Normally not a germaphobe but . . .

[toledo13]

I can't believe I forgot to add this too!! I also take pro-biotics (the good bacteria that live in your belly) every day, and that helps as well. AND I load up on yogurt a few days before too, to get even more.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

I was on the bus to the AK last week and a woman wiped down the seats and the metal hand bar before her family was allowed to touch anything. If you are worried about that it, wiping the bus is probably a good idea!

 

[melisandes]

Being a germaphobe is the new in thing now. Welcome to the club. I knew I was not wierd. I was always just a trend setter hehhe. Seriously though I grew up in a medical family with a dad whose masters is in microbiology. Yeah YUCK. I do not even show my germaphobe side to him cause he will just add gasoline to the fuel.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Umm...I think you have it all just about covered!

1) Huh?
2) You have more a chance in the parks than in the resort.
3) And, all it takes is one touch from a guard rail to your eyes.
4) And, there are lots of other places you can touch,
. . . chairs at restaurants
. . . table sat restaurants
. . . safety devices on rides (bars, safety belts, etc)
. . . the ride vehicle when you grab a handle to get into it
. . . etc
5) And, did I mention,
. . . touching someone's sweaty shirt in front you in a line
. . . someone sweaty touching you from behind in a line
. . . someone bumping you in a crowd while walking
. . . someone jostling you during a parade or fireworks
6) Hey, if you are destined to catch it, you will catch it.
7) Of course, you can stay home.
8) But, then you catch it from your kid who got it at school.

 

[wifey]

Hope that none of you are flying because if you are going to catch anything it is going to be on the plane not your hotel room

That's exactly why I'm taking some antibacterial wipes in ziplock bag in my carry on bag, that way I can wipe down the seats and the arm rests and the backs of the seats in front of us You can never be too careful on a Virgin flight, last time we found sticky patches and sweet wrappers everywhere I dread to think how often the floors are cleaned I will not dare to think how often the toilets are given a thorough clean but they restocked frequently by the cabin crew. Now if only they would fit antibacterial and antiviral air filters inside the planes too......

 

[VBsHustla]

I have a huge phobia of those TV remotes too. Glad I'm not alone! I'm usually concerned about rides, particularly Toy Story, Buzz, and things like that. I wash my hands after I ride those and when I was at Disneyland in the middle of all the reported H1N1 cases earlier this year, I made sure I didn't touch my eyes in the middle of those rides. Another simple thing I do is that I always wash my hands immediately before eating.

 

[Sleepy]

we always take hand sanitising gel since DH and DS both came down with food poisoning on our holiday in 2000.

I can understand your feelings on germs, but food poisoning has nothing to do with germs in your hotel room. It was the direct result of poor food handling in the kitchen or from the place the particular contaminated food came from. In your case, I would be more paranoid with the food handling in the restaurants than how germy the hotel room is.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Good point on buffets. Next trip I will avoid buffets.

Last trip at the Boarkwalk was the worst Mousekeeping ever. She didn't even replace the empty tissues. I don't know what she did really so I just told her not to bother coming on a couple days. Took out the trash myself.

 

[Tink030]

I love all of your ideas!

I NEVER use the comforters on the beds. I'm convinced no hotel anywhere ever washes them. As soon as I get into my room, I fold them, put them in the closet, and wash my hands

I do the same thing, and I ask for more blankets, because my kids, and myself get cold at night, and they want to use the comforters. So that's why when I check in I always ask for more blankets

 

[Dalton5]

Also, Never put your backpack or purse down on the public bathroom floors. We are avoiding buffets because lots of hand touch the serving spoons.

I use a napkin when handling the serving spoons. And don't forget the menus. How many people have handled them and they are never cleaned off.
I always use sanitizer after ordering. I could make myself nuts. Salt and pepper shakers anyone? I just try to do my best to avoid the germs but I know that inevitably a few of the little buggers will slip by. My kids hate when I place the hand sanitizer bottle on the table when we are out.

I can honestly say that I have never put my purse or bag on the floor anywhere. I don't know where those walking shoes have been

Err to the side of caution!

 

[princessmom29]

I am a biochemist woh has done infectious disease research. I konw what it out there and what the dangers are and I can tell you that you are doing more harm than good by continually sanitizing everything you come into contact with. By not exposing yourself to viruses/ bacteria at all your are actually compromising your immune responses. Essentially, without exposure on a regular basis to pathogens you body is unable to build a healthy immune response to them. When you do con into contact with a pathogen your body has no idea how to fight it off and you are much more liley to become ill that someone who has had enough exposure to biuld a an antibody load. It appears to reinforce the beleif that you need tio sanitize everything, so you snitize more, get sick more often, ect. It is an all around bad idea to completely wipe down a room with antibacterials unless someone has been confined to that room with something contagious for an extended peroid of time. I think a PP mentioned this also, but 6-8 hours is the threshold limit for survival of H1N1 outside a host, along with most other common pathogens. So if someone checks out of a room at 10:00am and you don't come back form the parks until 8-9 most likely everthing that had the potential to make you sick in the room is dead.

