Avoiding germs on the flight?

[Jestocost]

I travel a lot and used to worry about this all the time until I found a solution that really puts my mind at ease.

It's bed bug proof too.

 

[crashbb]

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.

It can if you don't read the directions (okay, it only hurt his ego).

I was traveling with a colleague and he popped one in his mouth (instead of dissolving it in a some water). He was frothing at the mouth. I still mock him.

 

[robsmith1098]

We use an alcohol-free hand sanitizer with lotion in it. Also use probiotics daily.

Jonell - I'll send you a PM with more info.

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

I have one. I have it in my carry-on whenever I fly, and I have not had any issues.

I am not a germ-a-phobe at all. I don't go crazy using hand sanatizer, and I even give my doggies smooches. But I still like to spray down the tv remote when we get in our hotel room. That thing is nasty!

 

[DebbieB]

I have one. I have it in my carry-on whenever I fly, and I have not had any issues.

I am not a germ-a-phobe at all. I don't go crazy using hand sanatizer, and I even give my doggies smooches. But I still like to spray down the tv remote when we get in our hotel room. That thing is nasty!

I would think wipes would be more effective than spray. Wipes can be taken in carryon.

 

[crazedprincess]

Check out and research the huge benefits of Vit. D.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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

However you protect him at home, use the same procedure away - and everybody is right. NO SPRAYING ANYTHING on the flight. No strongly-scented wipes, either, unless you charter a private plane.

As for the remote? If it's an issue for anyone, bring a zip-top plastic bag and place the remote in there (holding it with a tissue, of course ). It'll operate fine.

 

[mdsoccermom]

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

The OP says they OD on hand sanitizer. Far cray from washing your hands before eating or after using the bathroom. Personally, I prefer soap and water and only use hand sanitizer when absolutely necessary, i.e. after using a portable toilet at a soccer game.

 

[hookedondizney]

I say "just don't go!"

 

[chrisn]

I agree with most everyone...no way to prevent coming into contact with germs. You just have to hope your immune system is strong enough to fight them off.

Having said that. I LOVE Wet Ones Anti-bac wipes (in the yellow package). They are wonderful! They have a light fresh scent and are complete non-sticky. I take them in my bag on the flight and wipe the tray and seat handles, because lets face it, there are tons of people who don't wash their hands after using the restroom! I also use them to wipe down the remote, light switches, doorhandles, toilet flusher, and sink handles in our hotel/condo. It makes me feel better to do this..like I said, some people are less than cleanly. I hate Lysol, contaminates our lungs. I do use anti-bac gel only IF I can't get to soap and water. I also take the wipes to the parks in the mini backpack. They really help with grimy hands in between hand washings. But good old fashion hand-washing is always the best course of action!

 

[goofy4tink]

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?

Over 30+ trips to WDW...only once did anyone get sick while there..and I still don't know if my dd picked something up at home, on the plane, or at WDW. We dealt with it, she got better.

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

I have friends that are huge hand sanitizer people. Am I? No. Do I carry it? Yes.


Okay everyone...there are germs out there. Germs on a plane are nothing I worry about. Germs in my room are nothing I worry about. Why??? Because I can't prevent anyone in my family from picking up a germ in the parks. Truly...have you watched other guests and railings in the attraction que's??? Much nastie than any plane or resort room.
Really....wash your hands with hot, soapy water, several times a day. And of course, after using the restroom. Other than that...not much need for anything else.

Do all of you sanitize before going to Wal-Mart? Or the grocery store? Or to even Macy's??? There are germs. If we don't pick some up, our immune systems become deficient and can't deal.
All those antibacterials and sanitzers are doing a fair amount of harm.

I realize that we all spend a lot of money on our vacations. And we all want to stay healthy, especially on vacations. Just follow normal everyday routines..lots of good sleep, good healthy food, plenty of water..you'll be fine.

 

[summerrluvv]

I load up on the vitamin D a few days before and I always wipe down EVERYTHING around us on the plane with clorox wipes. I also close the air vents. It helps.

 

[Jonell]

I load up on the vitamin D a few days before and I always wipe down EVERYTHING around us on the plane with clorox wipes. I also close the air vents. It helps.

