Staying healthy before & during trip? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

steen995

11-06-2004, 03:07 PM

toystoryduo

11-06-2004, 03:26 PM

Eat, healthy, get plenty of sleep, and use hand sanitizer. (Or wash your hands as often as possible.) Oh... don't forget to take your vitamins, too!:teeth:

mrsbornkuntry

11-06-2004, 06:29 PM

Some of these suggestions are a little extreme because my ds has a compromised immune system, but some suggestions I have are: WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY: After diaper changes, bathroom, before cooking, etc.

Change your dishcloth daily and when you wash your hands dry with paper towels, not cloth.

Take Clorox or Lysol wipes with you for public restrooms and public tables where they don't wash quite as often (fast food for example).

Try to wash toys frequently for child who puts them in their mouth.

Make sure they drink plenty of fluids

WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY :)

dzneelvr

11-07-2004, 09:15 AM

And don't forget to pack the over the counter aids such as pain reliever, decongestant, ear drops, etc. They can go a long way in keeping a symptom from becoming a full blown illness.
As far as flying with an ear ache--you need to check with the doctor, some ear infections can cause problems with inner ear and eardrum at high altitudes.
:earsgirl: :earsboy: :earsboy: :earsgirl:

HenDuck

11-08-2004, 05:07 PM

We have all (even my 4 y.o. DS) started taking Airborne. It is an effervescent tablet that you dissolve in water and drink every 3 hours at the first signs of a cold. (Orange flavored).

It has worked like a charm so far (knock on wood).

DS just started preschool and was getting sick every other week. He has not had a full blown cold in over a month thanks to Airborne. (He hates it by the way, but I make him take it).

Kids take half a tablet. If your child does not like the "fizzies", just let it sit until it stops fizzing.

My DH and I also take zinc with echinacea lozenges. Suck on them every couple of hours. I don't know if kids can take this because they may choke on it, but it will work for the parents!;)

Try one or the other or both together.

Good luck!

:wave2:

Disney Fool

11-09-2004, 03:31 PM

Eat lots of yogurt in the two weeks before you go.

PratersloveDW

11-09-2004, 03:46 PM

One thing a lot of people are skeptics about is taking kids to a chiropractor. I know, because I used to be one. I never believed that a chiroprcator could help my child more than my doctor was. Boy was I wrong, my DS (then 1year) had one ear problem after another and my doctor actually suggested a visit to a chiropractor. After just a week, my son had some nasty stuff coming out but was acting 100% better. He didn't tugg at his ears or have any more drainage. We finally were able to take him on a plane (to Disney World, of course). The doctor also gave us some ear drops to numb the ears on the plane if he should start to act as if he were in pain. And, for your 19 mo old, let him suck from his sippy cup/bottle (whatever he uses now). This will help the ears pop.

Best of luck and enjoy your trip!!!

kkcolton5

11-29-2004, 10:20 PM

We have three kids and a wonderful history using herbs! My DD is 11 and has only had one antibiotic prescription in her life because we rely on herbs to strengthen her immune system and treat symptoms as she gets them. In addition, our nearly-three-year old boy came down with repeated colds and ear infections UNTIL we began adding liquid echinacea with goldenseal to his juice whenever he began showing symptoms (stuffy nose, lethargy, etc.). Also, we use an immune-system booster called Kid's Defense by Wild Oats grocery store. It contains astragalus root (great immune-booster), Echinacea, Licorice Root, Shiitake Mushroom (excellent for the immune system and used in China for thousands of years!). You can find another herbal blend at a health food store or Whole Foods grocery that contains the same herbs. I truly believe this liquid extract, added to milk, water, juice, or taken alone, is the key to healthy kids.

I made the mistake of taking my one- and two-year olds to the kids' museum a few months ago and did not give them preventative herbal treatment in their juice. Yep! Colds unsued. I learned my lesson...again! The next month, again on a trip to the same kids' museum, I made sure to put the herbs in their juice all day long, and they stayed healthy. They've been taking herbs throughout the fall, whenever we're around other kids, in crowds, flying on airplanes, etc.. I know, I sound like a whack-job, but I'm just into healthy children! They are miserable when they're sick, and so am I! Try herbal medicine....you'll all feel GREAT!! Vitamin C, Zicam swabs, and handwashing are all worth it, too!!

lindaso

11-29-2004, 10:29 PM

I remember going through this with my older 2 kids at that age. I took them for an ear check about 3-4 days before the trip. They both had ear infections!! But it was enough time on the antibiotic that they were not bothered by the airplane. We kept the pink stuff on ice in the room and it was fine the whole trip.

kldmom2000

11-30-2004, 09:04 AM

I've had the same paranoia up til now... and I've vowed not to go in December again!LOL! We head out this Saturday and last week, my 2 yr old DD had a bad cold... I started taking Airborne as suggested by some people on the boards here and it DOES work!!! I did get a slight cold, but never got the congestion/cough/etc... the slight symptoms I did have were gone within 2 days.... DH and I are going to take it preventatively starting a day or two before we fly.... my 2 yr old can't take it and I haven't tried it w/ my 4 yr old DD, but we've been vigilant in the hand washing, carrying Purell antibacterial cleanser w/ us and using it frequently... I"ve put them in a mini-quarantine of sorts until we go-no children's museums, malls, etc.... my 4 yr old does go to preschool 3 mornings a week and that is making me mental, but so far so good..... ((HUGS)) and GL!

PAFamily

11-30-2004, 03:34 PM

I unfortunately am not so lucky! We went to my inlaws for Thanksgiving and my DS (3yrs old) and I are both really sick. We are leaving for Disney on Saturday I am hoping my DH and DD don't get sick between now and then and that my DS and I get better! This is no fun.... :guilty: I bought several large bottles of purell and put them in every bathroom.

Any other advice once you already have a bad cold? Fever, cough, conjestion etc.

Thanks

HenDuck

11-30-2004, 06:23 PM

Just an FYI -

Almost everytime my DS takes antibiotics (like with ear infections), he ends up with a yeast infection (jock/diaper itch type) within a week to a month later. It's symptoms are mad itching not soothed by OTC ointments. You can use OTC clortrimazole on the area(s) twice per day. My DS usually feels relief within 24-36 hours.

Poor child, takes after his mom. :rolleyes:

Anyway, now we always travel with clortrimazole, Butt Paste, and hydrocortisone or Lanacane.

Just thought someone might find this information useful.

(I think I posted earlier about Airborne and zinc with echinacea lozenges. I swear by them!)

Good luck! :goodvibes

kkcolton5

11-30-2004, 08:20 PM

Just a thought......try using acidophilus supplements (can be found in the refrigerated section at the health food store) when your kids are on antibiotics. Those drugs kill the good, beneficial bacteria as well as the bad bugs in your baby's intestines, so you need to give them probiotics to replenish the good guys! One brand is called Primodophilus. Your baby's system won't be messed up by using the antibiotics and he won't get a yeast infection!

long4disney

12-01-2004, 11:30 AM

My family has been taking the Juice+ supplements, which are whole food fruit and vegetable in a powdered form. They can be taken in a capsule, chewable or my 2 year old takes the gummies. Many of our friends and family also take them and we can honestly say we have all been very healthy. My son is the only one in his class that has not gotten the flu. My Dh is a physician and around sick patients all the time, and he has been able to stay healthy, especially since none of us have been able to get a flu shot this year.

You can look up the info on their website at www.juiceplus.com

momloveson

12-03-2004, 03:05 AM

The school year has started and we've all been quite sickly. Both my kids currently have ear infections (19 mo and 4 y). Our trip is in 3 weeks. I am so afraid that we're going to have to fly when they have colds and thus be in extreme ear pain. We wash our hands like crazy but my youngest licks everything.

Anybody have any secrets to great health? Anybody else flown with children when they had a cold?

DH and I each had a travel size of hand sanitizer in our fanny packs. They were easily accessible and we used them often. Our 4 yo touches EVERYTHING and we pulled out that sanitizer so often he started expecting it.

MrsPete

12-05-2004, 06:37 PM

Watch your family's diet carefully for a couple weeks before the trip. Plenty of fruits and vegetables, no fast food stops, limited sodas, plenty of milk . . . be sure your bodies are at their best.

Do the same thing during the trip. If the kids eat nothing but burgers, chicken nuggets and ice cream, they're going to become sluggish and won't feel good.

jenjersnap

12-06-2004, 03:04 PM

I've been quite worried about the germiness of the World for our trip next week. My 16 month old has a heart condition and we are vigilant here. We use the elderberry, echinacea, etc. syrup from the health food store, carry antibacterial wipes, use a clean Shopper/Diner for highchairs, and wash hands constantly. However, my ODS goes to pre-K and has brought home several nasty things ... that have made DH and I sick and not the boys, they have both had really mild coughs So I've learned these thing things work and I have to take better care of myself too.

ETA: I agree completely with the poster above too. Lots of fresh organic fruit and veggies and yogurt help immensely!

For WDW, we bought our 4-yr-old a fanny pack; I found these holders for the little Purell sanitizers that hang from fanny packs, backpacks or belt loops. he is very proud to have that - he thinks it's cool to have stuff dangling from his pack! - and I am hoping he'll use it constantly.

We do not use Airborne since it has aspartame in it - anyone know if that is still true? Wondered if the formula might have changed.

peacefulgirl

12-07-2004, 12:30 AM

TinkerPixxie

12-07-2004, 08:43 PM

Here i thought i was the only one stressing out over this. Ive got 5 children and three of them are stating to cough like crazy, I went ot Wild Oats today to get some herbal remedies but could not seem to figure out what to get. Ive never given any of them not prescribed so it was like a mystery to me what to do, what was safe etc etc.. We leave in 10 days and Im so afraid this coughing will lead into stomach virus' I keep hearing everyone locally talking about. I think now that Ive read the post I will go get some airborne and maybe some Kids Defense, thankyou kkcolton5 for posting and enlightening me. I guess if I can feel comfortable giving them concoctions made by chemicals in a lab i can feel comfortable giving them something herbal.
Tink~

kkcolton5

12-07-2004, 10:00 PM

Hey TinkerPixxie,
We'll be there on the 18th! Yep, Kids Defense is the BEST! I just ran out to Wild Oats tonight to grab two more bottles. We're doing the "preventative" thing here....pretty much keeping the kids home (except the school-ager, but she's got an immune system that is absolutely rock-solid) and keeping up the herbs. My usual dosing for the Kids Defense is one dropper squirted into juice (about 1/2 cup) for the one-year-old, and two droppers for the 35-month-old. They drink it up, no complaints. The kicker in Kids Defense is shiitake mushrooms. They, along with other medicinal mushrooms, are a proven immune-booster (Chinese medicine has used them for thousands of years, they can't be wrong, can they?! LOL). Good luck....and see you at The World!!!

Lesley

12-07-2004, 10:30 PM

We have neither Wild Oats or Whole Foods here....but I'll look at Earthfare for the Kids Defense stuff. We've been sick 4 of the last 6 weeks....currently I'm taking echinacea like crazy...as well as C and zinc and vitamins. I do have Sambucol...which I think might be similar. I generally prefer Herbs for Kids brand echinacea and other herbal blends...like their Horehound blend for respiratory support.

If you need this sort of thing while at WDW...go to Chamberlin's off of Sand Lake Rd. We discovered oscillococcinum there...incredible flu remedy!

Now if I could ever get my 4yo to finish her juice it'd be a miracle...I swear she knows if I slip anything in it!

kkcolton5

12-07-2004, 10:44 PM

The Kids Defense contains the following (so you can find it in your market): astragalus root, echinacea, licorice root, shiitake mushrooms, fresh yerba mansa root, & myrrh gum. I like Herbs for Kids, too! And Sambucol is incredible....elderberry is wonderful. My DH & I take it, too. Thanks for the tip on Chamberlin's....we'll definitely need to stock up on our stuff when we get there.
Have a wonderful and healthy trip!

TinkerPixxie

12-08-2004, 07:49 AM

GRAYWIFE

12-12-2004, 11:09 AM

I am the hand sanitizer Queen!! I keep a bottle at my desk, one in the car and one in my purse. It may sound like overkill but it make me feel more in control.

Another thing we do to try to help stop the spread of germs in our family is to use paper towels (no more cloth) in every bathroom. I bought cool paper towel holders from Target that sit on the counter.

When my DD does get sick we use Zicam nose swabs. They are homeopathic and my daughter does not have to try to drink some poor tasting liquid. It seems to reduce the severity of her colds and the length. My husband and I use them as well. The Airborne grape I bought for my daughter is awful. The Zicam really works best for us.

have a healthy vacation!!!

libba

12-12-2004, 04:29 PM

Hate to tell you but my pharmicist tells me the Zicam nasal swabs are fixing to be pulled from the market!!! People are losing their sense of smell ---PERMANENTLY!!!! EEEKKK!!!!

bdcp

12-12-2004, 05:28 PM

Having raised two boys to healthy adulthood, I can tell you, some kids just get sicker than others and more often. Some catch everything that comes along, others don't. When I started first grade, my sister was at home, not in any school yet. Kids in my class would get sick and I wouldn't, but my sister would catch it from me somehow every time. She still gets sicker and more often, as do her kids than any of the rest of us.

