Gesundheit! When You’ve Been Sneezed On…
We’ve all been there. Crowded flights, cold and flu season and nowhere to go as we are packed in like sardines. Random coughing all around you, and then before you know it AAAACHOOOOO! You can feel the droplets land on your arm as the person next to you quickly apologizes.
What can you do? Well, there are more and more products on the market designed to boost your immune system and give your troops a boost. First, do not touch your face. This is the number one way that germs enter our system - through the nose or mouth. Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer wipes or gel while in flight.
Plan ahead for this exposure - it is almost a given that someone near you will be sick when flying during cold and flu season.
Keep your nasal passages moistened so it is easier to remove the bacteria.
I am happy to see that every time I go to a drugstore or pharmacy, there are more and more preventative products displayed or those that will lessen the duration of symptoms.
I have used products such as Airborne, Zicam, Boiron Homeopathic products and just today I found these salt rinses - great for travel. As soon as you are exposed or feel a sore throat or any sign of colds or flu, gargle with this solution which is basically salt and water with some antioxidants added. Some people think the taste is awful, some like it - but all said it worked quickly and effectively. I have not had the chance to try it since I just bought it today. However, it is salt and water - probably not going to taste all that great - but if it does the job…
At the American Academy of Pediatrics conference, I spoke with the representatives from Boiron, the manufacturer of the homeopathic product Oscillococcinum. I had seen this product in the past, but didn’t know much about it. The reps were actually from Paris and stated that they take it every time they fly, since once exposed to the flu it can take a few days to incubate in our systems until we feel the symptoms.
I was intrigued. They gave me a sample packet of the cold product as well as the Oscillococcinum. Since we are getting ready for our Europe trip next week, I threw them in the pile of carry on items to be packed.
It was not there long.
My son complained of stomach pain a few nights later and by the sound of his intestinal gurgling, I suspected a long road ahead. I knew there had been a virus going around from some of my clients being sick. My heart sank - nobody in our family had time to be sick! Or proper time to rest either! (Does anyone nowadays??)
I dug the sample out and promptly gave my son and myself the little pellets. They dissolved in the mouth and tasted good (my son liked them as well). We went to sleep and the next morning followed up with the second dose. And yes, it really worked!!! He was better (never threw up) and I never got sick. I found out later that my friend’s toddler who also had the virus vomited 20 times! AND they were on a flight to Florida!
*I do write in Jet With Kids that it is best to keep your child away from other kids (if possible) the week before a flight since they spread the most germs and put hands in the mouth most often. My son was around this toddler for a bit the day before while I stopped in to drop something off at their home - probably just long enough to touch the little boy’s toys and pick up the virus!
So, yes, you can say that I highly recommend this product. I bought some more today to replenish our supply of Oscillococcinum and the cold product as well. Flying during cold and flu season does prove a bit more challenging due to exposure to so many people. However, take advantage of these products, they have been effectively used for over 200 years.
Safe to use by pregnant women (always check with your doctor), children over 2 and those who are fragile medically, these remedies are “what the body recommends”. Homeopathy does not interact with medications or have any side effects.
So, if you are sneezed on, get the Zicam out and swipe your nasal passages, drop a fizzing effervescent Airborne tablet into your water bottle, gargle a bit of salt water, dissolve some homeopathic pellets into your mouth, and for the love of God - WASH your hands!
And then pass this video on to the person next to you: