How to boost the immune system during frequent travel?
Feb 15, 2012, 10:35 am
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Feb 15, 2012, 2:48 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 30,569
Feb 20, 2012, 7:10 pm
#34
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I do take some Emergen-C with me, and particularly use it the day or two after arrival. As well I use a product similar to Purell (too harsh for prolonged use) with Ale vera - "fomite" may have just become a favorite household word since "Contagion" (the move) but it's a perfectly valid one.
The usual issue with what you consume - your body may not be used to local bacteria and chemicals in the water supply, or even mosquito and biting insect histamines, even in countries with pretty good sanitation. And some seemingly innocuous foods can affect you as well - as a child I could not resist eating several mangoes when the season began. This is an excellent way to loosen your bowels, and mango (especially the skin) has urushiol, the same chemical you may be allergic to in poison oak or ivy.
In many countries, of course, be careful of the water (and ice), unwashed unpeeled vegetables or fruits, etc.
Contrary to the cw, aircraft cabins to day are pretty well ventilated and it is the high density of people and close proximity of contagious diseases that contribute to the problem, much like on a subway system, etc.
As for Zicam and products containing zinc, especially administered nasally, be cautious, My oldest niece, who loves wines and good food, is quite health conscious and active and fairly knowledgeable about them, became anosmic. She is recovering some of her sense of smell (which affects your sense of taste much more than you would possibly believe), but two years later she is not even close to having the sense she once possessed (speaking of sense of olfaction, I mean
).
The usual issue with what you consume - your body may not be used to local bacteria and chemicals in the water supply, or even mosquito and biting insect histamines, even in countries with pretty good sanitation. And some seemingly innocuous foods can affect you as well - as a child I could not resist eating several mangoes when the season began. This is an excellent way to loosen your bowels, and mango (especially the skin) has urushiol, the same chemical you may be allergic to in poison oak or ivy.
In many countries, of course, be careful of the water (and ice), unwashed unpeeled vegetables or fruits, etc.
Contrary to the cw, aircraft cabins to day are pretty well ventilated and it is the high density of people and close proximity of contagious diseases that contribute to the problem, much like on a subway system, etc.
As for Zicam and products containing zinc, especially administered nasally, be cautious, My oldest niece, who loves wines and good food, is quite health conscious and active and fairly knowledgeable about them, became anosmic. She is recovering some of her sense of smell (which affects your sense of taste much more than you would possibly believe), but two years later she is not even close to having the sense she once possessed (speaking of sense of olfaction, I mean
).
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 20, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Feb 20, 2012, 9:13 pm
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Yesterday, my 6 year old kid opened the child proof cap to Carz Vitamins and downed a quarter bottle over a couple of days I found out. I read the instructions and there is no comment about taking too many vitamins. He was pretty alert and sharp, and his cold seemed to subside.
Feb 23, 2012, 9:22 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 22
This is what I do:
1- in the airport and on the plane, use hand sanitizer after touching shared surfaces (or wash hands in the bathroom)
2- before boarding plane, get water and drink it before and during the flight
3- spray nose with a plain saline solution before boarding. If it's a long flight, spray again halfway through.
4- take extra Vitamin D3, Zinc, Kyolic Aged Garlic before the flight, and Kyolic and D3 (plus regular vitamins) for the duration of the trip
5- I'm one of the crazies that cleans the surfaces of he hotel room, and puts the remote in a clear ziplock.
6- if I do catch a cold on a trip, I take Oscillococcinum. I swear by it. ^
1- in the airport and on the plane, use hand sanitizer after touching shared surfaces (or wash hands in the bathroom)
2- before boarding plane, get water and drink it before and during the flight
3- spray nose with a plain saline solution before boarding. If it's a long flight, spray again halfway through.
4- take extra Vitamin D3, Zinc, Kyolic Aged Garlic before the flight, and Kyolic and D3 (plus regular vitamins) for the duration of the trip
5- I'm one of the crazies that cleans the surfaces of he hotel room, and puts the remote in a clear ziplock.
6- if I do catch a cold on a trip, I take Oscillococcinum. I swear by it. ^
Feb 23, 2012, 12:41 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 30,569
