Airplanes and the Flu

[6miths]

I think a lot of it depends on your personal constitution. I traveled a ton over the last decade, probably over 1,000 flights, and rarely got sick. I think only maybe one or two times that I attributed to travel exposure. Same for my co-workers.

Theoretically, a lot of exposure increases your immune system. So if you are a rare traveler you probably should take more precautions than someone who travels a lot.

I never messed with alcohol wipes and only did normal hand washing, but I did always turn the air vent on full blast in front of my face. Of course business travel during the week usually has fewer sick kids on the plane.

Agree. Fly fairly frequently and don't really do anything special. Feel fortunate to have never gotten much of anything after traveling. Off to Africa again in a few weeks so I probably shouldn't jinx it.

 

[USGrant1962]

Another advantage of the anti-viral or surgical masks is that you look pretty weird, and if you're on a flight where you pick your seat on the plane most people won't want to sit next to you. Some coughing and sniffing can also help leave an open seat between you and other people.

Nice, I might try that next time if fly SouthWest!

 

[Winemaker]

In the long run, we are all dead. No flu shots, wash hands a lot, don't pick nose, keep hands from face, no problem.

 

[sirsavesalot]

I respect Dr. John Bergman very much. He's an incredible man that really wants to help people. Just watch some of his other videos.

Here's his take of the flu vaccine:

 

[Lsbcal]

Bring a little bottle of hand sanitizer and use it frequently.

That is what we do. Bought a bunch of 1oz Purell bottles off of Amazon.

Then you have to remember to use the stuff. Not always easy with the distractions in an airport and plane.

 

[REWahoo]

I respect Dr. John Bergman very much. He's an incredible man that really wants to help people.

As a reminder to those who don't know, he is a chiropractor who also wants to make a buck selling you his alternative theory of medicine.

 

[Rianne]

I just bought masks for DH and me on Amazon. I would not typically do this, but this season is particularly severe. I may not embarrass myself if everyone seems healthy sitting close by, but I hear a whooping cough of any kind or someone drastically sniffing and blowing into kleenex, on it goes.

There are healthy people dying of this thing, in the US. Usually it's the very elderly or babies with compromised immune systems. And to make things worse, there is a shortage of IV bags in the hospitals for IV fluids.

 

[CaptTom]

I respect Dr. John Bergman very much. He's an incredible man that really wants to help people.

He's a chiropractor, NOT an MD.

I prefer to get my advice from people who are actually qualified in the field in which they sell their products.

I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I've seen the victims of these chiropractor scam artists. Their MO is the same; promise miracle cures for incurable or chronic illnesses and conditions, sell all kinds of snake-oil and "treatments" which don't require an MD license, write books and quote "experts" who are also scammers.

The one DW went to wanted over $10K for a scam "treatment." Paid up front, with no refund if it didn't work. The argument went like this: "Real medical doctors can't cure your condition, what have you got to lose giving your money to me?" A sure hook for desperate people! It was exactly the type of high-pressure sales pitches we'd heard from timeshare and used-car salesmen. We passed.

Two other friends weren't so lucky. One passed away from the underlying illness that the scammer couldn't cure, the other realized it was a scam after paying and stopped going.

I could write a book on this scam (maybe I should!) but I'll stop there out of respect for those who want to believe.

I should add, I know an honest chiropractor well, and a couple more casually. I'm NOT anti-chiropractic! Only against those who use that qualification to masquerade as MDs.

 

[MRG]

He's a chiropractor, NOT an MD.

I prefer to get my advice from people who are actually qualified in the field in which they sell their products.

I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I've seen the victims of these chiropractor scam artists. Their MO is the same; promise miracle cures for incurable or chronic illnesses and conditions, sell all kinds of snake-oil and "treatments" which don't require an MD license, write books and quote "experts" who are also scammers.

The one DW went to wanted over $10K for a scam "treatment." Paid up front, with no refund if it didn't work. The argument went like this: "Real medical doctors can't cure your condition, what have you got to lose giving your money to me?" A sure hook for desperate people! It was exactly the type of high-pressure sales pitches we'd heard from timeshare and used-car salesmen. We passed.

Two other friends weren't so lucky. One passed away from the underlying illness that the scammer couldn't cure, the other realized it was a scam after paying and stopped going.

I could write a book on this scam (maybe I should!) but I'll stop there out of respect for those who want to believe.

