Germs and sick people

[Flying_Corporal]

you can always put the oxygen mask and breath pure O2 whenever you're in the cockpit. Make sure you wipe it before you use it...

 

[I.P. Freley]

Interesting to find this thread after having seen "The Aviator" for the first time last night.

I guess the answer is to lock yourself in your home theater for a few months and wait for Ava Gardner to show up and give you a good shave. When in doubt, scrub your hands so hard that they bleed.

 

[hmmurdock]

After flying for a regional for a few weeks I learned a few things. The one I have a question about is, How the hell do you stay healthy? I have been sick twice with a cold and sore throat since starting. It is driving me nuts. The amount of people, knobs, yokes, handles, and shaking of hands is turning me into a germaphobe. I carry the alcohol deals, and need to pick up antibacterial lotion. Does anyone have any pointers ?

Greetings...

When I first started 4 years ago, I did get sick several times but it was mostly due to allergies, which then caused drainage loss of voice etc. Like others have said, take a one a day vitamin. I started taking those Emergen-C packets, you know, the ones that dissolve and fizz in water. I rarely get sick anymore, maybe once a year if even that. Also work out regularly, eat as healthy as possible, lots of stretching etc. Keeps the endorphines flowing, and good for what ails you.

Take Care

 

[121_Py-Lut]

cold-eeze (zinc drops)

 

[Ron Mexico]

I have some ideas on how to not LET everyone know you have herpies...lol

 

[Flechas]

I use disinfecting wipes on the controls every flight, but only if I have time, which most of the time I do, and I also drink lots of water and take multivitamins. Have been working here since october and haven't been sick yet. So I'm saving my sick time for a good vacation!!!

So much for this post, woke up feeling like sh!t today, took some medicine and got better, went to work and got worse, so had to call sick after a Guadalajara turn, and there goes my 4 day...

 

[LAXSaabdude]

Using my own headset as opposed to the company provided ones seems to help some.

LAXSaabdude.

 

[maddog805]

DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE. EVER. ONCE I STOPPED PICKING MY NOSE, NO MORE COLDS.

 

[AviatorTx]

Do NOT use company provided headsets. Period.

I bought my own years ago. I noticed my health improve immediately.

I always get a kick out of the guys that make it a point to wipe down the headsets with a cleaner before they put them on. The cleaner can NOT get the stuff that is culturing like a lab dish inside the little holes or foam piece on the end of the microphone. What a great visual... You then put that microphone up to your lips. Can you say herpes?

 

[Ron Mexico]

I can!!!!lol

 

[Regional4life]

A true pilot knows that the only way to kill germs is through alcohol. I had the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**s once for 3 days straight. Couldn't get off the toilet to save my life. Finally said **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** it and started drinking (It was New Years Eve after all) and within 30 minutes of that first cocktail BAM!!! Cured!!! The higher the proof, the quicker the cure. Shut up. Quit being panzies. Drink more.

 

[CubanSmoker]

Do NOT use company provided headsets. Period.

I bought my own years ago. I noticed my health improve immediately.

I couldn't agree more. Wearing a company headset (it's nice that they supply them) in my opinion is worse than wearing a hat that stays with the airplane and is worn by everyone that flies it. Plus the fact that everyone is making out with that microphone? That's just as nasty as some of our FA's!

I crawled in to the ol' Avro one summer day in MEM and saw the issued headset hanging there in the 120 degree plus heat with a torn ear pad. Underneath it was a plastic grid that covers the little speaker and it was caked with this brown waxy stuff that smelled like dead fish and B.O.. From that point on, I used my trusty Telex 850's. It's quieter and I'm just getting my own germs over and over. And I haven't been sick since. It might be coincidence, but you have to agree that company headsets are nasty and might not help your immune system when you're on the edge of getting sick.

 

[Stinkbug]

The answer to fewer sick calls and less time in the doctor's office is to strengthen the immune system. Check out the website in my tag line. Yes, it's a shameless plug, but this thread is pertinent...I have had the same problem ever since I started flying. I get sick like clockwork every spring and every fall. The company I represent in my spare time has a product called Transfer Factor that is a very powerful immune-system builder. This stuff is very impressive and well-documented. Visit the site and shoot me an email if you'd like more info.