What can I do to keep from getting sick/flu/cold etc at DW?

[suzannedid]

I am leaving in 2 weeks to go to Disney.

What can I do for the next 2 weeks to help make sure I do not get sick , or my family gets sick during our trip? (such as the cold, flu etc.)

Should I take extra vitamins etc?

 

[OHIODISNEYFAMILY]

I personally advocate hand sanitizer, often and liberally. I mean after most rides. Yes, it's obsessive, but my family was terribly sick after our first 2 trips when I didn't do this. Once I started, we've not gotten sick. Could be luck, but I'm going to keep it up! I like the foaming sanitizer from Bath and Body Works because it doesn't drip and is small and compact.

Otherwise, keeping clean in general and saying your prayers can't hurt. We always take multi-vitamins around here, but nothing special for our trips.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

Make sure you and your kids don't run your hands down every surface that you can. I am always telling my kids don't touch that, especially in quene areas. My son wants to touch every rail and chain. And yes, lots of hand sanitizer and wash hands every chance we get.

Three trips ago, ms DS got a stomach virus one day into trip and was sick every 30 minutes for a 36 hour time period. Never want to repeat that again.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

You can't guarantee that you won't get sick, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of staying healthy. I'm a preschool teacher and we're trained in avoiding germs!

First, have you had a flu shot yet? We are also leaving in just under 2 weeks and I made sure everyone in the family got a flu shot last month. It takes about 2 weeks after getting the shot for your body to build the immunities. So, if you want to get a shot, you should arrange to get it as soon as possible.

Next, make sure everyone in the family practices good hand washing techniques and washes their hands often. Also, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Try to stay away from people who are sick. This can be difficult if it's someone you work with or someone at your kid's school. But just be extra cautious about touching things they've touched, sharing food, cups, etc.

Sanitize! Washing hands with soap and water is best, but hand sanitizer is a good choice when a sink is not available. Make sure everyone stays clean, especially after touching things in public areas like malls. Germs lurk on door handles, shopping carts, hand rails, and especially in public restrooms.

If someone does get a cold, make sure noses are blown into tissues and not wiped on sleeves. Have them practice the "vampire sneeze." That's where you sneeze into the crook of your elbow instead of into your hands or, worse, into the air. This might reduce the chances that everyone else gets to cold too!

Make sure to stay clean and sanitized throughout your trip. When you get that many people in one place, germs are bound to be everywhere! Hope you all stay healthy and have fun!

 

[dmslush]

The following tips about hand sanitizers come from the mayo clinic site. Many times, people don't use the products in the correct way, they just lightly rub it on and that is it:

Proper use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't available. They're actually more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.

Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though. Some "waterless" hand sanitizers don't contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products.

To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

* Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand.
* Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.

If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water rather than a sanitizer.

 

[Eljay]

If you do find that in spite of your efforts, you get that unmistakable sore throat, I am a massive believer in Zicam. The moment I feel the sore throat, I use the red & white box of Zicam nasal swabs, every 4 hours, around the clock for 48 hrs. You must, however, get started with the Zicam within 24 hrs. of the first symptom. The sooner the better. It really works.
Walgreens has it on sale this week.
www.zicam.com

 

[cleo]

Ever wonder how your Dr. or your child's pediatrician stays healthy while treating patient after patient with cold and ful symptoms? Want to know the secret? It's even better than hand sanitizer, but it's just a bit harder to carry out.

Don't touch your face.

Yep. That's it. Don't touch your face unless your hands are clean. If you get off a ride and you scratch your nose before you wash with sanitizer, it's already too late (well, it may be. If there are no live germs and your immune system is in high gear, you'll be fine regardless). If you touch the button in an elevator and then rub your eyes or your nose, then you wash, you're already exposed.

On a cruder (but no less important note), don't sit down when using the toilets in public places (and, by the way, don't touch the door handle on the way out without using a clean paper towel). Intestinal flu (tummy bugs) are shed from the gut for 2-3 days after a person has 'recovered', so while they are fine, you've just be exposed.

It's pretty simple but it's also very hard to manage, especially with children. But....if you can work those two things into your clean routine, you're way, way, way ahead of the game.

There are no guarantees. Cough and sneeze particles hang in the air for several hours, and we walk through them constantly. Keep your immune system up (Echinecea with Goldenseal is good, as is ImmunoPlex or similar), keep your hands away from your face and squat when you'd rather sit. That's about the best prevention possible.

 

[3daughters]

Do a search there was a lot of talk about being ill on one of the threads. As I mentioned on that thread - wash your hands or use a 60% alcohol hand sanitizer. Use it liberally. Most people don't use it enough. Also, purrell makes individual wipes - think of the old wash and dry packets. Take those with you too. Wipe down surfaces such as salt and pepper shakers, drink glasses and tables even seats at eateries. If you go to a buffet, be sure to use hand sanitizer before you eat. You've just touched a spoon that maybe 100 people just touched - yuk!

There's not much you can do with your kids in school, just stress to them to not touch their faces and use hand sanitizer throughout the day. They have little bottles they can take to school, tell them to bring them home when they are empty and refill with a larger bottle. Bring those to Disney too.

Don't stress about getting sick, the more you stress the more you lower your immune system. Also, get everyone to drink alot of water. Keeping your body hydrated works wonders. Also, at the very first sign of a cold use Zicam. The stuff is GREAT. Even with the kids. This stuff is magic and doesn't contain anything that can be harmful unless you OD on the stuff.

Be careful of echinatia (I know I spelled that wrong) people with hay fever or other seasonal allergies should not take products with this. It will not boost their immune system, it will cause an allergy and stress their system - it's like feeding them ragweed!

Calm down, use Purrell and Zicam and RELAX and enjoy your vacation! Trust me I'm the biggest germaphobe on earth and have the exact same worries as you, but I'm taking my own advice! What will be will be! One more thing, if they are sick when you leave as long as they are not vomiting or other stomach ailments or have a fever over 101 I'd say go for it. Just be considerate of others and keep their touching to a minimum. Also, don't use the airplane bathroom, it's a germfest in there!!

 

[fla4fun]

Another thing most people don't do is get enough rest in the week or so leading up to their vacation, which also lowers your immunity. I try to get an extra hour or two of sleep every night for at least a week before vacation so I'm not run down before I get there.

Also, on the subject of clean hands, I carry antibacterial towelettes with me and wash my hands just before consuming any food. The sanitizer is great out in the parks, but although it kills germs, it doesn't clean your hands the way a towellette does and I like my hands clean before I eat. The Purell towelettes are really nice, as are the Wash N Dri towelettes. You also don't have to worry that your towelettes will leak all over your bag (which I've had happen with the sanitizer bottles).

 

[alyssa810]

I've taken airborne a few times before I've flown, and that seems to help me...of course it could be in my head too, as my DH is convinced it is!! These are the tabs that dissolve in water (like alka seltzer) that you drink. It's not the most delicious thing I've ever had, but if it keeps me from getting sick, the few minutes of distaste are worth it.

 

[suzannedid]

I've saved for a year to get to go to Disney and do not want to be sick when I get there .

All of your advise will help.

Thanks.