Airborne for kids before WDW?

[luvallprincesses]

Does anyone give their kids Airborne or DanActive or herbals to boost their immune system (dd10,ds4) to try to keep them healthy before a WDW trip? If so, how far in advance? Has it NOT worked for anyone who has tried?

 

[tiggerrr]

Does anyone give their kids Airborne or DanActive or herbals to boost their immune system (dd10,ds4) to try to keep them healthy before a WDW trip? If so, how far in advance? Has it NOT worked for anyone who has tried?

No for us when we had our nephews (2 & 7) on a trip this past January. http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/04/news/companies/airborne_settlement/

We were WAY more focused on making sure they washed their hands regularly, especially before eating and after washrooms. We had 14 days, with no one sick, in January. Of course, that's just one data point and not proof, but it worked for us.

 

[Robo]

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[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

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Wow. It's not often Robo is reduced to a dash.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I'd say just make sure the kids wash their hands often in the weeks leading up to the trip and on the trip itself. Also a flu shot is suggested. You can get one of those right now.

 

[staceyj2]

Does anyone give their kids Airborne or DanActive or herbals to boost their immune system (dd10,ds4) to try to keep them healthy before a WDW trip? If so, how far in advance? Has it NOT worked for anyone who has tried?

We use airborne before all of our flights to Disney. I have no idea if it helps or not, but so far we haven't gotten sick (knock on wood).

 

[Technosavant]

We use airborne before all of our flights to Disney. I have no idea if it helps or not, but so far we haven't gotten sick (knock on wood).

I've got a great rock that will keep away alligators too. I've carried it all around Florida. Never once been charged by a gator.

I have duplicates I'll sell for $50.



If you want to "boost" an immune system, take vitamin C or lick a bathroom door handle. Either will work. Otherwise, just wash hands and use some sanitizer here and there. No need to waste money.

 

[nytimez]

If you want to "boost" an immune system, take vitamin C or lick a bathroom door handle.

I vote for the vitamin C.

 

[staceyj2]

I've got a great rock that will keep away alligators too. I've carried it all around Florida. Never once been charged by a gator.

I have duplicates I'll sell for $50.



If you want to "boost" an immune system, take vitamin C or lick a bathroom door handle. Either will work. Otherwise, just wash hands and use some sanitizer here and there. No need to waste money.

Was that necessary? I simply commented with my experience. I have never once used my comments on these boards to put someone down or make them feel stupid. I should be given the same courtesy.

 

[Technosavant]

Was that necessary? I simply commented with my experience. I have never once used my comments on these boards to put someone down or make them feel stupid. I should be given the same courtesy.

Look into what Airborne actually IS. It's nothing. It's a gimmick.

If calling it out as the scam it is makes you feel bad, it might behoove you to investigate what it is you're actually putting in your body and why the maker claims it is effective. Personally, I don't find "developed by a schoolteacher" to be a selling point when we're talking health remedies that haven't been proven through evidence based medicine.

 

[nytimez]

Look into what Airborne actually IS. It's nothing. It's a gimmick.

If calling it out as the scam it is makes you feel bad, it might behoove you to investigate what it is you're actually putting in your body and why the maker claims it is effective. Personally, I don't find "developed by a schoolteacher" to be a selling point when we're talking health remedies that haven't been proven through evidence based medicine.

Actually, the science on zinc is pretty good and a recent Cochrane review found zinc can shorten cold duration and severity. I'm sure Google would turn it up -- I think it was earlier this year.

My problem with Airborne is that it's overpriced and overhyped -- and I do think they overpromise in their marketing and throw in a lot of hocus-pocus herbs and vitamins that don't add much, if anything, to the effect of the zinc and vitamin C.

 

[lauralong81]

We do vitamins regularly, on top of making sure they eat healthy (lots of veggies and fruit every day, with milk and 100% juice as oppossed to any soda/kool-aid/etc). Plus, regular washing of hands, hand sanitizer spottting whenever I can remember (whenever we're waiting in line and before snacks) and just basic common sense. I doubt airborne really makes much of a difference, and most definitely doesn't take the place of a good healthy diet and common sense.

Kids and adults are going to get sick, there's no avoiding it. You can do some things to limit your chances, but you're never 100% safe unless you live in a bubble. Just be prepared if it does happen.

 

[matt and beth]

Airborne had to settle with the FTC for false claims for a total of 23.3 million dollars. I would argue that 23 million dollars says it is fake...

 

[caaraa]

Kids and adults are going to get sick, there's no avoiding it.

 

[Forensicmom]

It is just an herbal and vitamin supplement. It doesn't contain any foreign chemicals. There's no scientific proof that it works but if it makes you feel better to take it, go ahead. I've used it before and no one got sick.

My youngest daughter (7) is missing part of her immune system and is an extremeley picky eater and very underweight. So I have to try and get her some protection the best way I can, and that's taking my chances with vitamins and herbs.

I'm finding that there are always going to be rude and ignorant people on every board you go to. Just ignore the incensitive comments.

 

[Alesia]

Was that necessary? I simply commented with my experience. I have never once used my comments on these boards to put someone down or make them feel stupid. I should be given the same courtesy.

Why is it rude to use a humorous comparison to point out that someone is getting ripped off?

The fact is that airborne is basically just vitamins and alka-seltzer. There is absolutely no evidence that it helps the immune system.

OP, instead of wasting your money on products that intentionally mislead customers about their effectiveness, you should concentrate on scientifically proven methods: good general hygiene and, well that's about it, actually. Eating yogurt (it doesn't have to be special, regular yogurt will do) every day can also help keep your intestinal flora at a good level.

Really it's about the things you do on a daily basis that keep your immune system working properly, it does no good to try to "boost" it right before a trip. Our bodies just don't work that way.

 

[chartle]

As always read the labels.

Having more of a certain vitamins than the recommended amount can be hazardous.

At Sam's Club I was reading the nutrition facts for an energy drink mix there. It had over 10,000 % of the recommended amount of vitamin B.

Not sure how much of an issue that is.

Also I read Airbornes FAQ page and it not recommended for children under 12.

 

[nkereina]

Look into what Airborne actually IS. It's nothing. It's a gimmick.

This. It's slightly high in Vitamin C but you are better off just getting Vitamin C tablets, or having your kid drink a glass of orange juice. At least it tastes better than the Airborne.

Also in regards to the flu shot... unless you have a month or longer until your trip, I wouldn't have them get the shot. Too many possible side effects or from the shot. Plus two of the times I got the flu shot, I still got the flu

 

[hops&dreams]

We (DH, DD7, and I) all take Emergen-C every time we fly, and drink electrolyte enhanced water after too (SmartWater or Nuun tablets in bottled water). I don't do well with recirculated air in small spaces for long periods. I get dehydrated and congested. I've found that the 1000 mg of vitamin C helps me fight the congestion, and gives me a little boost of energy.

 

[Technosavant]

Actually, the science on zinc is pretty good and a recent Cochrane review found zinc can shorten cold duration and severity. I'm sure Google would turn it up -- I think it was earlier this year.

Zicam is the one that's loaded with zinc. Unfortunately, such application of zinc can also wreck your olfactory organs. So sure, your cold is shorter, but you're putting your sense of smell (and also taste, since much of what we taste is actually smelled) at extreme risk.

Colds aren't much fun, but I'd rather suffer through it than toast my sense of smell.