Hey FF, lets talk about immunizations - Do YOU?
Feb 1, 2015 | 6:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MCO/FLL
Programs: AA-gold(MM); Marriott-Lifetime Titanium Elite; Hilton-Gold;; IHG Silver
Posts: 505
Hey FF, lets talk about immunizations - Do YOU?
With all the talk about the measles outbreak in the U.S. (not sure if its elsewhere) and bird flu and Lord knows what else, I'm curious if other frequent flyers take extra precautions.
Sometimes on flights you end up next to someone who is either hacking away, constantly clearing their throat, or just overall looks sick. The only time I recall having an ailment is a very bad sore throat on a flight home from the Philippines (drank a ton of tea with honey). And after spending 15 hours in Dhaka airport (thanks to the volcanic eruption in 2009) I had a very bad intestinal bout.
As a FF, (and avid cruiser), I always do take antibacterial wipes and wipe down my seat, table, remote (including I do this in my hotel rooms/cruise cabin/ bus seat if doing a tour). I don't go crazy, but just as a precaution. I've never been healthier. Since moving to South Florida from the northeast in 2008, I do not get colds, or flus anymore. I do get a flu shot every year.
Before I went to South Africa in 2012 I did get some extra immunizations b/c I was going to do so some safaris/interaction with animals.
I was seeing news reports advising adults to get reinoculated for MMR. Then read another article that adults who received vaccines prior to 1957 are immune, period. I was born 1954.
I started thinking, of all my travel on flights, which I travel extensively for work to many countries far and wide. I really try not to think about those closed in flights with so many germs and no way to get away from people who may be infected. I would go nuts if I really thought about it. Instead, I just blow it off, because I love to travel. But maybe I need more immunizations, especially as I get older.
My daughter and I are heading to Australia for a month in a couple of weeks and in addition to spending a few days on Kangaroo island, we will take many tours that have such titles as Wine & Wildlife; Wildlife extravaganza; and so on. (Yes, I've heard of the Koala herpes scare). I am an avid wildlife enthusiast and while I avoid any facilities that drug their wildlife for tourists, I will partake with those that do not and have experienced many sanctuaries for some prime time interaction.
I would love the opinion of other frequent flyers and their thoughts on staying germ free? Any getting boosters or updated immunizations?
As a loyal watcher of Animal Planets Monsters Inside Me, I know I can easily die from or get very sick from a mosquito bite in my Florida back yard.
Sometimes on flights you end up next to someone who is either hacking away, constantly clearing their throat, or just overall looks sick. The only time I recall having an ailment is a very bad sore throat on a flight home from the Philippines (drank a ton of tea with honey). And after spending 15 hours in Dhaka airport (thanks to the volcanic eruption in 2009) I had a very bad intestinal bout.
As a FF, (and avid cruiser), I always do take antibacterial wipes and wipe down my seat, table, remote (including I do this in my hotel rooms/cruise cabin/ bus seat if doing a tour). I don't go crazy, but just as a precaution. I've never been healthier. Since moving to South Florida from the northeast in 2008, I do not get colds, or flus anymore. I do get a flu shot every year.
Before I went to South Africa in 2012 I did get some extra immunizations b/c I was going to do so some safaris/interaction with animals.
I was seeing news reports advising adults to get reinoculated for MMR. Then read another article that adults who received vaccines prior to 1957 are immune, period. I was born 1954.
I started thinking, of all my travel on flights, which I travel extensively for work to many countries far and wide. I really try not to think about those closed in flights with so many germs and no way to get away from people who may be infected. I would go nuts if I really thought about it. Instead, I just blow it off, because I love to travel. But maybe I need more immunizations, especially as I get older.
My daughter and I are heading to Australia for a month in a couple of weeks and in addition to spending a few days on Kangaroo island, we will take many tours that have such titles as Wine & Wildlife; Wildlife extravaganza; and so on. (Yes, I've heard of the Koala herpes scare). I am an avid wildlife enthusiast and while I avoid any facilities that drug their wildlife for tourists, I will partake with those that do not and have experienced many sanctuaries for some prime time interaction.
