Immune System... Keep it healthy!

[DebbieB]

Don't lick the bus poles.

Now that you mention it - I did get ring worm on my forearm one time at WDW. I'm convinced it came from my arm being wrapped around a bus pole while standing on a bus. The spot on my arm was right where it would have touched the pole.

 

[Suellen]

Bet she licked the bus pole LINK

No ~ just kidding. What is it about Disney World that makes my kids want to lick EVERYTHING! It is so embarrassing and very disgusting.


And who got swine flu at Disney? The kids of said pole licking? No ~ husband.

Maybe licking the poles helps you build up immunity. Who knows!

 

[stackyallred]

Put a small amount of Vaseline right around the inside of your nostrils in a circular motion with a q-tip. Supposedly, this keeps your nose moisturized and reduces the ability for bacteria to "set up camp." I actually got this tip on the boards when I was pregnant and travelling when H1N1 was first scaring everyone. I used the tip and never got a cold on our two week-long trip. (I'll never know if it actually stopped it but I've used this tip often since and seemed to stay healthier) It did not however stop the morning sickness lol!

 

[jmm476]

I take airborne a few days before the trip, and so far it's worked for me. Also helps me get over colds quicker when I do catch them. I like the pink grapefruit flavor the best, although none of them are exactly tasty.

 

[TakeMe2Disney]

I've also heard uping the Vitamin D is a good idea. That and making sure to drink plenty of water.

And stay away from the Beverly.

 

[DisMN]

I travel alot for work, plus vacation travel and don't take any precautions and am rarely sick. I don't even wipe down the room or take the comforter off! And I use the remote .

This is me. I think continued exposure to other people and germy areas helps build and maintain our immunity.
Well before a trip I make sure I get out and about to make sure my immune system is strong and healthy. I'd suggest that everyone do this as a way to avoid vacation illness. (obviously it's not 100% but it helps I think)

I learned from my chiropractor that Vitamin D boosts your immune system. He said to take 3-4 of the 1000 mil. ones a day when you are fighting something off or going to be exposed to stuff.

I think this is important as well. For a few years now I've been supplimenting my diet with calcium/vit D and have had several trips where I didn't get sick at all...not even that small airplane induced cold I always always always got WHILE we were on vacation. LOL

Don't lick the bus poles.

Or should I say

 

[MikeinBoston]

Starting about a month before I travel I take a 1000mg vitamin C drink mix packet (mix it into any drink), twice a day

 

[holcomb-mania]

Hand washing is a must. I'm almost at Lady Macbeth levels.

Exercise also helps, IMO. I don't have any clinical evidence, though.

 

[branv]

If you're prone to allergies, start using a neti pot. It will help keep you from getting a sinus infection before your trip. I also take a saline nasal spray for the airplane. I always feel so worn out after a trip b/c my sinuses (and subsequently, throat), etc are dehydrated from that canned air. I've noticed that drinking lots of (bottled!) water on the flight and using that saline spray really helps keep me feeling refreshed. Works on a long car trip too

Other than that, I agree with PP. Chuck the hand sanitizer and wash your hands like it's going out of style.

Oh yeah, and don't be like me: a week before our trip we tried a new restaurant. I said, "Chicken liver spread for bagels?! I've never tried that. Sounds oogy, but I'm game!" Yeahhhhh...missed half of our first trip. Be adventurous some other time

 

[Pineapple Whip]

don't use hand sanitizer, it weakens you immune system. Exposure to germs and bacteria is what builds up your immune system. Stay away from the sanitizing wipes for shopping carts and the hand sanitizer. Wash with soap and water before you eat, that's really all you need to do. Your body will build up a resistance if you give it a chance.

So lick the bus poles.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Don't go with me!! That's the best tip I can give anyone, I get sick every other trip to WDW, last week I had sinus infection and bronchitis the whole time, but Dr says I picked it up at home before we left. Ironically when I go during normal flu seasons or during the H1N1 phase I didn't get anything.

I have done the whole practicaly bathe in anti bacterial stuff, clorox down everything, take vitamins and zinc drops, etc and got sicker than I have ever been in my entire life about 5 years ago down there, so I gave up on all that junk and don't do anything different. If I'm giong to get sick, I'm going to get sick, I just need to face it. Make sure and take your insurance cards with you, get info on a local urgent care (Disney has shuttles to many for free) and take the number for Turner drugs (they deliver to all the resorts).

 

[imp&pixie]

I am a huge fan of Airborne! Anytime I begin feeling under the weather I will take some and I instantly feel better. I always bring it on trips with us and give everyone a dose every day to keep our immunities up.

 

[robsmith1098]

Hi SDSorority, we use an alcohol-free hand sanitizer (has lotion in it, too) and some other products. I'll send you a PM with more info.

Rob

 

[GatorLady]

Hand washing is a must. I'm almost at Lady Macbeth levels.

Great analogy.

Out darn'd spot!

I'm a bit religious with the hand washing too.

 

[roobug]

We drank lots of water, and made sure that we got our Vit D leading up to the trip and during the trip. I have twin toddlers who yeah decided that they needed to lick or suck on EVERYTHING, and we only had one illness during/after our trip, and that was an ear infection that had probably started before our trip.

We don't use hand sanatisers and try to avoid anti bacterial anything. We washed the boys hands whenever we could with soap and water - the best thing!

 

[bluejasmine]

Ok great.. no pole licking lots of vitamins (bought them today) use hand sanitizer and listerine alot..Lots of water and rest..I can do that!

Both my teens have come home from school the past two days, I took them right to the dr and he gave them zpacs and I bought multivitamins for DH and I and we agreed to start using hand sanitizer here at home and at WDW to keep from getting sick on our dream vacation next weekend..

 

[Letterhead]

Take advantage of the delicious apple slices available in the parks. "An apple a day..." etc.

 

[Iott Family]

Don't lick the bus poles.

Too funny! Our youngest would do stuff like this. Thankfully she is 4 now and not as inclined to do such icky things~!

The things we say to our kids!

 

[Iott Family]

It's also a good idea to make yogurt a part of your diet, especially before a vacation. The bacteria in yogurt can be a big hedge against stomach bugs. You don't have to gorge yourself, just a small helping each day. My Dad was stationed in Japan in the 50s and due to the Japanese farming practices at the time they were ORDERED to eat yogurt every day to protect against stomach bugs....back then they didn't have tasty yogurt like we do now, he said it was gross but it DID work.

The BEST advice however is to keep your hands away from your face....don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

The kids and I take a probiotic daily. This is the same as the whole eat yogurt thing and it does work!

 

[starbox]

Teach public school!