Preventing VIRUSES?

[mrsfuzzmo]

Just wondering what are some of the precautions you use to prevent Viruses like cold, flu & Norwalk? Do you think it is worth taking precautions? Do you think what you do has helped? I don't want any of us to have to be put into the dreaded Quarantined catagory and miss half the cruise.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

What kinds of products do any of you use? Do you swear by anything specific? I don't want to be carrying a lot of extras on board. Can you buy anything like this once onboard?

thanks!

 

[tammy bell]

As a R.N. and a mom, I can tell you that the best way to prevent viruses is handwashing, handwashing, handwashing. Make sure you wash for at least 15 seconds also to make sure that you get rid of all the germs. Teach your kids to wash their hands in school and immediately upon coming home. Good Luck.

 

[CACruiser]

The best thing to prevent is handwashing with antibacerial soap!

Other things you can use:
Purell Sanitizing Gel-no water needed and comes in small travel-sized bottles! Good for going off shore and no place to wash hands!

You could go really commando and get a small can of Lysol to sanatize your room, but I have read the sanitizing process on DCL is better than most 5* hotels!

I have heard good things about taking a dietary supplement called "Airborne" which can be purchased on the W.Coast at "Trader Joes". It boosts your immunity system.

LisaCA

 

[hayesktrm]

We traveled at Christmastime and I was worried about all of us getting the flu. I bought antibacterial moisturizing hand gel at Bath and Body works (3 for $10). None of us got sick, smells good, and they don't have to find a bathroom to wash their hands. I keep it in my purse. It also doesn't try out my skin.

Karen

 

[Cindyluwho]

Ok, call me paranoid. But after the dreaded Nov 16th sailing in 2002 we learned so much about staying healthy while traveling. Before we get to the aiport we use a Qtip and put a small amount of Neosporin or 5in1 ointment up inside our nose so it's harder for airborne germs to take hold in there. We take antibacterial wipes on the plane with us and wipe down every surface that we might touch. This inclued the tray, arm rests, button to put your chair back, etc. You wouldn't believe how disgustingly dirty the thing is when you're through. Then we take a clean wipe and clean our hands. Just those two precautions have helped us stay healthy on every trip we've taken in the last year and a half. The only way to catch a virus in through the air or by hand to face contact - so you've got to eliminate or at least lessen those chances. Funny thing is, I thought people would look at us strangely on the plane when we're wiping everything down but they actually comment about what a good idea it is and sometimes even ask for wipes.
And of course the handwashing is the best and easiest way to stay healthy. For the little kids to remember how long to wash - "row, row, row your boat"- sing that song 2 times and you're set.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I suppose some kind of wipes would be extra good to take to...say...Cozumel, where even the water can get you sick? You don't want to be washing your hands in water that can give you Montezuma's revenge and then eating, not do you?

Where can I get some of these towels? Do they sell them on the ship in the sundrie store? I want to carry on as little as possible! thanks

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I suppose you'd especially want to have some kind of towelette in say .....Cozumel.....where even the water can get you sick. Who wants to wash their hands in water that can give you "Montezuma's Revenge" and then eat lunch with those same hands?????

Can you buy some kind of wipes on the ship in the sundries store? I want to carry on as little as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Gina]

I try and stay religious about the things people have mentioned above... in addition, I pack an individual anti-bacterial wipe into my little boy's lunch each day for school. Even though the school is great about making sure they wash their hands as they file out of the restroom when they go, God only knows what all he touches in between then and his sandwich, you know?

I ask him all the time, and he says he uses it... he understands the whole quarantine thing and doesn't want that to be him on the ship.

-gina-

 

[SweetSpot]

On our first cruise we washed our hands very often and were very careful but it was two weeks before the Norwalk cancelled the cruise. Many people were sick and on Friday my DD came down with the Norwalk. Last Nov. after our prior years experience we were overly careful. My hands were so dry from the constant washing yet on Friday my DS came down with the Norwalk and I picked it up from him a couple days later. We cruised twice and we got sick twice and we are still planning our next cruise. We will do what we can to prevent it again but in the end there's no way to prevent it completely especially if you have kids in the clubs. I have to admit for a little while after being sick this year I really wasn't looking forward to getting on the ship again but there's no avoiding germs completely. For a DCL cruise it's worth taking the chance of getting sick.

 

[Hercules10]

Originally posted by Cindyluwho
Before we get to the aiport we use a Qtip and put a small amount of Neosporin or 5in1 ointment up inside our nose so it's harder for airborne germs to take hold in there.

Wow! Doing that alone would probably make me sick. Ya'll are braver soldiers then I am.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Not to throw a wrench into anything, but...

Isn't it true that the use of antibacterial products (soaps, gels, etc.) only kill living bacteria and will not touch a virus? A virus, afterall, cannot actually be considered a "living" thing.