The past two weeks have treated my husband and I to the joys of single parenthood as we each were hit with a hard-core case of influenza. Thankfully we weren't hit with the stomach version, but more the fever/sleep inducing kind where you can barely remember to call in sick to work, let alone contemplate getting out of bed.

We are not unique in this venture as it seems the flu is just one of many illness making what is hopefully their last round this winter season.

My husband got the worst case and I was able to fend off my downfall a full six days before the bug caught up with me. In that spirit, I wanted to share a few of the drugstore remedies I found great appreciation for over the past few days as I tried to make my symptoms more bearable. If you're looking for some help, you might want to give these a whirl:

SudaCare Shower Soothers

These tablets look like urinal cakes but really do help with a stuffy nose/achy limbs you get when you're sick. They're worth the $5 for three of them. Available at any drugstore near the cold care products.

California Baby Cold & Flu Bubble Bath

Along the lines of the shower tablets, this earth-friendly bottle of goodness helps ease the congestion in little ones and soothe sore muscles. Plus it comes with a bubble wand to make anyone giggle. Available at Whole Foods, Outpost and other fancier locales.

Mucinex D

We're prone to sinus infections in our house and this has helped tremendously! It keeps the nose goo flowing so you can breath and your sinuses don't get infected as easily. Plus it lasts for 12 hours, which is simply lovely. The DM version is for coughs. Available at the drugstore.

Oil of Oregano

My chiropractor recommended this. I hadn't heard of it before but according to her its antiviral, antibacterial, etc. and will help you kick anything you feel coming on. If you're interested in this please do your own research and consult your physician before using. It's darn expensive and I'm not sure if it gave me a leg up on battling this illness.

Yogi Tea - Cold Season Sampler

This box includes three each of Yogi Tea's cold care teas: Throat Comfort, Breathe Deep, Echinacea Immune Support, and Cold Season Defense. They made us feel better and provided variety, which is needed when all you're doing is drinking tea.

Mom's Chicken Soup (working mom style)

My parents refer to Chicken Soup as Jewish Penicillin and really, nothing goes down easy as this. I didn't have the time to make this soup from true scratch, but came up with a good approximation that made enough soup to get our family through the past 10 days.

• 48 oz Low Sodium Chicken Broth (the big can)
• 1 Rotisserie Chicken from the deli hot box
• 3 carrots (chopped), about 1.5 cups
• 2 ribs celery (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons dill see
• 1/2 bag egg noodles

Heat the broth to simmer, toss in the carrots, celery and noodles. Cook the noodles until done according to the bag (6-8 min usually). In the meantime, shred the chicken, about 2 cups worth. Toss the chicken in during the last minutes of the noodles cooking. Put half the soup in the fridge to eat, freeze the rest in ziploc bags for your next bout of illness.

Stay well!