Puckhead

Hey guys I have a few questions for you guys about how you deal with colds lol I know of all things a cold. I am just getting over a pretty nasty one and have lost the runny nose and all that but still cant get my ers to equalize fully. Should I go fly? Im just time building for a rating so its not life or death flying today but time is time so what would you guys do? I am currently taking the Zicam thing and it worked just cant get the ears right. Thanks for any input!

TXav8r13

Don’t take any chances I would wait. There’s no use in messing up your head and the chance of not being able to fly for a much longer time. I would get your Doctor to prescribe you a Z pack. You take one pill a day and in a week you good as new.

Puckhead

Never heard of the z pack what is it? Just a pill once a day thing? Would it help with the equalization problem?

TXav8r13

It’s a type of antibiotic. “Z” is an abbreviation for azithromycin. You take 2 pills the first day and 1 every day after that for a week. It’s commonly prescribed by physicians.

rickair7777

Antibiotics don't work on colds..colds are caused by a rhinovirus (keyword = VIRUS). Antiobiotics work on bacterial infections only, not viral infections.

If you have a respiratory infection that followed a cold, that is often a bacteria and treatable with antibiotics.

When I started the airline thing I got a lot of colds, but a little research narrowed the causes down:

Deydration: Weakens the immune system. Airplanes are dry and it's annoying to have to open the door in flight so I used to not drink much water. Now I pound all kinds of water in the last hour of each flight...and **** like a racehorse after the pax deplane.

Excess booze on overnights: Dehydrates you and weakens the immune system.

Poor Diet: Weakens the immune system.

Diseased PAX: This is where the sickness comes from. I avoid pax like the plague (no pun intended). I don't touch anything they touch, and I wash my hands with soap every leg. If I have to cross seatbelts (or deadhead) I wash my hands immediately after.

Cockpit: During the winter diseased pilots can be a problem...wipe down the controls with alcohol wipes (it will take 4-5 to do it right).

Meds: I always carry Airborne and Cold-eeze (zinc)...if I feel a throat thing coming on I start popping that stuff. It does work if you start early and get as much rest as possible (go to bed, not the bar if you're feeling down).

I rarely get colds anymore, maybe once a year.

Puckhead

wow thanks for all the great advice a lot to consider i see while flying. Im almost 100% sure i got the cold from this girl I went out with....i start feeling bad then she says shes sick so i go...crap. Thanks for the advice I will have to put some of that to use ASAP.

the King

The most severe changes in atmospheric pressure that can cause sinus block below 5000 MSL. That's usually where you'll notice the block. So even on a training flight you can get in some serious pain.

kerns bbo

I carry Afrin in my flight case for emergencys. If I am on the road and my sinuses get clogged up it will do the trick for a leg or two. Any more than that and it can get painfull to fly. I would suggest just waiting it out especially if it isnt your job (read source of income).