Plane travel - Suggestions to keep well?

[nutterbutter2010]

We will be getting on a plane 2 days after Christmas this year. Last year we got on a plane around the same time, and everyone got super sick (though we don't know if it was from the woman hacking up a lung right behind us on the plane, or from the buffets at Disney...). So my questions is, other than sanitizing the plane seats when we get on, and making sure everyone washes their hands and uses hand sanitizer every 10 seconds, is there anything else we can do? I'm mostly concerned about my 3 & 4 year olds. They have had their flu shot, but not H1N1.

Would it be totally crazy if we made them wear medical masks on the plane???


TIA

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by nutterbutter2010

We will be getting on a plane 2 days after Christmas this year. Last year we got on a plane around the same time, and everyone got super sick (though we don't know if it was from the woman hacking up a lung right behind us on the plane, or from the buffets at Disney...). So my questions is, other than sanitizing the plane seats when we get on, and making sure everyone washes their hands and uses hand sanitizer every 10 seconds, is there anything else we can do? I'm mostly concerned about my 3 & 4 year olds. They have had their flu shot, but not H1N1.

Would it be totally crazy if we made them wear medical masks on the plane???


TIA

From what I have read, the masks will not really help, since the H1N1 is not a 'pulmonary' spreading illness (i.e., airborne). The masks could, I guess, keep your children from touching an infected surface and then touching their face (which is how it spreads).

Note: if an infected person sneezes directly on you (or the back of your head) that is not considered 'airborne' since it is the spittal that is hitting you.

Now, if you mean making everyone else on the plane wear medical masks (your last sentence can be taken several ways), then "yes", that would indeed be crazy.

[DVC~OKW~96]

Simply take sanitizing wipes and wipe off the armrest and the trays. Those things never get cleaned. Keep the kids hands clean, and out of their mouths.

Not a whole bunch you can do otherwise.

[NHdisneylover]

To answer your last question--yes I think having the kids wear masks on the plane would be "totally crazy." They are massivly uncomfortable. You are likely to touch your face MORE with the masks on (because they are uncomfortable) which will in turn increase your odds of getting sick (which is the opposite of what you are trying to do of course).

The best thing you can do for the flight is make sure you wash your hands often--especially before eating.

We fly a lot (DH travels every week, the rest of us make around 6-8 round trips per year), yet we are hardly ever sick (though I am the first to admit DD just went through two weeks of H1N1--caught at school where nearly 50% of kids and teachers were out with it in the last month, NOT caught on a plane). I don't think business travellers tend to get sick any more often than those who work in an office. So, I believe most people who get sick on vacation are not really sick because they are in some way exposed to more germs while traveling. I think it has more to do with getting run down so your body cannot fight of any germs you do encounter so easily. Most vacationers spend the week getting too little sleep, and eating far more fat and sugar and far fewer vitamins than normal. Add to that that many people are getting too much sun and too much alcohol and it is no wonder the body gives up

So, my advice is for the vacation as a whole is:
Don't run yourself ragged on vacation. Get enough sleep. Slow down in the parks.
Do not drink or sun yourself to excess.
and
Try to balance the vacation goodies with eating veggies, drinking water, etc.

[nutterbutter2010]

Originally Posted by legalsea

From what I have read, the masks will not really help, since the H1N1 is not a 'pulmonary' spreading illness (i.e., airborne). The masks could, I guess, keep your children from touching an infected surface and then touching their face (which is how it spreads).

Note: if an infected person sneezes directly on you (or the back of your head) that is not considered 'airborne' since it is the spittal that is hitting you.

Now, if you mean making everyone else on the plane wear medical masks (your last sentence can be taken several ways), then "yes", that would indeed be crazy.

That would he hysterical if I stood up on the plane and started handing out masks telling people they had to wear them!!!!

Although truthfully, I'm sure some people would appreciaite it!

[FireDancer]

I usually make sure to take my daily vitamins along with some added C and Zinc the week before travel. I try not to touch anything I don't have to and wash my hands right after getting off the plane.

Other than that there isn't much you can do. The best way to keep the immune system up is to eat right and get your 45 minutes of daily exercise. If it is a weak bug you get your immune system will knock it out. If it is something stronger all you can do is try to avoid it (easier said than done in a plane with recycled air) and have your immune system primed to beat it once you are exposed.

[C.Ann]

Talk about strange timing - LOL.. There was a segment on the news this morning and a doctor was asked this same question - in regards to flying.. Basically what he said is that your "range" of catching the flu and other illnesses on an airplane is the row you are sitting in, the row next to you, the row in front of you, and the row in back of you..

At best, could you try for the front row or the very last row? Wearing masks is not helpful - according to the MD..

Good luck and have a great time!

[bavaria]

Originally Posted by NHdisneylover

So, my advice is for the vacation as a whole is:
Don't run yourself ragged on vacation. Get enough sleep. Slow down in the parks.
Do not drink or sun yourself to excess.
and
Try to balance the vacation goodies with eating veggies, drinking water, etc.

I am NHDisneylover's husband. (well, not really, but I could be... )

Which reminds me, NH I know a GREAT thread we could link about this very subject.

Take the advice I highlighted above. Reading the dining reviews it is no wonder that people feel ill or have stomach upset on vacation, and many of them claim that it was a 'stomach bug' or some other ailment. Most likely it was the body trying to adjust to an unfamiliar series of habits.

[NHdisneylover]

Originally Posted by bavaria

I am NHDisneylover's husband.

David will be so surprised!

[crashbb]

Originally Posted by legalsea

From what I have read, the masks will not really help, since the H1N1 is not a 'pulmonary' spreading illness (i.e., airborne). The masks could, I guess, keep your children from touching an infected surface and then touching their face (which is how it spreads).

Actually, most studies have shown the exact opposite. People touch their face more often when wearing a mask (mainly adjusting it).

I do not see that making your family wear masks will be helpful.

[nutterbutter2010]

Originally Posted by crashbb

Actually, most studies have shown the exact opposite. People touch their face more often when wearing a mask (mainly adjusting it).

I do not see that making your family wear masks will be helpful.

I was really only half serious about the masks, just wanted to see what people though. I've heard that they only help the people who have the flu to not spread it, they don't help people to not pick it up.

Also, I'm just wondering if there is an OTC product like vit C or something for kids to help them fight off colds. My oldest is in school already, and rarely gets sick, but my youngest seems to catch colds easily, poor little thing.


TIA

[james'mommy]

I always take Airborne when I fly. They make it in a kid's version too.