Avoiding germs before holiday - impossible?!

[Cloud44]

Due to go away in a couple of weeks for a few days, so many people everywhere seem to have the lurgy at the moment! Knowing my luck I ll catch something just before we are due to go. I know it’s impossible to predict especially at this time of year but how do you try to avoid illness before the holidays?!

Literally impossible unless the whole family stays home until departure day. And even then you might catch something on the flight.

Your best bet is to keep your immune system healthy by getting enough sleep, eating well, Vit C , D and zinc. And handwashing.

Will keep fingers crossed! Do things like Sambucol / Coldzyme actually help the immune system?

You can’t! I was in the same boat this week.

I believe Vicks first defence spray (can buy in Boots and some supermarkets) works to catch cold virus in your nose in you have it and stops symptoms developing. I used it religiously one year and never got a cold despite working with small children. Might be anecdotal. Take zinc, vitamin D and C. Drink enough water and try and get some foods with ginger and garlic in. Likely you’ll be fine!

Proper rest, eat well, exercise, fresh air- the usual. I get ill next to never but last Christmas developed sinusitis which was horrific. One of the reasons I think I succumbed was being extremely run down. Obviously you can't avoid germs, they are literally everywhere, but you can support your body's ability to fight them.

I am also a fan of First Defence spray - stopped a lot ofmy colds getting too bad. Personally I avoid taking my kids to soft play or similar before a holiday, as they often seem to get ill from them, but I wouldn't completely hide away.

First Defence works really well if you take it when you think you’ve been exposed, rather than waiting until symptoms start. I carry it every time I go to the office and use it the minute I can tell someone has a cold. Haven’t come down with one for ages.

The sprays are supposed to work

wash your hands when you get in and before you eat and generally often

get enough sleep, keep stress down, vitamin d

avoid public transport, although if you have kids in school it probably won’t help

Someone I know swears by Metatone

Thank you everyone!

Honestly very hard to do. Maybe avoid small airless places that crowds gather like pubs and tiny coffee shops as much as possible. Avoid touching your face etc.
I guess you could use a facemask on buses etc

One thing I discovered was Ester-C 1000mg. Visited my family in NYC and every single household had a stinking cold/flu. Picked some up from the chemist and somehow avoided it for the whole trip! Stuff was a lifesaver! Also worth taking a probiotic a week before and while on holiday.

Probably a silly question but what’s an example of a good probiotic?

Something like 'Nutravita' has 60 billion Colony forming units and contains lactobacillus. It's very easy to take and doesn't need to be stored in fridge.