I'm ambivalent on this issue. While I know it's "healthy" not to be too freaked out about dirt and germs and mice found in garbage dumps have a better immune system than lab rats raised in essentially "germ-free" environments. I know if I think about all this too much, I'd never go out to dinner, travel, or enjoy life at all. Germs are everywhere. Our bodies are covered in them...no matter how often we bathe and wash our hands.

There is, however, an acceptable ammount of exposure and an unacceptable one. I think it's good to have someone who handles lots of different germy cups and glasses, etc. to try to be as sanitary as possible about doing this. That's not asking much I shouldn't think. On the other hand, we're all trapped in that big can of germs when we're flying, so what's the difference?

When we went to London last summer, my husband (with the best immune system of anyone I know) get sick with a horrible cold toward the end of our trip...just about the exact incubation period for catching such things while on the plane coming over. Then, of course, he passed it on to me and I was sick as a dog on the plane. Guess I did my part in giving it to some poor schlepp!

Anyone heard of that fizzy tablet stuff the schoolteacher supposedly invented to help boost the immune system while flying? How silly. Yet, I tried it on that same trip. Wow, sure worked for me...not. Can't remember the name of it but I saw it the other day in the drugstore.

Bottom line - the best way to prevent illness is to boost your own immune system by eating right, sleeping well, and exercising. WHATEVER!

betsy