Flu Frenzy in Southwest Florida: Finding Cough Meds is a Challenge
Flu Frenzy in Southwest Florida: Finding Cough Meds is a Challenge.
Are you feeling under the weather in southwest Florida? Brace yourself for the ultimate scavenger hunt of finding cough medicine or cough drops on store shelves. With the flu season being one of the worst in a decade, the demand for medication has skyrocketed leading to temporary shortages at local stores. Even over-the-counter medicine has become a rare commodity, making little trickier to find in some areas. That’s where we are at folks. Need cough relief? Not a drop. Seriously. I couldn’t find a drop of cough drops.
If you are experiencing an itchy throat, you’re not alone in your frustration. Pharmacies across the country are facing high demand for cold and flu medication. So, if you can’t find your preferred cold/flu treatment products on the shelf, be ready to call gramma for some of her “Old World” treatments. Whiskey anyone? You could always ask the pharmacist for recommendations. But don’t be surprised if their suggestions include drinking a hot cup of chicken soup or having a bowl of ice cream, as those are becoming the new go-to medicine.
But have no fear, the flu season may be coming to an end soon. According to CNN, Flu hospitalizations have dropped for the second week in a row, a sign that activity is slowing down in most parts of the country. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association believes that as the flu slows down so will the demand for medication, and we’ll see an end to the shortage.
So, in the meantime, if you’re feeling under the weather, grab a blanket, a box of tissues and settle in for a marathon of your favorite TV show. Who needs medicine when you have Netflix and chill?
