Being sick at WDW

[mickeysgirl17]

I don't know about you guys, but everytime I travel, I get sick. I went to Orlando last year for a wedding and ended up missing the wedding (I stayed in my hotel) because I caught a bad sore throat and high fever. This happens to me everytime I travel and apparently to my 3 yr. old as well. Unfortunately, I want to be positive, but I'm almost sure we'll both get sick for my upcoming Disny Trip in Dec. What would be your suggestions? I'm going to bring medecines with me and take at the first sign of being sick. The worst part is that I have Credit card holds at some of the restaurants and I'll be charged if I don't show.

 

[ladysoleil]

Don't know if it's okay for your 3yo, but I take Zicam at the first sign of a cold/flu and it usually shortens the duration of the illness. It does, however, taste nasty. I've heard some people take that or Airborne (a similar product) right before flying to boost their immune system a bit. I've never tried that personally.

As to other "hints", basic common sense stuff- wash hands frequently while traveling, and always before eating or drinking. Get enough sleep. Eat well-balanced meals. Drink plenty of clear fluids, especially water. Don't lick the remote control at the resort.

The big one, which sounds weird- try to learn not to touch your face. Doing that basically gives the germs a direct and fast way to get in.

I personally am not a fan of attacking everything in sight with lysol or antibacterial products, although I'm sure some folks will advise that. Two reasons I think it's not a good idea is that it helps the germs/bacteria build up resistance, which makes them harder to kill, and second because your immune system likes a workout and keeping everything too clean means you may not be building up the proper antibodies to keep you healthy.

I hope you guys have a happy (and healthy!) trip!

 

[micknpluto]

I would suggest getting PLENTY of sleep! Last year I ended up getting sick and had to see a doctor while I was on vacation (not fun) I lost an entire day at AK. Most of my week was ruined I blame it on lack of sleep. All the times I've visited WDW this was the only time I was sick. I remember the night before we left for vacation not sleeping, I was up for more than 24 hours. Not a good idea.

good luck, take lots of vitimans. you'll be fine

 

[Faerie]

I start taking vitamin C a week before I travel (I love the Halls Vit. C drops) and if I'm flying, Airborne (I ALWAYS get sick after flying and that has helped). I'm getting over a cold now and Zicam worked wonders!

 

[MartDM]

Just adding to the recommendations of Airborne & Zicam and suggesting Cold Eze. I always take Airborne before & after a flight just as a preventative measure. At the first sign of any throat discomfort, I start the Zicam & Cold-Eze lozenges and it usually knocks it right out.

They take up virtually no space in my cosmetics case & I never travel without the three of them!

I agree that the Zicam spray is pretty icky so I use the nasal swabs...no drip, no nasty aftertaste

Also, I do frequently wash my hands & stay well hydrated. I also carry a packet of antibacterial wipes & give the door handles, toilet seats, remote control, and other commonly touched surfaces in the hotel room a quick wipe (although I certainly understand the concerns about over-sanitizing on a regular basis, I don't think that a little germ insurance while in my hotel room on vacation is going to seriously alter either my immune system or the development of superviruses).

 

[Rhongepooh]

We drive when we come down but EVERY SINGLE TIME my oldest daughter goes (now 17) she gets sick. First time deathly ill and ended up at a stat care doctor with the worse case of crop he's ever seen. Now I pack a medicine cabinet EVERYTIME we go. I take asprin, benedryl, nyquel and make sure to get my antibotics (I have a permanet prescribtion due to a health issue) and refill all other meds.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Just in the last few years I have noticed that I get a sore throat and low grade fever often when sleeping in motel rooms. FWIW, this has NOT yet happened at WDW, but has every where else. A portable air purifier is an inexpensive way to ensure that you sleep better and are breathing "good" air.

Also, if you have immediate symptoms while in the parks (nausea, headache, etc) don't hesitate to go to first aid. This is located between Casey's and CP in MK. The people there are super-nice and will dispense OTC meds for you. I know this made a world of difference for my DS on one trip.

 

[helenm29]

Oh, LETS NOT EVEN GO THERE! we've been to DW 6 times and 5 out of the 6 times I have had a cold/flu! it's really hard to walk around the parks, keep up with your hubby and kids and still BREATH! usually I have the cold right before we go so there isn't usually much I can do about it. I've tried every remedy I can find but nothing works. Sometimes we adults just have to let it run it's course but for the little one I'd check with the Pediatrition for suggestions. GOOD LUCK TO YOU and here's a bit of Pixie Dust to keep the BAD things away! Yo Ho! Helen

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I'm going to make sure the whole family gets their flu shots before our trip in December!

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

Just in the last few years I have noticed that I get a sore throat and low grade fever often when sleeping in motel rooms. FWIW, this has NOT yet happened at WDW, but has every where else. A portable air purifier is an inexpensive way to ensure that you sleep better and are breathing "good" air.

