Being sick at WDW

[Peepster]

I agree with the Zicam/Airborne suggestions. When I was young, a hundred years ago or so, I, too, would continually get sick when traveling. Then I got a job with travel involved and my Doc suggested taking zinc tablets for a week before I headed out and after being exposed to colds,etc. I've been pretty healthy since, even when visiting the World. Zicam, zinc, airborne all boost our immune systems so they kinda work the same.

 

[Swimnoid]

Be sure to get a lot of rest and live healthy (eat good foods, drink a lot of water, etc) BEFORE you go. I used to get sick practically every trip but dont usually anymore. I even had to go to the dentist one year when we were there! But you know how you run around at the last minute making sure everything is all set at home and at work before you go? That's how I got sick.

As for Zicam and the like....for me, it helps make the first 3 dyas lighter and then I get SLAMMED for a longer time than a regular cold would take. I'm just weird I guess.

 

[TENIA66]

Hope things go well for you

 

[lapeen2]

Same thing here! Everytime we we go I catch a cold. I wonder if it could be allergies from a different climate/area? I am just glad this thread came up because I was feeling like a vacation hypochondriac!

 

[mamaprincess]

large doses of garlic tablets are great to take before during and after a vacation. Germs are affraid of garlic also large doses of vitamin c and airborne.

One of my 8 year old twin dd's came down with the flu the day before we left for our last vacation. I gave her garlic tablets and vitamin c every hour and airborne every 3 hours and my 2 year old got vitamin c drops to suck on like candy and more multi-vitamins than normal and the other twin and I took the same stuff the sick twin was taking. When we got to WDW we took large doses of the same stuff in the morning and at night plus multi vitamins. We were all great for the trip.

My manly DH decided that he was man enough to resist the flu and refused to take any preventative sissy stuff. He got sick as a dog.

 

[honeybee30]

I always catch a virus of some sort when I fly, so this time I'm going to take Airborne and load up on echinacea and vitamin c next week before we head down to Florida. A lot of those remedies act as preventatives so it helps to take them in advance of actually feeling bad. For instance, I load up on echinacea before cold season or when other people in my family start getting sick. Also, at the first sign of a sore throat, I take a cold-eze. It really does help.

Last October I got really sick with a cold on the last 2 days of our vacation. I just took lots of Day-quil and hung in there. There's no way I'm missing out on a day at MK for a cold. I can recover when I get home!

 

[codygirl5150]

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!

Start taking vitamin C now! It works to keep you from getting sick by keeping you immune system strong, but once you are sick it will do nothing. Great preventative!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It sucks being sick at WDW. Last month when I was there, I was basically in my room the 2nd week we were there because I was sick. In the past when I was sick I had taken Alka-Seltzer which always had made me feel better in a few hours, this time nothing. I had taken Tylenol did nothing, so we call a doctor to see me. It turns out I had a minor throat infection, he gives me some anti biotics which also did nothing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Germs are affraid of garlic

So are the people who might spread the germs TO you

 

[Clotho]

Oh giiiiiiiirl!
You and I could be sisters! I, too, get sick almost EVERY time I travel. I hate it! I was sick as a DOG on my wedding night (Vegas), and had strep through half of my honeymoon. My first trip to WDW, my dream trip of a lifetime (wanted to go since I was 12, went at 30 for my birthday), I was sick. Last year at Disneyland I got so sick I couldn't talk and slept 10 hours a night. It sucks!

For me, part of it is the build-up to the trip, and then the release that comes from getting to a place where I can really relax and let go. I think all the preparation for me and hubby, all the travel arrangements, and settling business dealings before I go...and then get on a plane where every germ in the world is swirling in really dry air...how can I win?!

So I started taking Airborne this last year when I travel, and it has done wonders. It is, in my opinion, truly the air travel that makes people sick. So you need to take care of yourself there. Keep yourself hydrated, keep yourself bucked up on vitamin C and echinacea, and rest up.

Different remedies work for different people. Zinc never worked for me, but helps my Mom a ton. Echinacea is my savior. FIRST signs of feeling ill (and I mean first--don't second guess, do it!) I take it. Eat first, then load up. I take it in capsule form, and I take four with each meal of the day. Shortens any illness and reduces the symptoms amazingly. I recommend trying it to see if it works for you.

And as a last comment, hubby suggested that when you get about two weeks out from a vacation (if you can spare the additional time off from work, should you need it), seek out someone sick and let yourself catch whatever they've got. Boost your immune system just prior to going, and any illness that seeks you on your trip will have no chance! I am actually intrigued by this idea, and may try it. I am SICK of being SICK on my fabulous vacations!

 

[corbennic]

Its definitley the climate change for me - if I go somewhere thats the same as here I'll be fine.

So I've decided before I go I'll start taking lots of saunas - should be good for heat and humidity?

 

[bab31]

I wash my hands alot. When we are out to eat after ordering, I go and wash my hands. Who knows how many sick people have handled the menus. I always use my own ink pen. I take wipes on the plane and wipe down my tray and arm rest. We take a product called Allimax. It is a high grade garlic and last year when I came back from a vacation everyone I worked with was sick. I started coming down with what they had so I upped the dose and it fought it off. we take that before and during vacation.

I think we all get plenty of exposure from germs. But I am going to take some precautions before and during my trip.

drink lots of fluids!

 

[HOGFAN]

our first trip in 1996. I and DS(who was 3 at the time) both came down with a really bad cold and stomach flu. we ended up staying at the hotel the last 2 days of our trip.

on another trip, I started feeling really bad after eating at the Biergarten. I had the big D for a couple hours.

I try to avoid handrails(despite the instructions on the monorail and take some of that antibacterial hand stuff to use.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Second to Last our youngest got Thrush. It wasn't to bad we wnt to the doctors in Kissame and where back in the parkin the afternoon.
This last trip early August our oldest had a fever third morning.
I wanted to head out to the park but my wife forced us to wait all morning. It was the best idea, by that afternoon(late), she was doing fine.
I learned tha you should not push it, if your sick, just rest and hope it passes.

 

[Clotho]

I just don't think germaphobic practices make that much difference. I mean, honestly, we are exposed to SO MANY germs and viruses every single day, and I don't get sick any more than anyone else...except when I fly. It's that recycled air, I tell ya.

I have never been ocnvinced that wipes and antibacterial gel and excessive washing makes that big a difference. Some, to be sure, but just not enough to be as OCD about it as some people are in an effort to stay healthy.

Besides, your immune system needs a shake-up now and again to keep it going strong. If you were never exposed to illnesses and managed to fight them off, and then found yourself one day vulnerable, you would be sicker than sick once you did catch something. Getting sick now and again makes you stronger!

 

[smnornes]

Last year we ended up at an Urgent Care clinic in Orlando because 3 out of the 4 of us were sick...I had strep throat, DS6 at the time had an ear infection, and DD4 at the time had strep throat AND an ear infection. Not good!
I have rheumatoid arthritis and some of the meds I'm taking supress my immune system, making me more vulnerable to those nasty viruses and infections. We've got a couple weeks to go before we head to WDW again, and I plan to break out the Airborne and vitamins for ALL of us soon! Here's to healthy park hopping!

 

[Glendamax]

I got back a week ago, and now I'm sick. BeforeI left, I started taking Vitamin C. While there, I took a multi with my first meal, and C with my second. I also washed my hands alot. I'm going to note any tips in this thread that may be helpful, because this is AWFUL!