Thanks, Summer. These are good tips.
I don't understand when trying to prevent the spread of germs became such a bad thing. My husband is immunosuppressed and my son likes to touch everything then his face or put his hands in his mouth. Also he is homeschooled so he's not around alot of people being exposed to different germs. This will be our first time to fly so this is why I'm asking for tips. No, I'm not going to spray everyone down on the plane with lysol , but I do believe in hand sanitizer and Germ X wipes.

 

[maxiesmom]

Having someone in your family with an immune disorder makes this a whole different ball game, imho.

There have been studies that show the tray table is the germiest thing on an airplane. Make sure you wipe it down well. I have seen people place some sort of cloth or blanket on the seats, if you want to do that. And if your husband wouldn't be too embarrassed, maybe get him to wear a face mask. When the flu was going around, I saw a few people on airplanes with them on.

If your husband would like a drink on the plane, buy your own after you get thru security. Don't get anything on the plane that has ice in it. I've read that can be a bit icky too.

You ask why trying to prevent germs is a bad thing. You system needs to fight off a few germs now and again to keep it in fighting form. Kind of like how if you jog, how it gets easier the more you do it. It is easier for your system to fight off the really nasty bugs if it is used to fighting off small bugs. But if you have a system that has never seen a bug before, it will not be equiped to deal with a bad bug.

 

[livndisney]

I load up on the vitamin D a few days before and I always wipe down EVERYTHING around us on the plane with clorox wipes. I also close the air vents. It helps.

Please make sure before you start wiping everything down with clorox wipes that you are not going to be causing a breathing issue for someone around you.

 

[summerrluvv]

Please make sure before you start wiping everything down with clorox wipes that you are not going to be causing a breathing issue for someone around you.

Never occurred to me to ask and I probably never will. Clorox wipes are not very strong. They aren't straight bleach. No worse than an antibacterial wipe (which I have also used to wipe stuff down). Close quarters like that, people coughing and sneezing and touching things...sorry, will continue to wipe my area down! Especially after I got VERY sick and had to visit the ER from a flight about a year and a half ago, around the time the swine flu was going around.

 

[summerrluvv]

Thanks, Summer. These are good tips.
I don't understand when trying to prevent the spread of germs became such a bad thing. My husband is immunosuppressed and my son likes to touch everything then his face or put his hands in his mouth. Also he is homeschooled so he's not around alot of people being exposed to different germs. This will be our first time to fly so this is why I'm asking for tips. No, I'm not going to spray everyone down on the plane with lysol , but I do believe in hand sanitizer and Germ X wipes.

It's NOT a bad thing. It just so happens that on the internet, some people will just say ANYTHING to be argumentative with others. Unfortunate, but true!

 

[livndisney]

Never occurred to me to ask and I probably never will. Clorox wipes are not very strong. They aren't straight bleach. No worse than an antibacterial wipe (which I have also used to wipe stuff down). Close quarters like that, people coughing and sneezing and touching things...sorry, will continue to wipe my area down! Especially after I got VERY sick and had to visit the ER from a flight about a year and a half ago, around the time the swine flu was going around.

Wow.

To someone with a chemical allergy/sensitiviie they ARE worse than an antibaterical wipe. They will cause coughing and sneezing and impact the ability to breathe.

 

[livndisney]

It's NOT a bad thing. It just so happens that on the internet, some people will just say ANYTHING to be argumentative with others. Unfortunate, but true!

Very true! Sadly it is not just on the internet. We live in an "it's all about me" and "I can do what I want with no regard to others" society.

 

[canopynut66]

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

I do wipe off the arms and food tray with Lysol wipes and then once in resort do we do the phone and door knobs and sink and tub and toliet seats. we wipe out the drawers and the remote is always nasty no matter where we have stayed. Just extra precautions we take. and ALWAYS washi our hands. Have to laugh though as my work had a lady come that gave us all a two hour seminar on health precautions and how important to wash our hands after bathroom breaks and before we eat etc. well two of my co workers and i were in restroom and this"speaker" was using the bathroom----heavy duty--- and came out left the restroom and NEVER washed her OWN hands. we laugh about that to this day. she was dressed to the nines in her high dollar clothes and yep she walked right out the door dirty hands and all.