how to not get sick after a congress?

[thespina13]

Ok, my friend just came back from the SF congress and now he's sick. And I got sick after the Canada salsa congress. So what do you all do to prevent yourself from falling ill after dragging yourself through the salsa meat grinder?

[Tony_Salvi]

Ok, my friend just came back from the SF congress and now he's sick. And I got sick after the Canada salsa congress. So what do you all do to prevent yourself from falling ill after dragging yourself through the salsa meat grinder?



Never been to a congress...but maybe it's the lack of sleep. Sleep can keep your immunities high. But a lack of sleep can make you vulnerable to sickness. So I guess plenty of catnaps, and make sure to drink or eat plenty of Vitamin C.

Either that or be completely paranoid about every person you touch or come in contact with. Make them use sanitizer before a dance. And wear a mask over your face to filter out germs. Why stop there? Just stay in your room and don't dance with those filthy/germ infested/disease carrying salseros. ;)

[waltzgirl]

Did you or your friend fly to the congresses?

[Laura]

Drink plenty of fluids while at the congress -- I read somewhere that if you are dehydrated it's easier for germs to set up light housekeeping in your mucous membranes.

Wash your hands thoroughly, regularly, especially before eating and every time you go back to your room. Try not to touch your face during the congress.

Get plenty of sleep if possible.

Take something like Airborne or Emergen-C every morning when you get up and every night before you go to sleep, whether you need it or not.

Dress in layers so you don't get too hot or too chilled.

If someone seems sick, especially if they have a runny nose or are sneezing or coughing, either avoid dancing with them or wash your hands as soon as possible after touching them.

[thespina13]

That's good stuff, Laura, thanks.

And yes, we did fly. That's always a good way to get sick. I'm going to print out your response Laura and stuff it in my suitcase, lol

[quixotedlm]

Eat well. I went to the Seattle Salsa Congress this weekend, and there were several folks who went to SF congress last week who came here too. I danced as much as there was dancing, and did all the workshops I wanted to do. Luckily, I didn't have to fly. That said, good regular eating without worryign about extra carbs of weight helps aplenty... Also drink lots of water... If you drink coffee (I hope you do, otherwise you'd be hurting all day..), then for every cup of coffee you drink, drink 2-3 cups of water. Coffee is dehydrating...

[waltzgirl]

And yes, we did fly. That's always a good way to get sick.

I asked because I used to always get sick when I flew. Several years ago, I was flying about monthly and always sick until . . .

(thank goodness for anonymity)

I started wearing surgical-type masks on airplanes. I feel like an idiot and feel compelled to explain to my seatmates that I don't have anything contagious, but I haven't gotten sick from a plane flight since.

[Lucretia]

There are very good antibacterial washing fluids. I think they are based on some kind of alcohole. I guess you find it at the drogstore.

My sister told me that one handwash with this "soap" coressponds to 10 minutes washing with an ordinary one.

Since that - I use it after every class and every night out. My husband also use it (salsero too). It helps! We don't get sick as often as before.

/Luc

[naturallove]

I love dancing...but not the germs. Without being too crude, germs thrive in heat and humidity and all of the touching and lack of handwashing after the bathroom are a recipie for getting sick! You don't necessarily need any antibacterial soap, soap and water are fine. The main thing is to not touch the faucet or the bathroom door after washing your hands. As I said before, a lot of people don't wash their hands (or they just rinse) after using the restroom. I always turn off the faucet with an elbow or a paper towel and open the door with it as well. I know it sounds paranoid, but I don't get sick too often. Also, I try not to touch my face while I'm dancing or when I'm sweaty (but don't always succeed!). Again, that's how a lot of germs get transferred, I think.
As always, drinking water and getting plenty of rest is always a plus. HTH!

[tj]

I got sick after going to the Vancouver Congress a few years ago. I find that if I attend every workshop plus stay out all night dancing, it's a pretty good recipe to get sick. Probably more due to my immune system getting weaker rather than exposure to germs.

So I found that if I pick and choose what I want to do at a Congress rather than just trying everything, I'll usually stay healthy.

[GayleR]

I take ColdFx twice a day plus 1,000 mg of vitamin C, drink lots of water, wash my hands all the time, carry Purell and use it liberally and try not to dance with inconsiderate people who are visibly sick (coughing, sniffling). During the Toronto Congress, which was exhausting, I slept for about an hour in between the workshops and the evening events and that helped.