I should add, I know an honest chiropractor well, and a couple more casually. I'm NOT anti-chiropractic! Only against those who use that qualification to masquerade as MDs.

+100000

We lost a good friend to a very treatable cancer. She believed a chiro and a faith healer. The adjusted, supplemented, and prayed. She did the hard part of dying.

 

[sengsational]

I never understood why people think wiping down surfaces is going to do much. From what I read, scrupulous hand washing and not touching your own face only reduces contracting disease by 40% at most. Wiping down can't hurt, but aiming the air nozzle is probably the most important thing. Too bad there's the weirdness factor for wearing a mask.

 

[redduck]

I respect Dr. John Bergman very much. He's an incredible man that really wants to help people....

What makes you think John Bergman, D.C. is so incredible?

 

[Meadbh]

I just bought masks for DH and me on Amazon. I would not typically do this, but this season is particularly severe. I may not embarrass myself if everyone seems healthy sitting close by, but I hear a whooping cough of any kind or someone drastically sniffing and blowing into kleenex, on it goes.

There are healthy people dying of this thing, in the US. Usually it's the very elderly or babies with compromised immune systems. And to make things worse, there is a shortage of IV bags in the hospitals for IV fluids.

When SARS was in full swing, I had to fly across Canada for a conference. I had one flight connection. I bought standard surgical masks and used them everywhere. I did not get SARS, but I picked up a particularly rotten cold that caused me to miss part of the conference.

Perhaps I should have bought N95 masks (which have to be fitted).

 

[mystang52]

I never understood why people think wiping down surfaces is going to do much. From what I read, scrupulous hand washing and not touching your own face only reduces contracting disease by 40% at most. Wiping down can't hurt, but aiming the air nozzle is probably the most important thing. Too bad there's the weirdness factor for wearing a mask.

My viewpoint is not that doing these things guarantees I won't catch something. Rather, I'm increasing my odds of protection. I do similar things at restaurants for the same reason of just improving my odds.

 

[ivinsfan]

Just saw the CDC is saying the flu has peaked for the season..an early peak this year.

Good News!

 

[gerntz]

Scary & worry aren't part of my makeup. Better things to do.

 

[sengsational]

One thing not mentioned yet is Zinc Gluconate. Used to be Zicam was the thing. Now most things branded with Zicam aren't zinc gluconate any more. But you can get TheraZinc. I personally believe that having this stuff on your soft pallet helps fend off the cold viruses you're bound to be breathing in those close quarters of the aircraft. I spray it in my mouth while saying "aaahh", so it goes back there and hits the place where my colds usually start.

 

[Scrapr]

When SARS was in full swing, I had to fly across Canada for a conference. I had one flight connection. I bought standard surgical masks and used them everywhere. I did not get SARS, but I picked up a particularly rotten cold that caused me to miss part of the conference.

Perhaps I should have bought N95 masks (which have to be fitted).

N95 are a step up from particulate masks

I think you are thinking about respirators. You won't have anyone within 10' if you walk on with this. Under your breath whisper...EBOLA

 

[HadEnuff]

DW and I are flying from NY State to Hawaii next month. My plan is to wear a mask, take lots of vitamins, get lots of sleep, and hope.

 

[sengsational]

N95 are a step up from particulate masks

Was surprised to get a mask labeled "N95" for Christmas this year.

My cousin, a 3M shareholder, usually sends us a 3M "goody box", which has all kinds of great stuff in it that 3M makes.

This year, it had this mask. Notice that it has an aluminum thing to fit it firmly around your nose. I used the mask as a particulate filter when I was doing a bit of wood working and noticed that the straps were kind of digging into the tops of my ears, and it was really tight on my face. So not real comfortable.

I'm kind of surprised that a "cheap mask" got the certification.

 

[sirsavesalot]

He's a chiropractor, NOT an MD.

I prefer to get my advice from people who are actually qualified in the field in which they sell their products.

I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I've seen the victims of these chiropractor scam artists. Their MO is the same; promise miracle cures for incurable or chronic illnesses and conditions, sell all kinds of snake-oil and "treatments" which don't require an MD license, write books and quote "experts" who are also scammers.

The one DW went to wanted over $10K for a scam "treatment." Paid up front, with no refund if it didn't work. The argument went like this: "Real medical doctors can't cure your condition, what have you got to lose giving your money to me?" A sure hook for desperate people! It was exactly the type of high-pressure sales pitches we'd heard from timeshare and used-car salesmen. We passed.