I would love the opinion of other frequent flyers and their thoughts on staying germ free? Any getting boosters or updated immunizations?
As a loyal watcher of Animal Planets Monsters Inside Me, I know I can easily die from or get very sick from a mosquito bite in my Florida back yard.
Feb 1, 2015 | 9:56 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 26,113
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
Feb 1, 2015 | 12:22 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MCO/FLL
Programs: AA-gold(MM); Marriott-Lifetime Titanium Elite; Hilton-Gold;; IHG Silver
Posts: 505
Three thoughts on this:
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
For the most part, use a paper towel to open bathroom door. I've also gotten in the habit or using a slip on disposable glove for pumping gas. But trust me, there are plenty of times I am not able to wipe down public used things.
Feb 1, 2015 | 8:48 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 2,396
As this is a general, non-program related travel topic, this post will likely do better here in the TravelBuzz forum.
Thanks!
Moderator, Information Desk
Thanks!
Moderator, Information Desk
Feb 1, 2015 | 9:41 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
Before I went to South Africa in 2012 I did get some extra immunizations b/c I was going to do so some safaris/interaction with animals.
I was seeing news reports advising adults to get reinoculated for MMR. Then read another article that adults who received vaccines prior to 1957 are immune, period. I was born 1954.
germ free
immunizations
I was seeing news reports advising adults to get reinoculated for MMR. Then read another article that adults who received vaccines prior to 1957 are immune, period. I was born 1954.
germ free
immunizations
very different issues, with things like yellow fever being regional
Feb 1, 2015 | 10:16 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,889
Three thoughts on this:
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
I flew during SARS without concerns. You have just as much chance of catching a disease on a bus or in a grocery store or at the movies. If someone is noticeably sick (red eyes, sniffling, coughing) I will ask the FA to change my seat. But someone that sick is quite often stopped at the gate and not allowed to board.
Feb 1, 2015 | 10:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
I keep up with my shots and take a glance at the CDC's website before I go to a developing country. I'd like to avoid hepatitis A, thankyouverymuch.
Other than that, I think basic precautions are more important than anything else. Don't eat at a street food stall with no customers, the food has probably been sitting out for a while (and probably isn't very good if no one wants it!). Aim for foods cooked with high temperatures and served immediately. Be careful about mosquitos in dengue regions. Be careful about ice, but ice that looks like it's from a central manufacturer is probably fine (look for the round ice cubes with holes).
I once spent a month in Thailand followed by five weeks in Mumbai without getting sick. Currently in Penang for ten days before flying up to Thailand again, haven't gotten sick yet despite eating all the street food I can find in Georgetown.
The only time I've ever gotten a serious bout of traveller's diarrhea was in France of all places.
Other than that, I think basic precautions are more important than anything else. Don't eat at a street food stall with no customers, the food has probably been sitting out for a while (and probably isn't very good if no one wants it!). Aim for foods cooked with high temperatures and served immediately. Be careful about mosquitos in dengue regions. Be careful about ice, but ice that looks like it's from a central manufacturer is probably fine (look for the round ice cubes with holes).
I once spent a month in Thailand followed by five weeks in Mumbai without getting sick. Currently in Penang for ten days before flying up to Thailand again, haven't gotten sick yet despite eating all the street food I can find in Georgetown.
The only time I've ever gotten a serious bout of traveller's diarrhea was in France of all places.
Feb 2, 2015 | 12:58 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,233
I follow the NHS travel advice for the country I'm travelling to. If it says you should have a vaccination, I have it. I think this is also a condition of most travel insurance policies that cover medical care.
