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.

Hi

I don't think your daughter has a cold. Shes's suffering chronic fatigue. It hit me when I was in Spain last year. After getting the trip planning done, finishing my work (I have a physical job), doing all the last minute house things, a long flight (3 stages) and then a hectic tour. I am very fit but it hit me nonetheless - very spooky! I started to improve when I spent more time resting. So what I advise is your daughter needs to chill out in her hotel more and take in plenty of fluids. Cut your itinerary/activities way, way down. Don't worry - she'll be better soon.

This isn't the answer for everyone but I definitely think that if she is tired, her body is telling her something. When we got colds recently while traveling, we had to go at half pace for many days. If we had felt worse, we would have bagged entire days. Listen to the body, it may be screaming for rest.

I swear by Zicam and never travel without it. But Ger's sugestion of the canadian medicine , Cold FX, is really spot on. Not only she but 2 other friends have recommended it.

I find if I use Saline nasal spray on the plane about every hour , I never come down with a cold, but if I don't or my DH doesn't we always end up with one.

I spray every hour and use the Zicam about twice on every flight...so far in the last 10 years no colds or airplane flu!

So sorry to hear about your daughter. My husband always gets a cold when we travel and the best thing he does is rest and drinks lots of liquids. Hopefully she will recover quickly. Good luck.

Besides seeming tired, what else are her symptoms? If it is stuffy nose and sneezing, Actifed or some other antihistamine usually works for me. ((*))

If your use of antihistamines results in the well-known &quot;bounce-back&quot; effect (<i>q.v.</i>) when you are flying home, you'll wish you'd died of the cold when your ears plug up.

Visit a pharmacy. I know in Switzerland I was able to buy some wonderful homeopathic remedies for colds and flu.

For food I would get liquids, broth based soup &amp; some kind of protein into her. And bed rest for at least one full day.

I absolutely agree that ZICAM is a miracle worker, but is best used at the moment when you start feeling like you're getting a cold. Doesn't do much once you've got the cold. My boss once gave me something called Occillacocinum (spelling might be a bit off, but it's VERY close to that.) He bought it in Europe and I believe it's now available in the US as well. You put these little sugar-like crystals on your tongue and allow them to dissolve. You immediately start feeling better...it's very strange, but totally worked for me. Good luck!

Sorry to say my daughter was not up to traveling around Berlin today. But she told me to go out and enjoy myself, because she could not! I was actually more tired than usual too, so maybe I have a touch of it also. The Mercure hotel where we are staying has a deal for a free kid´s breakfast with the purchase of an adult breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed mine, and she was able to eat a bit. We both had a nap after breakfast, and then I went out and did a few things. I phoned back to the hotel in the afternoon, and she was saying she thinks she will be up and around tomorrow. She is fully supplied with her CDs (brought from home), numerous books, and CNN in English. She will phone some friends using a telephone card in a little while. I felt a bit guilty being out enjoying myself, but she was fine with it. I am definitely going to look into those zinc and Vitamin C and ColdFX and Airborne suggestions (I will reread the thread in case I miss something).

Just remember that it is VIRAL (if it is in fact a simple cold) so don't waste ANY money on any sort of &quot;antibiotic.&quot;

All you can probably do now is treat the symptoms.

What I was talking about (I've found it both in Switzerland and natural remedies stores in the U.S.) is what The_Babs mentions... Occillacocinum (or close to that) crystals that go under your tongue.

Unfotunately, you will not be able to access it for this cold, but I do want to add my comments about the efficacy of Cold FX for future. I have not had a cold for two years since discovering this product. On occasions when I have felt the potential onset of symptoms I have used Cold Fx and stoppped the cold from developing. It is not as effective, I am told by friends, if beginning to take it after the full blow symptoms, but can still reduce the length and seveity. It is a ginseng derivitive, no stimulants etc. Fairly pricy but I would not be without it.

I hope that your daughter is soon recovered and that you do not get sick.

What is the active ingredient in &quot;Cold FX&quot;? Sounds like it may be zinc (similar to Zicam in the U.S.)?

From the Cold -fx website:

COLD-fX is a patented, highly purified natural product obtained from roots of North American ginseng.

The only &quot;cure&quot; that ever worked for me I learned from a housekeeper in Anguilla. She mixed up some sort of concoction in the morning after hearing me sniffle, sneeze and cough one morning. If I remember correctly, it consisted of rum, honey, and some sort of leaf muddled up with it (mint, maybe? doesn't sound right, but I just can't remember). She covered the glass with saran wrap and let it sit all day in the sun. I drank it that night and felt 1000 times better the next day. Maybe not the best remedy for a 15 year old, though.

As for Airborne, I have a friend who swears by it. She went to Italy with us earlier this year. At the airport, she plunked her Airborne tablets into the water as the rest of us all mocked her. Guess who got sick on the trip? Yep, she did! She missed two fantastic dinners due to that cold! Lying around in bed and some steam from a shower seemed to help, though.

Hi WT, just sending my good wishes for the rest of the trip. Hope the daughter recovers soon.

I keep a pack of Airborne in my purse at all times. At the first sign of fatigue that seems like it will turn into a cold put a tablet in a small amount of water and drink it. I use it on planes, on trips, at home, always at the first twinge of &quot;oh oh, oh no&quot; feeling that you feel it coming on or when you are going into an iffy environment.

All of my friends use it and it works!

www.airbornehealth.com

re Airborne: Sorry, but I think it is little more than snake oil in effervescent form. &quot;Created by a school teacher!&quot; the packaging exclaims. Whoa! What's next, a plasma TV designed by a farmer?...a heart valve invented by an accountant??? If it's actually a cure for the common cold, which has eluded those in modern medical research for decades, where are the results from double-blind clinical studies conducted by accredited institutions?

If the placebo effect makes people fell better, so be it -- but I hate to see them duped out of $8 (or whatever is costs) when they could just as easily drink a glass of water with a sugar cube in it for a lot less.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/sto...514&amp;page=1

http://whohastimeforthis.blogspot.co...l-teacher.html

Daughter is getting better, slower than she would like, but she has gone out twice today, with a nap in between. She was thrilled to go shopping today at the used clothing store called Garage on Ahornstrasse near Nollendorfplatz. The clothes cost 13.99 Euros per kilogram, and for just 14.27 Euros she was able to buy 4 nice dresses and a handbag. She is really into vintage clothing, so that was quite exciting.

you can forget the massive doses of vitamine C as there has never been and will never will be any scientific evidence that this works ona a common cold. rest. fluids and some type of medication to dry up a super runny nose is about all you can hope for