Also, if you have immediate symptoms while in the parks (nausea, headache, etc) don't hesitate to go to first aid. This is located between Casey's and CP in MK. The people there are super-nice and will dispense OTC meds for you. I know this made a world of difference for my DS on one trip.

I also end up with a sore throat and low fever when I stay at hotels so I'm wondering where can I get a portable air purifier. Any recommendations? We are leaving in 4 days and I know I'll end up going to Target or Wal-Mart to get last minute items for the trip. Do either of these places have these?
Thanks

 

[mrmagicmph]

I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but, if you DO get sick at Disney with a cold/flu, that sort of thing, there's NOTHING better that I can recommend than the Chicken Noodle Soup from Beaches & Cream over at the Yacht & Beach Club. My dad became EXTREMELY ill while on trip about 11 years ago (we took him to the hospital emergency department at 2am). He "missed" the remainder of the trip, being at the hotel & just NOT well enough to tour at all. The WONDERFUL Mousekeepers sent up soup from B&C daily and it did WONDERS for helping him to improve.

 

[princessgirl2238]

when my family comes down to disney to visit me (and when i was younger on disney vacations) we would always bring bottled water (or go and buy it at the grocery store cause it's way cheeper than buying in the parks) and a can of Lycol; the water at disney (and all of orlando area) is not good and we always end up sick if we drink it (i live and work at disney and i refuse to drink regular water cause i'll be sick for the rest of the day); as soon as we get into our hotel room, we spray Lycol on all the door knobs, table, chairs, dresser, tv and remote, closet, bed- basically every inch of the room cause even though they clean the room daily (unless you are part of vacation club like we are) it still helps increase the cleanliness of the room and lessens the chance of catching something
also, we bring hand sanitazor for while we're at the park and we take an advil (or something similar) every morning before we start to the parks to keep any type of head ache (from loud rides, crying kids, ect) and to help keep any type of symptioms of illness at bay while we're having fun ( cause someone in our family is always sick at disney)
if all else fails and you can't make an ADR, call front desk, explain the situation and try to work from there- they are usually very accomidating with things like illnesses

 

[Harvest02]

I don't seem to get sick on vacation too often, but my DH sure does! We went to Disney in June and he spent a day and a half of our trip in the hotel room resting. At least we stayed onsite at ASMo so I was able to take the kids around on my own. The last two times we have been there, he has been sick. I was sick also once, but we went in January in the middle of flu season! I have been very lucky the last few years on not getting sick very often, even with colds. I suggest drinking plenty of water, taking a multi-vitamin EVERY day, and I also take extra vitamin E. I guess it is suppose to help your immune system. I also exercise on my Nordic-Track or walk/bike outside almost every day, for at least 30 minutes each time. I think those things I mentioned keep you healthy!!!!

 

[O2BNWDW]

were sick on our last trip! UGH! I have vowed airborne before we go for the next trip. This was our 1st time sick on vacation and Thank God for all of the wonderful CM's!

 

[N2THRILLRIDES]

I wanted to thank Ladysoleil for posting information about using Zicam. I was feeling very ill when I read the post and felt like nothing was working for me. I tried Zicam and it worked wonders. In just over two days I feel so much better now. THANKS!!!

 

[Tabetha]

I second the suggestion of Airborne, I've been living on a cruise ship for 4 months now (a germ factory) and I took Airborne religiously when I came aboard. Others in my cast got crazy sick, I was fine.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I also end up with a sore throat and low fever when I stay at hotels so I'm wondering where can I get a portable air purifier. Any recommendations? We are leaving in 4 days and I know I'll end up going to Target or Wal-Mart to get last minute items for the trip. Do either of these places have these?
Thanks

DW purchased ours at Wal-Mart (They get the rest of our money that Disney doesn't get). I am not at home today, so I can't check the make and model. Have a great trip

 

[Whosemom]

Members of my family get the sinus/sore throat thing at hotels as well. We find a benydril at bed time does wonders. I just take half a dose, because a whole dose makes me cranky the next day.

While it doesn't ruin our vacation, we usually have someone come down with stomach flu a few days AFTER an ammusement park. This year we ran a "don't touch the rails" campaign and no one got sick - except sick of hearing dh and I say "don't touch that rail!" GAG - the little ones are just the height to rest their mouths against it. Why, oh why would anyone want to do that?

 

[TaraPA]

Friends of ours had a DD (teenager) who came down with the stomach bug while in MK - they went to first aid & were given a private ride home (she couldn't stop vomiting & was using Disney transportation) - I never asked if they had to pay for the ride - but anyway - has anyone ever encountered this? I worry all the time because DS age 9 gets motion sick - so after a long day in the park, then the bus to the resort - I'm sure at some point we'll have a motion sickness episode! I'd hate to have to ride a full bus back to the resort with a vomiting child!

 

[princess jasmine27]

the last 2 times we have gone to the world my ds has come down with a stomach virus! the last time we were there we were part of a magical gathering and about 3 of the 22 people came down with the virus too. this time i'm going prepared with antibacterial wipes and purell.