>>Consider testing over-the-counter meds ahead of time in benign conditions to ensure personal effectiveness.

I'm not sure this is something I'd consider. What are you going to do, deliberately catch a cold to see if your OTC cold medications actually work? Or take medicine you don't need to take, just to see - what? If you have an allergic reaction to it?

I'm not sure what this "testing" would consist of, or what it would prove, but IMNSHO taking unnecessary medication just to see what it does is not something I would recommend.