Avoiding germs on the flight?

[Jonell]

We are flying to WDW in a couple of weeks. We have always drove in the past. Any suggestions how to avoid picking up germs on the flight? We use hand sanitizer like crazy and I spray the hotel room with Lysol when I arrive. I've had a sick child while at WDW and I am concerned about him picking up something on the flight. Thanks

 

[beachbunny]

Don't spray Lysol on the plane. The smell will linger and everyone will hate you.

If it's a short flight, especially a flight that isn't serving a meal, I don't bother to do anything. Think of it as a bus ride and wash your hands when you get off.

For long flights, when I remember to bring it with me, I use anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down the armrests, fold-out table and remote control.

As far as catching something, you can only do the best you can given the fact that you're in a small enclosed area and the air is constantly being recirculated.

Also, don't use the pillows and blankets (unless the blanket is in a sealed plastic bag indicating that it has been recently cleaned). They re-use these without cleaning for a LONG TIME and I've seen some people blow their noses on the blankets, etc. These go straight into the overhead compartment. For long flights, I bring my own blanket and neck support.

 

[DebbieB]

Most airlines do not have blankets & pillows anymore on domestic. The only suggestion I've heard is to close the air ducts above your seat. Stay out of the restroom if possible (those are gross).

Your child will be exposed to germs all over WDW. I've heard the more precautions you take, the more likely you will get sick. You need to build up immunity.

 

[Huff]

I fly often and my bodies immune system works the best! Honestly, if you are prone to catching something from others then WDW with huge crowds, lines etc would not be the best place to be! The airplane would be better!

It's also my opinion that excessive use of anti-bacterial lotions reduces the bodies natural immunity the same way excessive antibiotics in general do.

If you see someone coughing, hacking sneezing like crazy on the plane ask the flight crew if they could be moved away from others or if you can move. Otherwise enjoy the flight!

 

[Alexander]

Your child will be exposed to germs all over WDW. I've heard the more precautions you take, the more likely you will get sick. You need to build up immunity.

I fly often and my bodies immune system works the best! Honestly, if you are prone to catching something from others then WDW with huge crowds, lines etc would not be the best place to be! The airplane would be better!

It's also my opinion that excessive use of anti-bacterial lotions reduces the bodies natural immunity the same way excessive antibiotics in general do.

Honestly, you need to be exposed to some germs in order to build immunity. I know having a sick child is the pits, but you've got to let them catch some viruses so they build resistance to them. The more anitbacterial stuff we use, the less effective medications become because we are making the viruses stronger and more resistant. It is unlikely you will catch anything serious or life threatening on an airplane.

 

[crashbb]

Just pointing out (since you don't normally fly) that the TSA rules state that you cannot take Lysol spray in your luggage (carry-on OR checked luggage). As with all TSA rules, enforcement is hit or miss.

I have never heard of asking if someone else can be moved because they are sneezing/coughing and would think it extremely rude if someone did so. Asking to be moved yourself, is an entirely different matter (with full flights these days, it may not happen though).

 

[robinb]

Honestly, if you are prone to catching something from others then WDW with huge crowds, lines etc would not be the best place to be! The airplane would be better!

This.

The short answer is that you can't avoid germs because they are everywhere. Simply take the basic precautions of washing your hands and keeping them off your face (out of your eyes, nose and mouth) and you should be fine. Don't worry. Be happy. Don't soak yourself in antibacterial products. It doesn't help your immune system.

 

[Lowillian]

I am a organ transplant recipient and have a compromised immune system. My husband and I go to WDW once or twice a year. We fly out of Baltimore. I have never gotten sick while at WDW or on a plane. I make sure I wash my hands before I eat and as a PP stated, I try to keep my hands away from my face and eyes. I try to avoid holding on to hand rails and when I have to touch something like that, I try to hold my jacket over it so my hands don't touch it (I'm always cold on the plane and airports). I don't use hand sanitizer, just plain old soap and water. I've been very lucky so far!

 

[Jonell]

Is there anywhere at WDW to buy Lysol? I have to spray the hotel room.

 

[Hannathy]

Is there anywhere at WDW to buy Lysol? I have to spray the hotel room.

Why?

You aren't going to be exposed to any more germs (actually less) in your hotel room than you are going to be in the food court, lobby, buses, parks, restaurants. Why single out this area to kill all the good germs along with the pitiful few bad ones you will kill.

 

[alwaysmom]

Just pointing out (since you don't normally fly) that the TSA rules state that you cannot take Lysol spray in your luggage (carry-on OR checked luggage). As with all TSA rules, enforcement is hit or miss.

Is there anywhere at WDW to buy Lysol? I have to spray the hotel room.

