How Do You Stay Healthy?

[njaloha]

I use NeilMed sinus rinse twice a day, and I gargle with an antiseptic mouthwash.. I get respiratory infections occasionally on cruises. I also take Zicam with me just in case I start something.

 

Hi pcur, What kind of water do you use for your NeilMed rinse? I do the same thing daily at home and need to do it on the cruise but I usually use distilled water at home and bottled water away from home.

Thanks!

[believer33323]

If you're worried about the dreaded Norovirus, those alcohol gels don't work. You need a strong concentration of bleach to kill it and Clorox wipes aren't strong enough either.

Avoid the buffet where people are touching everything and tables don't get very clean either.

Avoid touching handrails and elevator buttons(so using the stairs is also good for exercise!),try not to touch your face in between washing your hands.

Trying to boost your immune system is a great idea-take daily Vitamin D3,lots of Vitamin C, B vitamins. I'm not sure if starting 7 days ahead is long enough but start anyway.

Try to avoid using the public restrooms-go to your cabin instead.

I did all of this on a recent cruise and did not get sick

 

I found this on the internet.

it states that Purell now makes a product that is supposed to kill the norovirus or at least be a lot more effective. "PURELL VF481" I am going to check with my sanitiary supply man today to see what he says about it.

http://www.rose-hygiene.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28:difficil-s-and-purell&catid=1:latestnews&Itemid=5

[ERIE 13]

Stay off the elevators if at all possible. This area is a germ breeding environment if there every was one.

[sunpuppy]

I love all the great advice! Lots of useful stuff here. I use the NeilMed rinse when I have sinus problems, but didn't think of using that to ward off the germs! I'm going to get some EmergenC and Zinc and give that a try.

 

I do try to wash my hands well & often and popping daily vitamins, so I think I'm good there. Very interesting news about the Purell--definitely going to look into that.

 

I read somewhere to keep nasal passages moist by using vasoline, so I'm trying that, too.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

PS - Hi Carrie--good to see you on the boards. Let's do another cruise again, soon!

[Taxguy77]

I've read all of the posts to here, and the one suggesting the internal use of alcohol sounds the best. We have used this method not knowing (or caring) that it was so good for the avoidance of colds.:D

[SheilaNC]

Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands and uses hand sanitizer frequently. As others have said, eat and sleep healthy, don't touch your face (mouth, nose) with your hands and be sure to use a paper towel to turn off faucets and hold door knobs if in public bathrooms. There are no guarantees for sure, but research shows that hand washing/sanitizers are best preventatives. Good luck!

[believer33323]

I looked into the Purell VF481 sanitizing lotion. According to Purell it was originally manufactured for the Cruise line industry. The only thing is it is hard to get. You can purchase it from Grainger.com but it only comes in a 24 pk of little bottles for about 151.75. I'll use the regular stuff and take my chances.

[beachchick]

That's why we switched to the Melaleuca Wipes and Clear Defense hand gel. Kills all the bug types.

 

Have to agree with the "sleep" suggestion. Travel is stressful and leading up to the cruise we try not to burn the candle at both ends getting ready. And when we can we try not to have early morning flight to port city. We haven't gone as far as masks on plane but are close. For the week prior to leaving we avoid public places and crowds.

 

How do they smell? I dislike the smell of tea tree oil, but know it's a powerful disinfectant.

 

beachchick

[believer33323]

Clear Defence hand gel is 62% alcohol. Purell w/Aloe is the same % and is readily available.

A little disgusting little fact I came across.

 

How many of us ask for water or a mixed drink with a lemon wedge??????

 

Lemon wedges –According to a 2007 study in the Journal of Environmental Health, nearly 70% of lemon wedges on restaurant glasses contain disease-causing microbes—including, in some cases, E. coli and other fecal bacteria. How about skipping the fruit garnish?

[Doug R.]

So you folks are the ones I see wandering the ship in Hazmat suits :D. I take reasonable, but not extraordinary measures every day and continue the practice on board. I have never gotten sick on a cruise nor have I spent all my time on board quaking in fear that I might catch a stray bug. Really now, some of things I read here are so extreme as to border on OCD as opposed to taking prudent precautions. :rolleyes:

[artypharty]

I have to admit that I do some of these things too, like "knuckle punch" the elevator buttons, use the sanitizer every time I see it and take Airborne for a few days prior to shipping out.

 

However, that said, how the heck did we all survive prior to taking all these preventative measures? Our bodies and systems seemed to handle what we threw at it just fine. Sometimes I think it is just over kill (pun intended). :D

[believer33323]

I have to admit that I do some of these things too, like "knuckle punch" the elevator buttons, use the sanitizer every time I see it and take Airborne for a few days prior to shipping out.

 

However, that said, how the heck did we all survive prior to taking all these preventative measures? Our bodies and systems seemed to handle what we threw at it just fine. Sometimes I think it is just over kill (pun intended). :D

 

The life expectency years ago was a lot less than today, so I would think that what we are doing is worth something.

[stargaza]

I swear by this stuff-use it on the flight there and then on the boat occasionally. All that recycled air is the same on a boat or plane!! I haven't gotten a cold/flu after a flight or a cruise since using this stuff for about 2 years. Previously I would always get sick after a flight or cruise.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Spray-Hydration-Airline-Travelers/dp/B0043XCEX6

[Maddle]

Drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, moderate exercise, eat yogurt. Don't stress yourself with excessive alcohol or worry.

