DON'T be a SELFISH passenger! While many are worried how to minimize symptoms, pay attention about how to minimum spread to others.

1) buy a paper surgical mask from a drug store. In Japan, many people wear these during the winter to reduce spread of their germs and getting other people sick.
2) wash your hands often.

1-Get drunk on the flight. This will not only help the pain, if you order screwdrivers you will also be getting a good dosage of vitamin C to fight that cold.

2-Change your toothbrush. Best way to get rid of a cold. -Think about where they are stored and where they are put twice per day.

Thanks for the great advice! I will stop tomorrow and get some Sudafed.

Thanks again for the quick response!

I would immediately go out and buy Zicam, a zinc spray recently approved by the FDA. Its worth every penny of the $9.99 I paid for the little spray bottle recently

I can also vouch for Earplanes earplugs. They help to equalize the pressure in your ears, and since they are made of soft silicone they are very comfortable & have the added bonus of keeping out a lot of noise. One of my best friends uses them whenever she flies since flying bothers her ears a lot. rxziebel, you should be able to pick them up at any Walgreen's or Osco. Good luck from a fellow Chicago-area traveller! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Regards,
- Anna

Please note that the VERY popular psuedoepherine (Sudafed) is NOT entirely free of undesirable side effects either! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I just returned from a nightmarish return to AZ from CA with a cold. I can recommend the following.

Aleve Cold and Sinus: 2x day relieved a lot of the discomfort.

Afrin NoDrip: 2x day wiped out my nasal congestion and opened my sinuses. Highly recommended.

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Bob

I have found that for me, Actifed (also available OTC in generic form) works much better than Sudafed. Really cheap too, as long as you get the generic.

When I find myself w/o any Actifed, I settle for a nice bottle of Cabernet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

FWIW, Actifed actually is composed of an antihistamine, Triprolidine (2.5 mg), along with 60 mg pseudoephedrine. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-03-2000).]

I agree with Westcoaster and Anna re: the Earplanes - I swear by them (have to fly with allergies frequently). A lot of airports have them, but I don't trust that, and always get a couple of pair at the drugstore before I go anywhere.

One thing about the Earplanes, you really only need to wear them for take-off/climb and descent/landing. When you're at cruise, you shouldn't have much trouble, and can take the plugs out (or replace them with real plugs).

Greg

Funny, no one mentioned Vitamin C 2000 milligrams per hour to shut down the virus and get relief.

RR- I hope your just kidding! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Everyone's a "doc" these days! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Why do you ask? Do you have the evidence (let alone the credentials) to challenge the statement without your usual equivocating?

Just a rhetorical question (wink, wink).

SXJ - At least I can speak, some of us do or shortly will have the MD to bear http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ... On the Vit C, one of the studies done was actually with employees of the CDC. Bottom line, Vit C wasn't that helpfull, though the study did have flaws...dealing with smart people, those receiving placebo in the study could figure it out, since it didn't have the "taste" that Vit C has associated with it.

[This message has been edited by burkey (edited 11-03-2000).]

I agree with RoadRunner....DON'T!!!

I have a high tolerance for pain (4 of 6 kids with no drugs), but I flew a short distance PHX to SAN and was in pain the entire time (maybe the old age setting in). Thanks for all those tips though, I will try them next time.