Feb 2, 2015 | 4:44 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: QF Plat, VA Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 547
Prior to 2012, I'd often travel to places (urban and rural) like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India etc without prior immunisation. However, a good friend and colleague of mine (doctor) passed away from Typhoid after a 4 week trip to the subcontinent - I decided the risk wasn't worth it.
Hep A and Typhoid immunisations last 5 years? - and sets you back $140 in Australia
Hep A and Typhoid immunisations last 5 years? - and sets you back $140 in Australia
Feb 2, 2015 | 5:56 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
Prior to 2012, I'd often travel to places (urban and rural) like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India etc without prior immunisation. However, a good friend and colleague of mine (doctor) passed away from Typhoid after a 4 week trip to the subcontinent - I decided the risk wasn't worth it.
Hep A and Typhoid immunisations last 5 years? - and sets you back $140 in Australia
Hep A and Typhoid immunisations last 5 years? - and sets you back $140 in Australia
Feb 2, 2015 | 6:24 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: QF Plat, VA Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 547
Feb 2, 2015 | 7:53 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
Three thoughts on this:
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
1. Many of the diseases that you'd be concerned about are viral, not bacterial. Antibacterial wipes do nothing for those.
2. There is an alternate school of thought (inspired in part by statistics like kids growing up on farms in Switzerland playing in the dirt next to the farm animals having way fewer allergies than kids brought up in sterile city environments) that a little bit of "training your immune system" with slight amounts of germs actually may protect you better than avoiding all germs at all costs (because you can't really do the latter).
3. Do you also wipe down (or otherwise always avoid touching with your hands) the handle of any public bathroom door before you exit (including on the plane but also in restaurants and at work)? That's a way bigger a source of germs than the things you mentioned wiping down. In fact, it may be worse to wash your hands, then touch the handle of the bathroom door while exiting, than to not wash your hands at all (and avoid that handle), that's how germ-prone those door handles have been found to be.
I'm always reminded of one of my hiking instructors's mantras: if it were that easy, we'd all be dead by now (as he ate a piece of food he'd dropped on the ground).
People evolved with germs. Something like SIX POUNDS of the average adult's body weight is directly attributable to bacteria. Antibacterial wipes are snake oil - they may kill some germs right where they're wiped, but you're still surrounded by bacteria and viruses inside and out. Your mouth, for example, is on average home to about 100 million individual bacteria. The germophobia we've developed as a society is really a triumph of people marketing anti-germ products.
Absolutely I agree that kids should play in the dirt to train their immune systems.
As for vaccinations, I get whatever's recommended for the place I'm going.
Feb 2, 2015 | 10:13 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,057
I keep my vaccinations current (hep A, hep B, typhoid, polio, yellow fever, MMR, tetanus) and take malarone when I'm in a malarial zone. But the frenzy for anti-bacterial wipes just makes me laugh. I believe 100% in "immunization by exposure" to general germs, and 100% in vaccination to guard against preventable diseases that can kill or permanently damage you. Science is a wonderful thing.
Feb 2, 2015 | 2:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Venice, Florida
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,608
I have a few friends who do NOT vaccinate, and actually got Dr's to lie on the form so the kids could get in school(this was over 20 years ago when it was very strict). their reasoning was everyone else had vaccines done, so their kids should be ok.
I have a simple opinion--I dont really care to debate the whole should I vaccinate or not, I just think if youre NOT going to vaccinate you should think twice about where you take your kids. Its really scary and unfair to those people who have compromised immune systems due to cancers, etc , those from other countries, etc. It just doesnt seem fair or right. But who knows? I always had to have all my titers for work and vaccinated my daughter as well.
I have a simple opinion--I dont really care to debate the whole should I vaccinate or not, I just think if youre NOT going to vaccinate you should think twice about where you take your kids. Its really scary and unfair to those people who have compromised immune systems due to cancers, etc , those from other countries, etc. It just doesnt seem fair or right. But who knows? I always had to have all my titers for work and vaccinated my daughter as well.