Lysol has a travel size that fits into the 3-1-1 category. I've never had a problem bringing it in my carry on or checked luggage. You can get it in the travel size bins at Walmart.

 

[Tara]

Do people take extra precautions at the grocery store or Target or movie theaters or restaurants? We're all typically in those places far more often than any of us are at Disney or on vacation in general.

I remember an episode of Oprah a long time ago where someone tested all these items we commonly come in contact with and the one that had the highest concentration of fecal matter was grocery shopping cart handles.

OP, if you've had a sick child at Disney, what makes you think that illness was contracted AT Disney? As for how to avoid picking up germs on the plane, don't touch your hands to your mouth, eyes or nose and don't eat without washing your hands first. It's pretty simple.

 

[alwaysmom]

Remember when people swore by "Airborne". I have friends who still take it before flying and my mom insist she take hers while we are waiting to board. Can't hurt.

 

[crashbb]

Lysol has a travel size that fits into the 3-1-1 category. I've never had a problem bringing it in my carry on or checked luggage. You can get it in the travel size bins at Walmart.

As I said, the rule is not always enforced but aerosol is clearly banned by the TSA for both carry on and checked luggage.

The issue isn't that it is liquid, the issue is that it is an aerosol container, so the 3-1-1 rule is moot.

Lysol wipes are fine in either carry on or checked luggage.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Flammable Items Carry-on Checked
Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) No No

"Personal care" means that you spray it on your body/hair.

I have seen them removed many times.

 

[alwaysmom]

As I said, the rule is not always enforced but aerosol is clearly banned by the TSA for both carry on and checked luggage.

The issue isn't that it is liquid, the issue is that it is an aerosol container, so the 3-1-1 rule is moot.

Lysol wipes are fine in either carry on or checked luggage.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Flammable Items Carry-on Checked
Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) No No

"Personal care" means that you spray it on your body/hair.

I have seen them removed many times.

Valid point!!

I bring it mostly for DS & DH shoes (Stinky). I do bring wipes also.

 

[Jonell]

I don't have any PROOF that my child got the virus from WDW I assume he did because everyone at the ER was vomiting when we took him there and a CM at AKL told me numerous people where sick there with the same thing. And why and I getting some not so nice responses for trying to keep my family healthy on a vacation that we're paying thousands of dollars for?

 

[POOHsie]

... And why am I getting some not so nice responses for trying to keep my family healthy on a vacation that we're paying thousands of dollars for?

Because what you are trying to do is futile. There are germs everywhere. You can't keep germs away by extra sanitizing one small area that concerns only a few hours of your day. What about the rest of the germs in the rest of the places you go the rest of the day.

Better advice was just given to you by a previous poster: Wash your hands frequently and work on not touching your hands to your mouth and eyes. When hand washing was focused on at some US schools, the sickness rates there went down by quite a bit.

 

[DisMN]

Might I suggest instead of the Lysol and other attempts to avoid germs that a few weeks/months before your trip you all start taking a suppliment or two that will help build your immunity and maybe even get more exposure to people than you usually do....all in an effort to build your immunity for when you go to WDW.

Have a great illness-free trip!

 

[superdiz]

Wow, lots of people advising against hand sanitizer. Interesting...

Hand sanitizer and soap and water are absolutely necessary when going on a flight, in a restroom, to a store, etc. This does not DECREASE your immunity in any way, shape, or form. It protects you against getting various bugs lurking on things. Yes, if you get a cold from an airborne bug, or perhaps food poisining as sounds like the case with your son, then that's an entirely different story. But as a nurse I am all for hand sanitation at all times, no exceptions. This will be your best defense in Disney.

I think people are confusing hand sanitizer with antibacterial body soap for total body shower use. In that case, yes, you are killing off normal flora on your body. But hand sanitizer is absolutely mandatory.

Most common colds and flu, aside from foodborne illness, need an incubation period of about 3-7 days before you would see the effects. So if it's a week long vacation, at least you'll get a few good days.

Drink lots of vitamin C, stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet, get some exercise.

The lysol isn't totally necessary though it may give you peace of mind, but if you can't lysol, I wouldn't worry too much over it. Just make sure you wash your hands!! ALOT!

Enjoy your trip

 

[robinb]

Wow, lots of people advising against hand sanitizer. Interesting...

Enjoy your popcorn, but not a single person advised against hand sanitizer. We recommended against antibacterial products up the wazoo and coating every surface with Lysol.

I personally do not use much hand sanitizer. I just never got into the habit and it ends up in the bottom of my bag. I used some on our last trip, but only when it was available at restaurants and then I would remember ... "Oh! Hand sanitizer!". I wash my hands the old fashioned way instead.