Kids are exposed to more illnesses at school and home where there's a lot of close contact than they are in a park or in a mall or any public place touching something that someone who coughed in their hand may have touched.

The absolute best thing you can ever do is wash hands before meals. Also getting plenty of rest is important. Protecting children from every germ actually hurts them in the long run as their immunity won't be built up and they'll end up catching everything that comes along when you aren't there to protect them (like in school) since they haven't been exposed in the past.

GRAYWIFE

12-12-2004, 05:31 PM

I had heard that on the news over a year ago and our doctor said they were safe for limited use during the first days of the cold but that so many people were using them constantly to keep from getting a cold and those people were having temporary sense of smell issues. It works for us and if it were truly harmful I would hope they would have pulled it already!!!

But thanks for the heads up!!

steen995

12-16-2004, 01:46 AM

Well, we survived our trip! The worst that happened was my youngest (1-1/2) got diarrhea one day at Epcott. Went through two outfits but fortunately it was warm enough that I could wheel him around naked until I found him a new t-shirt. We have character pictures with him in a diaper and t-shirt :earboy2: I'm thinking it was probably too many french fries. We really tried to use the hand sanitizer alot and wiped down the tables with antibacterial kitchen wipes, since the baby liked to lick the tables.......

Of course the morning after our return plane ride home my youngest woke up with a fever that he had for two days. But hey, we were home already. :D

Also, they were totally wonderful at the baby care center. I also stopped in at the first aid center there at Epcott to see if there was anything I could give him. They were wonderful and gave me the # to a local pharmacy that takes prescriptions from out of state physicians. Since he was too young to take the Kaopectate they had on hand.

And before anyone says anything, if I had felt he was contagious I would have left he park immediately. Just too much apple juice and french fries. :flower:

minkydog

12-16-2004, 11:17 AM

I am amazed, though not surpirsed, at how many people use herbs from the health food store. I almost never use medicine on my kids, or herbs either. Usually I just opt for time & "mother-care". I do feel more comfortable with drugs that I know have been tested and regulated. I want to KNOW what I'm giving, down to the chemical compound. How do you know what's in those things and what they are supposed to do? I mean, herbs are still chemicals in some form or the other, but they have no government regulation. How are you supposed to know that they indeed do what they claim? I've seen books touting the wonders of herbal medicine, but it's hard to find good, hard evidence of benefit, other than anecdotal entries ("we tried_______ and it always works for us" is not a scientific statement). And so many of the products marketed are really beneficial to the sellers pocketbook! Whatever happened to chicken soup, clear liquids, a humidifier and a day off from school??

Cathy--getting Curiouser and Curiouser

kkcolton5

12-16-2004, 11:35 AM

Cathy, most herbs have been used for hundreds and some for thousands of years. Herbs are commonly dispensed by physicians in Europe. I don't trust the government to tell me what's safe! I do my research and I'm completely comfortable with herbal medicine because I've experienced it working in myself & for my family & friends. Of course, I'm not an idiot...I DO use allopathic medicine ("regular" medicine) for certain things, but what's better than chicken soup and a day off from school is prevention!!

emmabelle

12-17-2004, 03:24 PM

We leave for Disney in eight days and both kids have come down with colds today (there 12 and 14). I'm actually glad because now they'll be healthy by the time we leave. I'm trying my own lab experiment with Airborne. My 14 yr old is taking it but my 12 yr old won't try it, so we'll see just how effective it is. :earboy2:

bdcp

12-19-2004, 08:44 AM

As to herbs and other "Natural" medications, you have to be just as careful with them as "prescription" or OTC drugs. I hate to tell you, but a lot of drugs are made from natural ingredients too. The FDA usually tests for side effects for all ages. Some "herbs" that are safe for adults may not be safe for children. Just like regular OTC or prescription drugs. I wouldn't necessarily trust research done on the internet or from other sources either as they can just be one persons' or small groups opinions. At least the FDA uses labs and control groups. Also, all medications, including natural ones have side effects for someone. Aspirin is made from the bark of a tree, yet it's seen as a drug, not a natural medication. That's just one example. Too much prevention as I said earlier can also work against you as children protected from everything will have immunity to nothing and will get sicker and more often once they are exposed to illnesses in school. And a cold, whether treated or not, lasts about 7 days. You can minimize the symptoms, but not cure it.

