PeopleMover

Since my career started with a 121 regional, I have gotten sick more times than I ever have. In the last year and a half I think I have gotten a cold/flu/fever/strep throat/sinus infec/ whatever about 4-5 times. Before this job I would get a cold maybe once every 2 years. What are some of the tricks you guys use to keep from getting sick so often? Thank!

rickair7777

It's pretty common to get sick more, there are so many things going against you...

- Constant exposure to filthy, diseased pax.
- Deydration (HUGE impact on the immune system)
- Sleep disruption...even 2-3 times zones can take you down a notch.
- Poor diet on the road
- Lack of exercise
- High cabin Altitude (unless you live in DEN and are used to it)
- Noise exposure (tires you out).

This one is strongly suspected, but not proven:

- Sun exposure: Fortunately the windows block UVB (cancer), but UVA gets through, which is suspected of causing pre-mature skin aging and weakening the immune system. UVA is not known to cause cancer.


I've adopted a lot of preventative measures, and now I only get sick once a year and usually not bad enough to call in sick. It used to be 1-2 per month in the winter. Remember, the cold virus is so common that you can't really avoid it...all you can do is minimize how much gets in your system and keep the immune system boosted.

Here's what I do:

-Avoid touching things that pax touch (handrails, door handles, etc)
-Wipe down the cockpit when you swap airplanes.
-Wash your hands a LOT, at every opportunity.
-Don't touch your face during the work day.
-I use sunblock for daytime flights.
-Use earplugs or ANR headsets (NOTICABLE fatigue reduction in a CRJ).
-Drink as much water as you can. I time it so I hit the lav on turns.
-Eat better, pack fruits or other healthy stuff.
-Exercise routinely. I try to do it on the road, but not if I'm really beat...good way to get a cold.
-Get the flu shot early.
- Carry Cold-eeze or other zinc lozenges...use them whenever you even think you might be getting a cold. They work pre-emptively...say if your CA has a cold.

Sure way to get sick: Fly, work-out, and drink on the same day. Any two, but not all three.

This all seems like a nuisance, but it's second-nature to me now and my quality of life is better.

dannolars

I like the idea of working out wherever you are. Even if it just a run on the treadmill. I have been sick only a couple of times over the past 8 years, and I think it is that and washing my hands. Of course, before I wash my hands I try to shake every passenger's hand and then lick my palm. It really builds the immunity up. You should try it.

PeopleMover

Thanks a bunch guys

kalyx522

I haven't been sick at all since I started flying for a regional a year ago. But I'm religious about washing my hands frequently. It's really gross how people go to the bathroom and don't wash their hands afterwards and then go about the rest of the day (touching door handle, computer mouse/keyboard, shaking hands, working in the cockpit, etc.) Even if YOU washed your hands after the toilet, someone before you might not have, and if you touch a door handle that the other person touched, you inherit his grossness! It sounds OCD, but I think this is where OCD really pays off.
I have gotten mildly ill (nausea, headache and tiredness) from deadheading on noisy turboprops and now I never travel without ear plugs.

flightfreak86

Thanks for the tips.

Pilotpip

Exercise, lots of water, vitamins and watching what you eat go a long way.

I make it a point to drink enough water that I have to go after every leg. No joke.