how to not get sick after a congress?

thespina13

thespina13

New Member
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?
 
thespina13 said:
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?
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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. ;)
 
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.
 
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
 
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...
 
thespina13 said:
And yes, we did fly. That's always a good way to get sick.
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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.
 
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
 
Hand washing is a biggie

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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
alemana said:
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.
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I'd like to think I developed a bit of immunity myself from riding the Philly subways while growing up...LOL.
 
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