Any thoughts on the possible flu virus in the parks?

[seashoreCM]

A big secret to reducing illness is not to touch food with bare hands.

This one is not easy, but if someone ahead of you sneezes, you immediately zigzag off in a different direction for at least twenty feet even if this makes your path much more circuitous.

If someone in your family or party is sick but not bedridden, walk everywhere slower all day long.

If someone is laid up in bed sick, ask about refunds or deleting days on Unlimited Magic passes for both the sick person and anyone needed by his bedside.

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

Once I was in a strange town and asking about a good restaurant. My second comment went something like this:
"I am looking for a place where food is customarily eaten using fork and knife, not with hands or chopsticks."

 

[kilee]

The good news is that Disney will still be there after the cold and flu season is over. Better to be safe than sorry. Zicam is zinc. So you can use cold-eeze or generic zinc lozenges as well (for a little less). They DO work. I just got over 14 days of the WORST cold I've ever had. It wasn't the flu (no fever), but I have never been so sick with just a cold in my life. Well at the first sniffle DS (10) had I started him on zinc lozenges. (alittle expensive at 5-6 a day, but worth it!!), and he never progressed beyond the sniffles (thankfully!!). This is the 2nd time we've headed off a cold in our household w/ Zinc. However, both Zicam or Zinc state on the package they don't work against the Flu.

 

[zaxmom]

We were there December 7th-14th. On the 13th my 3 year old got the flu. I have it now, and let me tell you this is one tough flu. Now that my temp is under 100, I feel on top of the world. It is probably a good thing that you are postponing your trip. Of course, my S#*$ID son was licking the handrails every time we were waiting in line. I have no idea what he was thinking!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We were there Dec. 6-13. We were waiting for our beeper to go off for dinner at the marketplace in Mexico at Epcot. I noticed a 10 year old boy with a terrible cough and runny nose. He picked up and played with every musical instrument for sale on a cart. The recorder went into his mouth! I wouldn't let my children even go near that cart once he left. It was a great opportunity for us to show our children how germs spread. We watched him hack and cough for 10 minutes. His parents were no where to be seen.

At 'Ohanas a mother was telling the hostess that her party needed to be seated quickly because her young daugher was sick and needed to be in bed as soon as possible.

Luckily we didn't get sick but we kept reminding our children not to touch things like handrails etc.

Lori

 

[susie2]

hi, we have just booked to go in dec 04, does orlando have this flu outbreak every year or is this one unusual, we are comming from england and would just like to know what to expect, thanks susie

 

[DebbieB]

It's not just Orlando, it's the entire USA. We've gone the first or second week of December the past 6 years and this was the first time we have noticed so many sick kids and heard about a flu outbreak. From what I've heard on TV, flu season usually starts later in the winter.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

susie2-I think the thread title can be misleading. There is no flu outbreak in the parks that I am aware of. There have just been more cases of flu(a respiratory illness with high fevers and body aches) early on in the US. In fact, if you check this site
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ you will notice that FL has less cases than many states, at this point. If you can get a flu shot next fall, go for it. We get ours in Oct,. though no promises it will work on that years strain 100%. Dec. is a GREAT time to visit WDW!

 

[mousefansmom]

Hi-
Just so everyone who is trying to stay healthy does (stay healthy!), I wanted to offer one quick tidbit of info. Antibacterial hand wipes and gels will kill most BACTERIAS. They do nothing for viruses (Influenza is a virus). To kill both, you need to use a hand sanitizer that has alcohol in it. I use Purell, but there are several other types. Some that are called antibacterial also do have alcohol, just check the labels to be safe! I would also echo the sentiment that frequent and thorough hand washing, healthy eating habits and proper amounts of sleep will do wonders in warding off all of the bugs that are lurking!!

Have fun on your trip!

Mousefansmom
(PS, if you can't tell, I work in the public health field!! :0) )

 

[JuliaPooh]

Thanks to all for these great tips--I'm packing my Lyson. My DD has had a horrible "virus"--sinus congestion, sore throat and coughing. She is much better and is so looking forward to her 16th birhtday on the 30th. I will squirt her hands everywhere we go!!!!

 

[mommie2angels]

I changed the title of my post! I apologize that I worded it wrong and possibly scared anyone. We were in the parks last December and thought it was a wonderful time to go.

This is a very unusual time year for the flu to be so bad. Our family has always gotten our flu shots each year in October because of our daughters medical problems. The current strain of flu that is going around is not covered by the flu shot that our family got in October so we are trying to be extra careful. We are pretty much stuck in our house because the flu is very bad in our area. I am not complaining about this because I would much rather be here than in the hospital with our daughters which ends up happening several times a year. We have come close to losing some of the other special needs children that we are friends with lately because of the flu. We have talked to families that have healthy children that have had a rough time fighting it so I cannot imagine how hard it would be on our daughters.

