First, let me start off by saying that while this information was written by a real doctor if you are currently taking any medication please discuss your preparation plans with your own personal physician to get a plan that is customized for you, okay…moving on.

Here are some of the most common “why's” behind what you will need to stock up on: 

• Upper respiratory infections– bacterial bronchitis and pneumonia that can lead to sepsis and will require an anti-biotic.
• Flu– can be deadly and can lead to life-threatening pneumonia. Early treatment with an ant-viral will be required.
• Skin infections from cuts, animal/snake bites or any break of the skin that is worsening – cellulitis will require an anti-biotic.
• Severe skin reactions like poison ivy that need a local or systemic corticosteroid (Prednisone)
• Severe diarrhea that requires an antibiotic – traveler’s diarrhea and bacterial food poisoning.
• Urinary tract infections– can lead to kidney infection and uro-sepsis will require an anti-biotic.
• Respiratory emergencies, e.g., asthma attacks and COPD that require a rescue inhaler and possible systemic corticosteroids
• Systemic Allergic reactions of any type that will require a corticosteroid (Prednisone)

Lifesaving Rx:

• Respiratory infection –personal antibiotic, rescue inhaler and systemic corticosteroid
• Flu – Tamiflu Rx
• Skin infection –personal antibiotic
• Skin rashes, contact dermatitis –Potent topical corticosteroid Rx and Prednisone
• Prednisone –multipurpose lifesaving medication for many emergency medical situations
• Traveler’s diarrhea antibiotic – personal antibiotic
• Urinary Tract Infection –personal antibiotic
• Systemic Allergic reaction –prednisone and Epi-pen

The 7 medications for WTSHTF are based on a personal review with an expert physician:

1. Anti-biotic for a common bacterial bronchitis or community acquired pneumonia. Azithromycin would be a good example for someone without an allergy to this medication . A full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

2. Medicine for Flu. Typically, Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is used. Again, a full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

3. Medicine for a Broad Spectrum anti-biotic for severe pneumonia, urinary tract infection, skin infection or gastrointestinal bacterial infection. Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is a great lifesaving anti-biotic for these medical situations. Again, a full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

4. Medicine for a simple urinary tract infection or simple skin infection-cellulitis. Keflex (Cephalexin) and Bactrim (Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) are 2 classic anti-biotics used regally for these medical conditions. Again, a full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

5. Rescue inhaler – a bronchodilator called Albuterol comes in a hand-held inhaler ready to use on the spot. Again, a full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

6. Epinephrine Auto-Injector called EpiPen is a must for any medical allergic emergency. Again, a full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

7. Taper dose of oral glucocorticoid steroid called Prednisone. This is one the most important and universal lifesaving medication known to man! Again, a full medical history and list of medications, including allergies to medications is mandatory.

There you have it. While this may not cover every single situation you may encounter it covers enough of the wide spectrum that you should fare okay should something occur.

About The Doctor:Thomas O'Connor, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Click here to learn more about Survivor Doc and his team.

Source: Survival Doc