[alemana]

the bathroom handle-touching aversion functions to prevent the spread of e-coli and other nasties that proliferate where folks don't wash after using the toilet. it doesn't have much impact on the spread of the *common cold,* which is another animal. e-coli makes you have intestinal distress; the common cold is an upper-respiratory situation.

that's not to say that being circumspect about bathroom environments isn't a good thing. i have no opinion about that - the luxury of someone who rarely gets sick, probably. i could spend all winter licking the subway poles in new york and never feel a thing.

[naturallove]

the bathroom handle-touching aversion functions to prevent the spread of e-coli and other nasties that proliferate where folks don't wash after using the toilet. it doesn't have much impact on the spread of the *common cold,* which is another animal. e-coli makes you have intestinal distress; the common cold is an upper-respiratory situation.

that's not to say that being circumspect about bathroom environments isn't a good thing. i have no opinion about that - the luxury of someone who rarely gets sick, probably. i could spend all winter licking the subway poles in new york and never feel a thing.
I'd like to think I developed a bit of immunity myself from riding the Philly subways while growing up...LOL.

[alemana]

exactly :)

[englezul]

Wear a surgeon's mask and gloves. :)

[naturallove]

Wear a surgeon's mask and gloves. :)
You could just take it all the way and get one of those spacesuits they wear when some dread disease breaks out.:D

[quixotedlm]

the bathroom handle-touching aversion functions to prevent the spread of e-coli and other nasties that proliferate where folks don't wash after using the toilet. it doesn't have much impact on the spread of the *common cold,* which is another animal. e-coli makes you have intestinal distress; the common cold is an upper-respiratory situation.

that's not to say that being circumspect about bathroom environments isn't a good thing. i have no opinion about that - the luxury of someone who rarely gets sick, probably. i could spend all winter licking the subway poles in new york and never feel a thing.

If you are staying in the same hotel where the congress is being organized, it would be safest to go back to your room for all bathroom needs. If that's not easy, then at least go to a different floor in the hotel to use the facilities. It would be much cleaner, and less used (and therefore less chance of catching something).

[Sagitta]

hmmmm...never happened to me...I guess I inhale/absorb enough germs that I got a natural immunity. I do drink lots of liquids and I get plenty of sleep before and after as during I find it hard to sleep. Maybe that helps...

[noobster]

the bathroom handle-touching aversion functions to prevent the spread of e-coli and other nasties that proliferate where folks don't wash after using the toilet. it doesn't have much impact on the spread of the *common cold,* which is another animal. e-coli makes you have intestinal distress; the common cold is an upper-respiratory situation.Yeah but adenoviruses are pretty hardy and they do propagate on fomites like sink handles and people's hands.

On the other hand I am of the school of thought that holds that strengthening one's immune system function by exposure to nasties is a good thing.

I think the thing that most affects the likelihood of my falling ill is the amount of sleep I get. Salsa has definitely given me more frequent colds but I think it is because of the sleep deprivation. I have noticed that if I sleep for 9 hours at the very onset of a cold it will sometimes fail to develop any further. Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges can have this effect as well (demonstrated in randomized clinical trials; but you do have to start taking them as soon as you start to feel a little itch in your throat).

[samina]

the way i see it, it's normal to live in a bacterial & viral soup -- we touch and breathe and consume all kinds of living matter that our body is designed to simply process out of our system if its not useful. having a bacterium or virus in my body doesn't automatically mean i'll get sick -- allowing that little invader to make me sick would just be a failure of my immune system in doing its job.

so i figure the key is to focus on keeping my mind & body healthy and in balance and not worry about the details.

so i don't worry about germs & such. am more concerned about overall nutrition, getting enuf sleep, taking care of stress... all that good stuff. :)

but i can't stand when someone dances with me with dirty hands -- don't like the feeling of sticky grime at all. and if a guy's cheap cologne smell gets all over my hands, i have to go wash it pronto. eew...

[samina]

hmmmm...never happened to me...I guess I inhale/absorb enough germs that I got a natural immunity. I do drink lots of liquids and I get plenty of sleep before and after as during I find it hard to sleep. Maybe that helps...

yeah, sagitta... i think that's all key! :)

[squirrel]

I never fell sick after a congress... maybe it's got something to do with immunity.