Again I apologize if I alarmed anyone by wording my post wrong. Thanks again to everyone that gave us information and to those that have given us words of encouragement about our decision. It really helps to read those words when we should actually be packing to leave. Thanks again! Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

 

[Pinnie]

We were at WDW Dec 10 - 14 and in all the many years we have been going down there, I NEVER saw or heard so many sick kids! WHAT are these parents thinking???

In the lobby of the BC, there was a poor child in a stroller that needed to be in BED rather than packed in for a day at the parks. She was coughing and looked feverish to me.

I think those of you who have medically fragile children and are canceling your trips are being proactive and are doing the right thing. Besides, the weather down there right now is chilly and it would be better to put off a trip to a time when it is definately warmer.

God bless all of you and happy holidays!!!

pin

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We were at WDW last week and we only saw one person who was coughing and sneezing. That was on the monorail ride from the TTC to the MK. Otherwise, there wasn't any incident that we saw of anyone looking sick.

But, normal precautions are good to take. I must have washed my hands at least 10 times and tried to make sure that I didn't touch handles in common areas.

The Candlelight Processional at Epcot was most enjoyable. Even though it was chilly Saturday night, it was not downright cold. Most people were dressed appropriately. This week and next hopefully will warm up more. For the rest of the week, it looks like temps will be in the low to mid 70s throughout the day and 50s at night. I believe the colder days are history for the next week to 10 days hopefully.

 

[cheriesam]

I really appreciate everyone's reports but would like to suggest that dringing a lot of water will help avoid sickness.
These sites have suggestions I find helpful.
http://www.flyana.com/sleep.html
http://www1.excite.com/home/info/learn2/learnlets_overview/0,14915,travel,00.html
Have a great trip and stay well!!!

 

[mousefansmom]

Originally posted by cheriesam
I really appreciate everyone's reports but would like to suggest that dringing a lot of water will help avoid sickness.
These sites have suggestions I find helpful.
http://www.flyana.com/sleep.html
http://www1.excite.com/home/info/learn2/learnlets_overview/0,14915,travel,00.html
Have a great trip and stay well!!!

Good Point, Cheriesam, staying hydrated is very important!

Mousefansmom

 

[shortbun]

DS has already had Influenza A. He got it at a national
chess tournament in Chicago. All nine players we sent came
down with the same thing at the same time. Some drove and
some flew. We're headed to WDW in a few days. I'm well aware
of the possibilities and illness we'll face because people refuse
to keep sick kids home. My DSIL runs a pediatric lab and says
hand washing and hydration are the best prevention techniques.
I'm glad so much of the fun is outdoors. We'll focus on outdoor
activities much more this trip and leave the inside lines to most
others. DS is finally learning to keep his hands off railings, walls,
doornobs, elevator buttons and other germ laden things. A week
being very ill taught him that. We're taking hand gel, antibacterial wipes, hand soap and lots of medication. I also bought a whole
flat of water bottles. We plan to stay very hydrated. Thankfully,
we're driving and won't have airports and planes to deal with.
Good luck and maybe we'll see you there!
mimi

 

[Sinderella]

I just heard on one of the news programs that the recirculated air on airplanes runs through a sterlization filter and the air is purified before it comes back out. The news cast said that there should be no germs "airborne" on the plane coming form the ventilation, but plenty to touch, and of course if the person next to you coughs or sneezes on you it too late.

 

[cheriesam]

One of those sites I listed suggested taking a wet hankie to put over your nose and mouth as you rest to keep the air more moist and filter out what might be in the air. We fly out for the World tomorrow night and plan to try it...have a fun trip mimi, and all others once your time comes!!

 

[mommie2angels]

Sunday dd#2 had a very weird day. We thought that she had a stroke of some sort. After talking with the doctors we think it was just a very strange seizure that had a longer affect on her than usual. Monday morning she was better as far as her movements and things she was doing. Then she started having some awful seizures. Not unusual with the rain on it's way.

I called Friday and cancelled our room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Well we decided not to put it off. We kept saying that dd#2's wish from Make A Wish would probably be granted next year. Sunday made us realize just how critical our daughters lives are. DH said God wants us to have a good time and enjoy life with our angels so I say we pray a hedge of protection around them and go. So that's what we are doing. Will ya'll please pray with us? Please pray for their health to be protected. We will definitely take precautions and be very careful. We will use lot of the wonderful tips ya'll have posted here. We always take extra oxygen and will also take the nebulizer/breathing machine.

Pray for a safe trip and a fun time. If the parks are to crowded we can always have fun at the resort. When I called back on Monday to see if our room at the Animal Kingdom was still available I was told it wasn't. They had a room at the Wilderness Lodge. Our favorite! We love being able to ride the boat. It's so much easier with the girls wheelchairs.

Our friend is Goofy at Epcot and will be lighting the tree so we are very excited to be able to see him. Thanks again to everyone for all the advice and support and especially your prayers.

 

[Brier Rose]

Saying prayers for you right now!
Ya'll have a great trip, and a Merry Christmas.

God Bless, and keep you all well and safe.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I admire your strength and determination to live each day to the fullest. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. I will pray you all have a healthy and safe trip. Be sure to tell us all about it when you return.