Two other friends weren't so lucky. One passed away from the underlying illness that the scammer couldn't cure, the other realized it was a scam after paying and stopped going.

I could write a book on this scam (maybe I should!) but I'll stop there out of respect for those who want to believe.

I should add, I know an honest chiropractor well, and a couple more casually. I'm NOT anti-chiropractic! Only against those who use that qualification to masquerade as MDs.

My grandmother DIED because of a chiropractor. There are good ones, and there are bad ones. Another chiropractor CURED my wife's bipolar, which was extreme. She had tried every pharma drug you can imagine. He's a friend, and he asked if we had ever heard of Pyroluria. We got her tested through an online lab called DHA Laboratories, and she tested positive for it. It's a hemoglobin synthesis blood disorder that modern medicine dismisses as real, only, it IS real. The problem with it? You can manage it with a few over the counter supplements. Big pharma doesn't like that! When hemoglobin is formed, there's a byproduct called a kryptopyrole. It has an affinity to bind with zinc and vitamin B6, both important cofactors in many body processes. Of most importance in affecting mental health, you need B6 to convert tryptophan into serotonin. Serotonin is your "feel good" neurotrasmitter. When it's low, you're depressed. Well, folks that have this blood disorder (which experts think about 10% of the population does) excrete a large amount of zinc and B6 out of their urine so it's not bioavailable. Supplement with zinc and B6 and your mental health problems disappear. Seriously, a few days after she started supplementing she was totally normal. A few days before that, and she shattered a picture frame on our wall with her hand, getting shards of glass stuck in her. I'm not kidding.

I see where you guys think Dr. Bergman is a quack, but I ask you just watch the video. I checked a few of his sited sources and they checked out. I've watched many of his other videos and he seems to be a very compassionate, intelligent individual that's not trying to sell you anything.

 

[Meadbh]

N95 are a step up from particulate masks

I think you are thinking about respirators. You won't have anyone within 10' if you walk on with this. Under your breath whisper...EBOLA

Thank you, as a former healthcare professional who was fitted for an N95 mask as part of my work, I’m quite familiar with them. They do not resemble your photograph.

 

[sengsational]

I see where you guys think Dr. Bergman is a quack, but I ask you just watch the video. I checked a few of his sited sources and they checked out. I've watched many of his other videos and he seems to be a very compassionate, intelligent individual that's not trying to sell you anything.

You're asking people to watch an hour long video of a guy who seems like a used car salesman (to me anyway). Not going to happen. Maybe you could summarize his arguments for us? I think that the only people who're going to watch that whole thing are people who want to solidify their position against getting a flu shot.

I watched the first few minutes, then I skipped through and listened to a few more random parts.

I'll summarize what I learned: his basic message is that flu shots are a scam. He was leading up to some kind of corporate profit incentive rather than public health incentive, but his presentation style and content seems to be less than definitive. Like every big business / big government thing, there's probably some truth that some players more concerned with profit than public health. So what. Some company figured out how to tap the treasury. Ho hum. Them, and just about every other industry group.

The presentation style is certainly that of a snake oil salesman; rather than layout that structure of his argument, he bounces around, quoting a few "surprising things" here and there.

Some people want to hear this stuff. Especially people with autistic kids. This guy is telling them what they want to hear.

 

[sirsavesalot]

Straight from the US National Library of Medicine:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20614424

 

[REWahoo]

I'll save everyone from having to click on the blind link above and provide a summary. It is a one-page abstract published in 2010 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) entitled "Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults".

BACKGROUND:
Different types of influenza vaccines are currently produced worldwide. Healthy adults are presently targeted mainly in North America.

OBJECTIVES:
Identify, retrieve and assess all studies evaluating the effects of vaccines against influenza in healthy adults.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:
Influenza vaccines have a modest effect in reducing influenza symptoms and working days lost. There is no evidence that they affect complications, such as pneumonia, or transmission.

 

[Gumby]

Scary & worry aren't part of my makeup. Better things to do.

Me neither. This past Sunday, I spent 24 hours getting from Hartford CT to St. Louis. We took 4 planes and and passed through 6 different airports (BDL, PHL, CLE, FWA, ORD, STL). I was concerned about making it to Missouri in time for the funeral that prompted my trip, but I didn't once think about the possibility of contracting an illness along the way.