[englezul]

the way i see it, it's normal to live in a bacterial & viral soup

Yeah, It's so funny when people are obsessed with bacteria and germs to the point they're spending so much time on uselessly trying to avoid it.

Germs?? Bring it on! My immune system loves WAR!!!

[samina]

Germs?? Bring it on! My immune system loves WAR!!!

:)

The truth is definitely "use it or lose it". I don't think "anti-bacterial" products do anyone a favor in the end. Our immune systems are designed to work, and if they aren't challenged by the small things, how are they going to handle the tougher jobs?

[tj]

:)

The truth is definitely "use it or lose it". I don't think "anti-bacterial" products do anyone a favor in the end. Our immune systems are designed to work, and if they aren't challenged by the small things, how are they going to handle the tougher jobs?

Well, plus another danger is that we're slowly breeding germs that are immune to our counter measures. (Mostly thinking antibiotics but still...)

Wasn't there a study that a leading cause of asthma for kids was that they weren't exposed to enough dirt and germs growing up?

[samina]

Well, plus another danger is that we're slowly breeding germs that are immune to our counter measures. (Mostly thinking antibiotics but still...)

Wasn't there a study that a leading cause of asthma for kids was that they weren't exposed to enough dirt and germs growing up?

Not sure about the study, but the statement would fit into my own view of things.

Also, to my way of thinking, a lot of what we are vulnerable to depends upon our belief -- both individually & collectively -- in what we are vulnerable to. There's the whole mind-body aspect of immunity which comes into play. Focus on being afraid of something and it seems to more readily find a "hook" in one's experience.

That's how it's worked out in my life, anyway -- I was able to use a mind-body approach to overcome a serious (bacteriological) illness. It seems to me that our immune systems are VERY sensitive to our states of mind, emotion, and belief, and I imagine that deeper scientific investigation would reveal that our bodies have the capability to produce enzymes that can both protect & heal.

[alemana]

i am always going on about how we're breeding bigger and meaner stuff with our silly preoccupation with germs, but i'm sure that's largely because i have a perhaps un-human immune system. if i were constantly getting sick and feeling like crap, i'd probably be the first one to buy stock in antibacterial soap and wrap myself in bubble wrap and surgical gauze every day.

[samina]

i'd probably be the first one to buy stock in antibacterial soap and wrap myself in bubble wrap and surgical gauze every day.

how many gross of stones d'ya think that costume would take?
;)

[Tasek]

Basically it's about balancing what you ask your body to do, and giving it the things it needs to do that.

During a congress you're putting a (much) bigger than normal strain on your body, give it the things it needs to sustain that load and recuperate from it; so eat well, probably more than you'd normally do, extra carbs for the extra energy you're using, extra protein to rebuild your muscles, more fruit and vegetables for the vitamins you need (or take vitamin pills). Get enough rest (if not during, then immediately after the congress).

And as other have pointed out, during a congress you'll interact closely with a lot of people, introducing many germs, again asking a bigger than normal effort from your immune system, so give it the things (vitamins, rest) it needs to deal with those germs.

[thespina13]

I'm not a freak about washing (I mean I don't go crazy trying to eliminate every last germ. I believe that's unhealthy...), but I DO believe that yers, nutrition and exhaustion are key in me and my friend falling ill. I think we push it too hard and wipe our bodies out. Happliy, I'm getting sick a LOT less now that I'm back in ALberta. Seems as if my body likes being back on home soil. I got sick a lot in Iowa. Just not used to the bugs out there I guess. Which indicates that close contact with anyone who's got sniffles from somewhere else would infect me more easily... this bod wouldn't have encountered that strain before. And with my sleep and food deprivation, it would't have had the chutzpah to knock that bug on its ass.

Next time I go to a congress, I'm going to sleep more, eat more, workshop less, practice the stuff I learn in fewer workshops with someone, and basically be smarter about pacing myself. Ooooh, but it's SO hard. Maybe it's worth it to get sick afterwards. I don't drop a grand and fly away from everyone to dance in MODERATION. All or nothing, baby! Dance or go home!

Cough cough.