child gets the flu:
- Benylin Dry & Tickly Cough Syrup – This nearly made my son gag and he’s a pretty tough kid. He’ll take and eat anything, so when he started crying and almost vomited from the medicine, I tossed it. It tastes like black licorice with hints of honey. It’s quite terrible.
- Fishermen’s Friend Original Lozenges – Ditto to the Benylin. I purchased because they reminded me of cough drops my mom bought me as a child in Maine when I was sick. I didn’t know better…
If you’re still not sure about navigating the children’s medicine landscape of England, take a stroll with me through Boots to buy essentials to survive the flu living abroad.
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest, fluids and check their temperature regularly. And remember, if your child isn’t getting better or has a consistent temperature over 101℉ for over 48 hours, call a doctor. 👩⚕️
Thankfully the flu arrived and left as fast as a hurricane. It only hit my son and has remained that way for nearly a week. If you get unlucky too, pick up these essentials, ask a friend, or even use a delivery service, like Ocado. Whatever is the fastest way! With the right care, sleep and essentials to survive the flu, this too will pass.
Looking for other resources to help expat living in the UK, find where to buy American things here.
Extra special thank you to Michaela for helping us survive the flu in the UK! 🇬🇧
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