Beating a cold when traveling?
 

My daughter and I were having a great time in Edinburgh, but I think she ran herself ragged. She was feeling ill last night before we flew this morning to Berlin, and she has not left the hotel since we arrived. I did splurge on a cab given her condition.

Obviously if she gets sicker, we will see a doctor (and we have travel insurance), but I just wanted some traveler tips for getting over a cold or at least ways to ignore it. She is not feverish, just seems tired. Also, what are your thoughts on eating or not eating when sick? So far today (and it is now 10 PM), she has had one banana, a glass of orange juice, about one noodle in cheese sauce, and a cherry tomato. She is 15.

I am hopeful she will be up to going out a bit tomorrow.

Hi WillTravel, sorry about your daughter, that is not fun. I personally have never found anything to help me get over a cold except for time, lots of rest, liquids (water, orange juice, chicken broth etc). You might go to a pharmacy Monday, it seems (at least in Italy) the pharmacy's are great when it comes to helping with medical issues. Let us know how she is doing!

I have succeeded beating a cold a couple of times by taking a sauna before going to sleep. Three times for 10 to 15 minutes with about half an hour of rest in between. Afterwards straight on to bed. Does your hotel have a sauna?
It is important, however, that she does not have a fever yet.

Been there; not fun. This is what the Doctor told me to do: don't push it, but it is important to get some fresh air. If out, wear warm clothes and do not exposed yourself too much to the elements, including strong breeze. The old remedy DRINK PLENTY FLUIDS is incredibly important and true, better yet, warm fluids (soups, tea). Stay away from smoke. Definitely some nourishment is critical, not sure tomato (a bit acidic) is a good choice. Fresh bread, noodles, soup, and warm tea with honey worked for me. I wouldn't wait to get worse to see a Doctor, have her checked. I flew with a cold to Spain once and by the time I checked in at the hotel it was bronchitis. The hotel sent a Doctor within a couple of hours, who saved my vacation with the advice above and prescription antibiotics. Hope it all works out well, best wishes to you both.

That "feed a fever and starve a cold" (or its exact oposite) has been around for decades.

Since colds are caused by viruses and not the temperature, etc., etc., all you can reasonably do is treat symptoms.

Some swear by high doses of Vit C as a preventative.

Believe me, if any of the so-called "cures" were proven someone would have marketed them long ago.

The only thing you can do to "beat" a cold is wait 10 days for it to go away.

Of course, that is no comfort when you are on holiday. If your daughter needs time off to just sleep more, you will just have to adjust your plans.

Sorry about your daughter's cold. Can only repeat what others have said about rest, liquids, vitamin C.

I used to get colds every time I flew (airplanes are full of germs). Then I started taking Airborne before boarding the plane, and it has worked for me every time. Keep this in mind for future travel.

Oh, it's rotten traveling when you have a cold. I've been there. Last year, when I came down with colds at home, I discovered hydrogen peroxide. You mix it with water (one part each), and use it as a gargle. It will help kill the germs in the mouth. Also, sanitizing your toothbrushes helps (although that's hard to do when you're traveling. I often put them in the dishwasher at home). Take care....

How I treat a cold: Drink a lot of water, try to get more sleep than usual. If I'm out and about, avoid being anywhere near smokers and try to avoid vehicle exhaust and other air pollution. Follow my inclinations about eating; eat if I want to, don't if I don't. At home I'd drink tea and keep making soups, and I'd add hot pepper to the soups.

Some "cures" don't get marketed because no one would make any money off them.

Like HSV, I have had very good success with getting rid of colds quickly with heat. When I lived at the beach, I would go lay in the sun and bake, and it worked many times. For your daughter, I suggest one day of complete rest in bed, with several episodes of heat (a hot bath, if no sauna is available). And lots of liquids, of course. But don't make her get up and walk around with you---a day of complete rest early on can make all the difference.

Ask a pharmacist about the equivalent of TheraFlu, which will at least make your poor daughter feel a bit better.

I have had consistently good results with massive doses of chewable Vitamin C and force fluids (as much as you can tolerate).

In addition to fluids, hot showers, and rest I find that a saline nasal spray decreases the risk of a cold becoming a sinus infection for me.

Since she'll be stuck in the room recovering I'd get her some treats to cheer her up (magazines, music, coloring pencils/pad, etc.) If I recall she's a Belle & Sebastian fan? If so, tell her to crank Song for Sunshine. I hope she feels better fast!

So sorry to hear about your daughter's cold. It's really horrible to get sick on a trip. My husband came down with a nasty cold two days before we left Paris. It was cold and drizzly so that didn't help plus he got rundown so that pushed it over the edge. We always walk with cold remedies so he was able to down Sudafed and Tylenol. But nothing really helped. The only good thing was that we were almost ready to leave. The 10.5 hour flight was not good at all for him.

I don't know how you can explain to the pharmacists about a Theraflu substitute, but if they can understand what you need and if there is a substitute available that would be good. Otherwise, your daughter should rest as much as possible and drink alot of water and hot tea. Eating is fine if she is feeling up to it. Perhaps she should eat light meals like soups. Good luck.

I think Cold-eez (sp?) really helps. They may not have that brand name, but it's a zinc tablet that you suck on it, like a cough drop. Supposedly minimizes the symptoms and shortens the duration of colds. It's important to take it as soon as possible after the onset of a cold. I've had tremendous luck with it. If you can get it, give it a try.
Karen

Note about Theraflu: I would not take it during the day as it is very potent and will knock you out. For sleeping at night it is great.

Please note that often pharmacists in Europe can distribute medications that require a prescription at home.

After enduring a shivering fever for two days in London once, I prepare now for every trip by force-hydrating two days running before a flight and doubling up on the zinc and C tablets a week before and during the travel. In London I finally crawled out to get some LemSip (like TheraFlu I think) -- you'll be able to find something like it in Germany. Hope your girl rebounds quickly.

To the above I would add, the germs are always around; when our resistance is down they attack. So beefing up her resistance and treating the symptoms makes sense to me. For the former, a day or two of rest, soup/tea/lots of liquids, preferably warm, and warm shower/bath with steam (to keep things moist); for the latter, over the counter cold remedies (dayquil, nyquil (which are available in geltabs), sudafed types, and a gentle schedule for the next couple of days.

Sorry to hear this WillTravel - I can't count the number of times I have been ill with the 'flu in Europe when on business trips. I remember two weekends in Paris, where I couldn't even leave the room I was so sick.

I agree with massive doses of Vitamin C, lots of fluids and rest.

For future reference, I have found a miracle drug to ward off colds and 'flu’s before/during travel: COLD FX. Its available in Canada, OTC, from drug stores, health food shops and Costco. You can buy a container-load or individual dose cards. You take three pills, three times a day on the first day, two pills, three times a day the second day, one, three times a day on the third day. It’s a prophylactic drug, based on Chinese medicine (according to my Chinese acupuncturist). I am not sure if it available in the US, but I am sure you can order it off the ‘net. I can certainly attest to its effectiveness and I am a good test case, as I fly to Europe every 3-4 weeks. Before taking it, I inevitably caught some bug, either on the way out or the way back. Since I started taking this, before my outbound flight, over a year ago, I have never had as much as a sniffle.

http://www.cold-fx.com/index.htm

Check it out and decide for yourself – I am not a doctor, so you should talk to your doctor. I have no idea if it will improve and existing infection.

Hoping your daughter gets better soon.

Regards Ger

I have had good results with a OTC med called Zicam. It comes in several forms here in the USA...When I feel like I am coming down with a cold I use the individual swabs which you apply to the inside of each nasal passage as directed.