THE SIDE EFFECTS OF LIFE – Germs!

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11-15-germs-blogGERMS TRAVEL FAST

Thanksgiving is the holiday that could really bug you. It is the most traveled day of the year. Denver International Airport is the 15th-busiest airport in the world and the fifth-busiest airport in the United States. With more than 52 million passengers traveling through the airport each year, DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world’s largest aviation market. DIA is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado; generating more than $26 billion for the region annually. The trend for the past couple of years has shown an average of one million passengers traveling through the airport from Tuesday through Monday of the holiday week. Just think of getting into the airport. Think of all the people who are determined to get where they’re going no matter how sick they are. Think of everything you touch. Like airport drinking buttons. Think of the people from around the world carrying who knows what. The whole process is a precursor to the aged of actually getting on the plane.

LOCKED INSIDE AND NOWHERE TO GO

The ability of influenza to spread on aircraft has been well documented. You’re about to walk into long, metal, cold and flu incubators ready to play with your health. There’s no turning back, and when the door closes and the last device is turned off, you’re stuck. A combination of the low humidity on the flight, which dries up the natural defense mechanism offered by mucus, and a lot of strange people from around the world having packed any number of pathogens. And think how many passengers are cramped in there with you. The number of seats has ranged from 140 or so on a 737 while the largest number of passengers on an airplane was set on a Boeing 747 as part of Operation Solomon during which the aircraft carried 1,086 passengers from Ethiopia to Israel. The plane landed with two extra passengers as a result of two babies being born on the flight!

IT’S NASTY

You’re at 37,000 feet and you hear it—a big, wet, sneeze. You look around and it seems everywhere people are blowing their noses. The truth is, the increased risk of catching a cold is 100 times higher than not flying,

People sitting in a confined space for extended periods of time increases the risk of transmission of a host of airborne infections. Bacteria are everywhere. The longer the flight, the more risk.

DON’T TOUCH THAT

It’s all pretty “iffy” but there are some things in the plane that carry more germs than others. These include:

  • Plastic tray tables
  • Overhead air vents
  • Lavatory flush buttons
  • Seat belt buckles
  • Bath stall locks
  • Armrests
  • Window shades
  • Seat pocket cloth
  • Even leather.
  • Whoa.

Even though planes are regularly cleaned, you have to ask yourself to what extent. Some pathogens including e-coli can stay on things for days. In increasing numbers, people are wearing hospital masks, bringing antibacterial wipes, and wiping down every surface they can. They are asking for window seats instead of aisles where you have to touch more seat backs to make it to the bathroom. You do what you can. But no one’s immune to everything.

WHEREVER YOU’RE GOING, THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN BE GRATEFUL FOR. DENVER HORMONE HEALTH AND STEPHEN GOLDSTEIN M.D.. IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK OUT ANY HORMONE IMBALANCES OR VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES BEFORE YOU GO, AND IF INDICATED, GET A TAILORED TREATMENT TO DO AS MUCH FOR YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AS POSSIBLE. IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO SEE DR. GOLDSTEIN WHEN YOU RETURN TO SEE IF YOUR TRIP HAD ANY NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH THAT CAN BE RESOLVED WITH ANOTHER TREATMENT THAT WILL HELP YOU CELEBRATE YOUR GOOD HEALTH.

SO CALL NOW OR REQUEST MORE INFORMATION.

In early 2016 we will be providing a vitamin IV that you can come and do prior to travel. For now it is recommended to bring hand sanitizer and clorox wipes, take vitamin C, echinacea, zinc and iodine supplements prior to travel and stay hydrated.