Duksrule

As I am getting over the flu I am wondering what all of you do to stay healthy while interacting with all the different germs and bugs on a daily basis. Lots of Vitamin C? What else do you all do?

I take V-C, wash hands like I have OCD and get a flu shot but always seem to get sick at least once a year.

Dark Knight

Awesome new thread!
I'm always leary of flu shots. I try frequent handwashing and steering clear of people that come to work sick. But like you, I can't avoid it. I asked about a pneumonia vaccination, but at younger than 50 its a waste.

Duksrule

One of my problems it that I somehow have gotten seasonal allergies in my old age (40). So when my sinuses start acting up it almost always turns into a chest infection. I have tried Claritin and another allergy med but no luck.

surfnski

I always carry hand sanitizer on the C-17 and I use Ocean brand saline spray to keep my nostrils hydrated. Oh, and don't touch your face. Cut down on my colds by 80%.

LowSlowT2

Why not get dirty, get a few colds, build up some immunity. This obsessive hand washing is making things worse, IMO. I grew up never washing my hands, eating with grease on my fingers, setting my food down wherever, drinking out of a garden hose or a "cleared" mud puddle and I never get sick. I drink the water and eat the local food all over the world and don't get sick. Everyone gets sick for two weeks and the worst for me is I might feel poorly for a day or so.

We've become terrified of germs. We sterilize anything that comes within 50ft of a baby and don't let their immune system develop properly. Then we wonder why our kids are sick all the time.

I stay healthy by not being paranoid about getting sick. I'm in reasonable shape for a 45 year old - I run about 3 miles a few times a week and try to keep my weight under control. But I drink the water and eat the local food world wide...and I'm not talking 5-star hotels, I'm talking street vendors. I don't get sick.

It's our society and culture that makes us sickly...quit washing your hands so damn much!

CaptainCarl

Hear, hear! I agree with everything you said... [public service announcement]however, on the washing hands thing, don't be the guy who goes into a public restroom, whips out his unit, do his thing, shakes, zips up and walks out without at least running some water over his hands. I don't say this because I care about this man's health (I don't), I say it because I don't want to second-hand touch your junk when you shake my hand. [/public service announcement]

HSLD

My office is filthy and located just forward of a flying porta-potty. I used to get sick all the time as a new hire as my body acclimated to working in a petri dish. After 20 years of doing battle at a microbial level, I don't get sick nearly as much.

Radials Rule

Yeah, I pretty much agree. But, would you brush your teeth with or drink the tap water in Kinshasa or Malabo? If so, you're a braver man than me.

LowSlowT2

Hell, I think if you're worried about germs, you'd wash your hands BEFORE you had your slash...you know where your junk has been, you have no clue where your hands have been or what they've touched!


When I'm in a really hostile germ place, I go lightly - I may brush my teeth and wait a day to see before I try the ice in a drink....or drink the water. The water has to pass the vis/smell test first though! Some places don't!

tomgoodman

After a few years of flying DC-9s, the pilot developed a ferocious immune system. Most germs would keel over dead if they got within three feet of him, and the coffee would kill any that survived.