Planes and colds...

[disneynutinpa]

Our past two trips to Disney, I've gotten a bad cold half ways through out trip and I swear it's from the plane ride. A friend of mine said that he starts taking either vitamin C or AirBourne about 3 days before his trips and continues while on the trip. Does anyone have an similar experiences or recommendations to avoid this in a few weeks?

 

[OKW Lover]

You may want to read this article from webmd about airborne. In short, it doesn't work and they had to make millions in refunds for claiming that it did.

 

[suzimar57]

never did like that Airborne - the tablets in water made me gassy....

 

[CinderelliCinderelli]

I had read an article one time that we could almost eliminate the flu if people didn't fly. I bought vacation insurance because I don't want to travel sick nor would I want to give it to everyone else. I hate flying for this reason! I think it is gross to be stuck on a plane with no ventilation and a bunch of sick people ... ick! I was thinking about wearing a mask.. Would people think I was nuts?? I get sick so easily though... It can really spoil a vacation! The only thing that can help you from being sick is to wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, drink lots, and have a good diet. Of course I do all of these and i'm blessed with a bad immune system. I'm going to bring hand sanitizing wipes though.

 

[crash2000]

Our past two trips to Disney, I've gotten a bad cold half ways through out trip and I swear it's from the plane ride. A friend of mine said that he starts taking either vitamin C or AirBourne about 3 days before his trips and continues while on the trip. Does anyone have an similar experiences or recommendations to avoid this in a few weeks?

buy yourself a sars mask, ansd some hand sanitizer, and your good to go!

 

[Donald4Life]

For the past two years I have taken airborne 2 or 3 days before going to WDW and also the day we are flying. I have not gotten sick when I do this. I don't know if airborne actually works, but taking vitamin C helps boost your immune system and helps fight sickness like colds.

Good-luck!........maybe pack that mask just in case!

 

[hippsmom]

I am planning on taking my Airborne before the flight and maybe again the same day. I am also packing my Zicam nasal swabs. EVERY time I have flown I get sick at some point during my trip. So frustrating. This time I am coming prepared!

 

[all4fun]

I usually take anti-bacterial wipes and wipe down the plane tray table and arm rests. Usually, they are visibly dirty and need to be cleaned anyway.

Other than that, we just wash hands frequently and try not to touch our faces.

It doesn't hurt to eat right and exercise too, but we all know how hard that is to keep up.

eta: speaking of nasal swabs, I've also heard putting a little Vaseline ointment in the nasal passages helps ward off cold germs but I don't know how valid that is.

 

[ZoZo]

You may want to read this article from webmd about airborne. In short, it doesn't work and they had to make millions in refunds for claiming that it did.

This is so interesting - thanks for posting the link to this WebMD article. I thought that Airborne sounded too good to be true, and it looks like my instincts were correct. I am lucky enough to get very few colds (one every two years) and think it helps to practice good hand-washing techniques, keep your hands away from your face, etc. To me, that's the key.

 

[lisadr]

One of the best things you can do it to turn off those air blowers above your seat and keep them off. They are blowing recirculated air (including the germs of others) right into your face! Also stay hydrated-I know this sounds gross but you want to be hydrated so your nasal passages are not dry and more open to germs. The mucus in your nose protects you. Like I said-gross-but true.

 

[wrighter]

I agree wholeheartedly with the pp who said that they wipe down the armrests and traytables with antibacterial wipes. This can really cut down on germs - especially when traveling with children.

The one unique tip I have might sound bizarre, but it has worked for me every time so far - and I fly at least a few times a year. I swab the inside of my nose with Neosporin. I know, it sounds cuckoo. I read it somewhere - like some celebrity recommended it or something - and figured it couldn't hurt to try it. I mean, it is supposed to keep germs from open wounds, right? And isn't our nose just one big open pore? I bring it with me through security (as well as some q-tips.) And then I go to the restroom and "lube up," for lack of a better term. It doesn't hurt or sting at all - can't even tell it's there.

Just something different that I have yet to read here. If anyone decides to give it a try you'll have to let me know if it is as succesful for you as it has been for me.

Good luck!

 

[fire6164]

The one unique tip I have might sound bizarre, but it has worked for me every time so far - and I fly at least a few times a year. I swab the inside of my nose with Neosporin. I know, it sounds cuckoo. I read it somewhere - like some celebrity recommended it or something - and figured it couldn't hurt to try it. I mean, it is supposed to keep germs from open wounds, right? And isn't our nose just one big open pore? I bring it with me through security (as well as some q-tips.) And then I go to the restroom and "lube up," for lack of a better term. It doesn't hurt or sting at all - can't even tell it's there.

Just something different that I have yet to read here. If anyone decides to give it a try you'll have to let me know if it is as succesful for you as it has been for me.

Good luck!

It also helps to keep the inside of your nose moist. Doctor told me to use Neosporin in my nose to help reduce the nose bleds I have been having due to the meds I have been taking for a cold.