The fact is, children do get sick and sometimes we have to alter our plans. We gave up a day in WDW on the last full day there when my oldest son was almost 6 since he had diarrhea and a fever. Taking him out wouldn't have been fair to anyone. Oh well, that's life. A percentage of kids are going to get sick everyday and sometimes it happens to fall during your vacation.

minkydog

12-19-2004, 01:13 PM

As a triage nurse I talk to parents nearly every day whose children have come down sick while on vacation. It always surprises and slightly horrifies me that the parents get so upset and adamant that "something be done to get rid of this." Here's a News Flash: Kids get sick, whether they are at home or at Disney. Sometimes there is nothing you can do but stop and re-group for a few hours or a few days. While it is unfortunate if the child is suffering a painful ear infection or comes down with chicken pox, those things happen. It's a short-lived inconvenience, not leukemia.

When we go on vacation I pack our medicine box with something for fever/pain, something for allergy, something for cough, bandaids and a thermometer. You can deal with about 90% of the illnesses children will have with just those few things. Everything else probably needs to go to Urgent
Care.

Cathy

crazymomof4

12-19-2004, 06:32 PM

I agree that you have to be just as careful with "Natural" remedies as you are with OTC or prescription meds. That being said, here is my advice bourne out of both education (I'm an RN) and 16 years of mothering.

Any doctor will tell you that OTC and even prescription meds for colds (and other illnesses caused by viruses) only cover up the symptoms once you are already sick. They don't do anything to prevent sickness and they don't help get you better once you are sick. I opt for prevention and helping your own body's natural defenses get rid of the "bug" (virus or bacteria).

My family uses Echinecea at the first sign of illness. My teens take the adult caps. For my DD4 and DS8 I use the children's drops that I found at the health food store. I only use it for sickness not on a regular basis.

Also, vitamin C through the winter months especially. There are many brands specifically made for kids. Some are in a gummy candy like form. Look for one with bioflavanoids.

Also, at the VERY FIRST sign of illness we pop 4-8 tiny oscillococcinum pellets under our tongue. This homeopathic med is widely used in Europe. It boost your immune system so it can fight off infection. It's sweet so I have no problem getting my kids to take it. I can't tell you how many times my children have said, "My throat feels scratchy" and I gave them this once or twice and it's gone....never developed into an illness.

mulanrouge

12-19-2004, 08:40 PM

Not sure if they have it in the States (I am from Canada), it would only be good for adults, but I swear by Cold FX. It is a capsule that you take 3 - 3 times the first day, 2 - 3 times the second day, and on the 3rd day you take 1 tablet - 3 times. I usually only have to take it for the first day and I am cured. It has "saved" me from a miserable cold on more than one occasion. Please note: Only adults can take it (or the bottle says 12 and over)!!

seashoreCM

12-24-2004, 11:50 AM

Time to get rid of the communal towel that hangs on the refrigerator handle or the bathroom door. Each person should have his own towel, or use paper towels.

(Does not work for children or on airplanes) I am told that your chances of catching a cold are greatly reduced if you stand up and keep a distance of something like 38 inches when talking to somebody. If that person moves closer, back off, repeatedly, indefinitely if needed. <small>Don't give in on this one.</small>

Persons with a cold also tend to sweat more as well as feel tired more quickly. If your child is sick at WDW and is sluggish, slow down and let him choose the family's walking speed.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Last trip: Jan '05, Pop Century
__________________________

<small>When you reach someone's voice mail are you often guilty of sending an empty envelope?</small>

Buttercup26

12-27-2004, 03:44 PM

Best tips for reducing illness on vacation:
REST - don't overdo it, lack of sleep lowers your body's natural defense to illness
WASH HANDS - sing Happy Birthday while washing to be sure of a good wash
PAPERTOWELS - sharing towels shares germs too
HAND SANITIZER - use often, especially before eating
BOTTLED WATER - the different water often upsests childrens digestive systems
LYSOL WIPES - use everywhere, hotel room, counters, bathrooms, etc...