 

Now if I could just follow my own advice.

 

Maddle

[manmtnmike]

Best advice:

 

It is the alcohol content of jels and lotions being over 70 % that kills virus and bacteria critters. Nothing replaces hot water and soap hand washing though...

 

May want to try the alcohol swabs and remember to wash hands after using buffet implements , casino chips and railings.

 

Also, when sailing out of northern ports in winter...and this is important!

 

---------------Don't put your tongue on the ice covered, frozen pole:p:p , just because you got dared to by your older brother:rolleyes::D

 

Hope this helps!

 

Have fun and don't obsess about it...you can get sick at home too...at least you're on a cruise. :p

 

Mike

[carolmacey]

We're leaving for our 7 day cruise on December 17, and I have a tendency (even though I wash hands regularly and take vitamins) to bring home the most dreaded of souvenirs--a cold/flu. At least this time we are driving to the port and bypassing any airplane germs. :)

 

I am hoping to come home as healthy as I left this time so I can enjoy the rest of the holidays. I'm planning to stock up on the hand sanitizer and maybe get some Clorox wipes to wipe down the cabin.

 

Does anyone else have this problem or have suggestions on how to stay healthy on a cruise?

I haven't read through all the posts yet so forgive me if I repeat someone else.

I start taking Airbourne a week before we leave, continue through the cruise and for a few days after I get home. I also take a large Vit. C pill everyday while traveling. That has seemed to help us even when we have a flight or two.

[sunpuppy]

---------------Don't put your tongue on the ice covered, frozen pole , just because you got dared to by your older brother.

 

Mike, you must know my older brother! Luckily, he is not coming on the cruise...when we were kids he got me to swim through the rungs of a ladder in our pool...at least I am still around to tell that story!

 

I'll try a few suggestions posted here and cross my fingers! I just hope to avoid being sick for the rest of the holidays, but I'll definitely have a great time either way.

[Mike981]

I think it starts way before you ever go on your trip.

 

Now this is just my feeling but...If you are one who is very, very "cautious" at home you are more susceptible. Why? Your body isn't used to a good fight.

 

We try to keep good hygiene practices all year, you know wash hands, sneeze in your arm...plus! My wife has run an in-home daycare for over 16 years (lots of germs in the house all year) and I swear we rarely get sick.

 

I used to work with a gal that was OCD on wipes and sprays and lotions and...she picked up every bug there was and I swear started some of her own.

 

The marketing of products using fear is a billion dollar industry.

 

Don't obsess over it and have a good time. The best thing you can do for your immune system is have fun and laugh like you are a kid again.

[samuel_levorez]

Just don't forget to bring your vitamins somehow it can help while on a cruise.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Don't alter your sleeping patterns or sacrafice your normal sleep. Many people weaken their resistance by changing their bodies patterns when on vacation and doing things they nromally would not. Try to eat some healthy foods or follow a diet similar to what you would do at home.

 

HUH??? The definition of vacation is doing things you don't normally do while at home.

[searoses]

my immune system us about kaput due to medical treatment. i DO use a mask on the plane going to a vacation. i usually forget on the way home. after getting sick on our first real trip i was determined to not have that happen again.

last year was on a flight to barbados. the little boy across the aisle kept using the barf bag. the flight attendant came over to tell the parents it was too bad he was so airsick. the mom pipes up and says"oh no,he was like this in the hotel last night but at least his fever is down." i wanted to lean over and grab her by the throat!! LOL:mad:

[Doug R.]

I think it starts way before you ever go on your trip.

 

Now this is just my feeling but...If you are one who is very, very "cautious" at home you are more susceptible. Why? Your body isn't used to a good fight.

 

We try to keep good hygiene practices all year, you know wash hands, sneeze in your arm...plus! My wife has run an in-home daycare for over 16 years (lots of germs in the house all year) and I swear we rarely get sick.

 

I used to work with a gal that was OCD on wipes and sprays and lotions and...she picked up every bug there was and I swear started some of her own.

 

The marketing of products using fear is a billion dollar industry.

 

Don't obsess over it and have a good time. The best thing you can do for your immune system is have fun and laugh like you are a kid again.

 

I have to echo this, I have known quite a few germaphobics in my time and several of them get sick more often than others who are not quite as obssessed. It is well documented that we are liable to createimmune deficient children by the tendancy of "helicopter parents" to scrub and santize everything their children touches.

[believer33323]

I pretty much gave up on vitamins a few years ago being not worth the money. But reading of cruise nightmares I figure it may not work but it can't hurt me either. I went and looked at the Airborne to maybe buy it for before and during the trip. After looking at it I ended up with a multi-vitamin. Airborne just seems to be a lot of C, some A & E vitamins with low doses of some herbs.

Found this on WebMd:

In a July 2007 study, researchers wanted to discover whether taking 200 milligrams or more of vitamin C daily could reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of a cold. After reviewing 60 years of clinical research, they found that when taken after a cold starts, vitamin C supplements do not make a cold shorter or less severe. When taken daily, vitamin C very slightly shorted cold duration -- by 8% in adults and by 14% in children.

 

The RDA or recommended daily allowance is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. High doses of vitamin C greater than 2000 milligrams per day for adults may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea

Airborne has 1000mg per dose, So be careful not to take too many.