Have the flu? It can cost you

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - The nasty flu season is really taking a toll across the United States. Businesses may see billions of dollars in losses due to all the employees who are forced to stay home sick, according to Fox Business. And if the flu hits your home, it could put a real dent in your family budget as well.

Get your shopping list ready, because the cost you pay to feel better when you or your family has the flu doesn't come cheap. An estimated annual $10.4 billion is spent on direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults because of the flu.

But even if your illness is mild and you can get by with rest, over-the-counter meds, and chicken noodle soup, stocking up your household will add up.

To get a better idea of just how much, we loaded our baskets with both over-the-counter medicines and natural ones to find out what the total bill will be.

We grabbed flu go-to items for one person: tissues, decongestants, lip balm, tea, and more. The total: $98.88. That is just one person.

The natural therapies were more than double that.

Yet, aside from what you're bound to spend to feel better, you can really notice the cost of it all—mentally and physically—simply from missing days at work.

But at the end of the day, you can't put a price on health.