 

[princessmom29]

Well, I AM a total germaphobe... and this is what I do. (mildly OCD, too... )

Before any trip I take on a plane, I start taking Zinc, Echinacia, Oil of Oregano, and up my Vitamin C intake (by eating oranges and grapefruits, but NOT at the same time I'm taking my pills). I start this about 3-4 days before. I also make sure I get a LOT of sleep.

Before I get on the plane I spray my nose with Saline and if it's a long flight, I'll also do it halfway through. I also drink a bunch of water and hot tea (and potty 15 min. before boarding, or 45 min before departure).

Then, on the plane, I wipe down the armrests, tray tables, belt clips-- anything we'll be touching with the least aromatic disinfecting wipe I can find, as not to disturb others. OH and after EVERYTHING I touch I use hand sanitizer. RELIGIOUSLY.

Ok, so now in the hotel room, I wipe down EVERYTHING with wipes. Everything- including all tables, toilet, sinks, light switches, door knobs, telephone (even if we're not going to use it), drawer handles, curtain pull rods, shower knobs, and anything else that could be touched. I also PUT THE REMOTE IN A ZIPLOCK BAG, and pull down the top cover of the bed.

PHEW, right?! I'm not done.

At the parks, after anything we touch, we use hand sanitizer. We avoid touching doorknobs, hand rails, rides, etc. as much as we can, and if we plan on going on Buzz, TSM, etc (when you have to touch things), you better believe that I pack rubber gloves that we put on.

I told you I was OCD. My mom calls me Monk. Now I'll tell you this- I'm not this crazy at home. It's just that I want to make SURE that I'm healthy for Disney! It's my most favorite thing in the world, and so expensive that I can't just get up and go all the time. I want to make the most of my vacation and feel good and enjoy myself. Going out of my way to take these extra precautions doesn't put me out at all, and I try to keep it from bothering others.

DH used to think I was crazy- and now he joins in . Another convert!!!!

All of those herbals are largely ineffective and can cause dangerous interactions/reactions!!! Bad Idea to "load up" on them. I have seen the research!!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Getting sick is inevitable but we take the normal precautions like washing our hands and keeping them away from our face. We don't do anything before we get on an airplane. The only thing I do is take my Dramamine.

By the time you get to your hotel room you have already come in contact with thousands of germs. If taking all those med's and wiping things down make you feel better, keep doing it. Who am I to say not to do it. We don't go crazy but that's just us. I do however use the zip loc for the remote control. YUCK.

 

[minniebeth]

1) Huh?
2) You have more a chance in the parks than in the resort.
3) And, all it takes is one touch from a guard rail to your eyes.
4) And, there are lots of other places you can touch,
. . . chairs at restaurants
. . . table sat restaurants
. . . safety devices on rides (bars, safety belts, etc)
. . . the ride vehicle when you grab a handle to get into it
. . . etc
5) And, did I mention,
. . . touching someone's sweaty shirt in front you in a line
. . . someone sweaty touching you from behind in a line
. . . someone bumping you in a crowd while walking
. . . someone jostling you during a parade or fireworks
6) Hey, if you are destined to catch it, you will catch it.
7) Of course, you can stay home.
8) But, then you catch it from your kid who got it at school.

I was talking more about the resort room than in the parks...your points for outside in "The World" are correct.

And I know that "over" sanitizing is always not a good thing, but for me it's just more of a peace of mind thing in the room where you sleep and hang out and tend to let your guard down from refraining from putting your hands on your face, etc. Plus, I have a DD with a life-threatening peanut allergy, so I always really clean the room before we relax in it just in case for that reason too.

 

[Miss M.K.J.]

I have to admit that I also take the comforter off the bed. I will not sleep on it--it disgusts me to think about what has possibly went on on that comforter. I do not think they wash them like they should. (Just my opinion) I know that a few posts have said that you shouldn't use so much hand sanitizer BUT if you read online or watch the news that is all they have been telling you to do. I live in Georgia and there has been quite of few cases here so it does have me a little concerned. I have just tried to wash my hands more and not touch my face but that's easier said than done. We are leaving for Disney in two weeks and I am hoping that we don't get sick before we leave or while we are there. My son is in highschool and I know he is tired of me saying WASH YOUR HANDS!!! Me and my family has started taking Vitamin C though. Anyway that's just my input.

 

[minnie_michelle]

Well, I AM a total germaphobe... and this is what I do. (mildly OCD, too... )

Before any trip I take on a plane, I start taking Zinc, Echinacia, Oil of Oregano, and up my Vitamin C intake (by eating oranges and grapefruits, but NOT at the same time I'm taking my pills). I start this about 3-4 days before. I also make sure I get a LOT of sleep.

Before I get on the plane I spray my nose with Saline and if it's a long flight, I'll also do it halfway through. I also drink a bunch of water and hot tea (and potty 15 min. before boarding, or 45 min before departure).

Then, on the plane, I wipe down the armrests, tray tables, belt clips-- anything we'll be touching with the least aromatic disinfecting wipe I can find, as not to disturb others. OH and after EVERYTHING I touch I use hand sanitizer. RELIGIOUSLY.

Ok, so now in the hotel room, I wipe down EVERYTHING with wipes. Everything- including all tables, toilet, sinks, light switches, door knobs, telephone (even if we're not going to use it), drawer handles, curtain pull rods, shower knobs, and anything else that could be touched. I also PUT THE REMOTE IN A ZIPLOCK BAG, and pull down the top cover of the bed.

PHEW, right?! I'm not done.

At the parks, after anything we touch, we use hand sanitizer. We avoid touching doorknobs, hand rails, rides, etc. as much as we can, and if we plan on going on Buzz, TSM, etc (when you have to touch things), you better believe that I pack rubber gloves that we put on.

I told you I was OCD. My mom calls me Monk. Now I'll tell you this- I'm not this crazy at home. It's just that I want to make SURE that I'm healthy for Disney! It's my most favorite thing in the world, and so expensive that I can't just get up and go all the time. I want to make the most of my vacation and feel good and enjoy myself. Going out of my way to take these extra precautions doesn't put me out at all, and I try to keep it from bothering others.

DH used to think I was crazy- and now he joins in . Another convert!!!!

Ok, It made sense until you got the part about the rubber gloves . . .why not just use the hand santizer immediately after getting off the ride?? I don't see how this is any different than holding onto a lap bar. IF I were your kids, I would DIE of embarassment about the rubber gloves, that is being TOO over cautious.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Does anyone else just go on holiday? I have to admit I walk on the carpet with no shoes, don't carry anti bact stuff ever and leave the comforter on the bed and just have a holiday.

 

[princessmom29]

Does anyone else just go on holiday? I have to admit I walk on the carpet with no shoes, don't carry anti bact stuff ever and leave the comforter on the bed and just have a holiday.

That would be me as well because I realize that it really doesn't matter and none of the germaphobic rituals are going to make a difference. Unless you live in a bubble and never go anywhere you are going to come into contact with everything poeple are trying to avoid by disinfecting their rooms, so why bother??? If you are really that afraid your should not be in a public place like WDW, because you are on the order of 10X more likely to be sickened by airborne grems than by contact, and you cannot ask the guy next to you not to breathe. You hear so much about handwashing b/ it really is the only thing anyone can do to attempt to keep from geting the flu, but in reality the transmission rate is at least 90% airborne.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Does anyone else just go on holiday? I have to admit I walk on the carpet with no shoes, don't carry anti bact stuff ever and leave the comforter on the bed and just have a holiday.

I'm like you. I'm probably one of the most laid back people you'll ever meet when it comes to germ phobias. Now food I do obsess over because of food allergies, but the reason we vacation at WDW is because I know I can relax and not worry when we're there.

Plus, I have a DD with a life-threatening peanut allergy, so I always really clean the room before we relax in it just in case for that reason too.

This is TOTALLY different then worrying about germs. It's impossible to tell if somebody put peanuts down on the counter or smeared peanut butter on the comforter. Not cleaning properly from something like this is a REAL life threatening situation for your daughter. IMO this is apples and oranges. I don't see this in any way being like germophobe behaviour. You've seen the life threatening reactions and never want to live through that again.

Before any trip I take on a plane, I start taking Zinc, Echinacia, Oil of Oregano, and up my Vitamin C intake (by eating oranges and grapefruits, but NOT at the same time I'm taking my pills). I start this about 3-4 days before.

I can't believe I forgot to add this too!! I also take pro-biotics (the good bacteria that live in your belly) every day, and that helps as well. AND I load up on yogurt a few days before too, to get even more.

I was glad to see your follow-up post. Make sure you take your probiotics at least 2 hours away from your oil of oregano. OoO is very dangerous if you don't. It kills the good bacteria in your gut along with dangerous stuff which then creates a breeding ground for some pretty nasty and resiliant bacterias which it can't kill. Any yeast that it doesn't kill can also take over. The OoO will also destroy the good stuff in the probiotics which is why you need to take them at least 2 hours apart. The last thing you want is a c diff infection when you go to WDW.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Does anyone else just go on holiday? I have to admit I walk on the carpet with no shoes, don't carry anti bact stuff ever and leave the comforter on the bed and just have a holiday.

I do, too. I just know what kills virus because I work in a hospital. If you wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face, you should be fine.