Falling sick and such ...

[SalsaManiac]

It seems to me that ever since I got serious about dancing, it has become easier for me to fall sick possibly because I am exposed so much more while dancing with different people. It's especially worse in smoking establishments since my body has a low tolerance for cigarette smoke. On average, I probably dance with at least 15 different people a night. However, I have noticed that a lot of the top dancers here tend to dance with a *very* select group of people (possibly not more than 5) a night and they seem to to be mostly fine all the time. I was just wondering what you guys do to help prevent the spread of germs and stuff.

Dancing with as many people as possible has really helped me improve my technique and styling but if the price to pay is falling sick on a regular basis, I might have to rethink things

--T

 

[noobster]

I started getting sick much more frequently after taking up salsa as well.

One of my salsa buddies carries Purell in his dance bag. You could try that. I've never asked him if he found it made a difference.

 

[quixotedlm]

It seems to me that ever since I got serious about dancing, it has become easier for me to fall sick possibly because I am exposed so much more while dancing with different people. It's especially worse in smoking establishments since my body has a low tolerance for cigarette smoke. On average, I probably dance with at least 15 different people a night. However, I have noticed that a lot of the top dancers here tend to dance with a *very* select group of people (possibly not more than 5) a night and they seem to to be mostly fine all the time. I was just wondering what you guys do to help prevent the spread of germs and stuff.

Hit the gym. Eat a high protein diet. That's it.

I don't every excuse myself from regular working out just because I dance a lot. I just let dancing account for the "I have an active lifestyle" part of it, and still gym regularly. It naturally heightens my immune system.

 

[thespina13]

Get enough sleep, too. Hydrate, wash your hands normally and frequently (disinfectant or sanitizer is ugly, as far as I'm concerned), get good sleep, eat WELL, and yeah, hit the gym. I concur. You want to make it so that you're not weakened by simply being exposed to lots of people. A normal human being should be able to withstand frequent contact with lots of other human beings. We're built for it. I would chalk your getting sick up to not just your increased contact with other people, but something that is not allowing you to be as resilient as you can be.

Also, I would consider getting adjusted by a good quality chiropractor. That's done wonders for my health. Notice I say "good quality". A lot of people take issue with chiropractic but if you have a very skilled and proficient one, it can really give your body the strength it needs to fight the things it comes in contact with daily.

 

[chachachacat]

I noticed that I got sick more when teaching more group classes, just from touching so many people. I always washed my hands before and after class, but everyone doesn't do that.

 

[sweavo]

I have never noticed this. Maybe it's cos I wash a lot, or maybe it's cos I keep my hands away from my mouth and eyes...

 

[Sagitta]

Not had that problem. I think that my good habits of eating well, getting lots of sleep, working out 3-4 times a week...helped. I actually get sick more often when my friend comes to stay for a while with her kids...such as in the summer.

 

[salsamale]

I got hit by a cold or some kind of bug for the first time in several years, and I had to take a break from salsa for about 2 weeks.

I think it was mostly due to carelessness: dancing with a partner who I know has a cold or some kind of bug, leaving the salsa club in a sopping sweat-soaked shirt, neglecting regular exercise routine, not taking any vitamins.

Now, I just try to be more careful.

 

[tj]

Yeah, I've had two pretty bad colds in the past 6 months and I think I caught them from fellow dancers. But I'd also say that my immune system at the time probably wasn't as strong as usual, too.

 

[SalsaManiac]

Lots of good advice here .. I had heard from some people that they were pretty paranoid about picking up germs so they would wash their hands pretty much after every dance. My immune system used to be able to take a lot of abuse but lately, it's been taking a real pounding mostly because of the smoke filled environment.

Also, what do you do if someone you know is *obviously* dealing with a cold or something and specifically asks you to dance? I think that has been part of my mistake because I am currently fighting something and this happened after a friend who had been sick as a dog asked me to dance as she was recovering.

--T

 

[tj]

Also, what do you do if someone you know is *obviously* dealing with a cold or something and specifically asks you to dance? I think that has been part of my mistake because I am currently fighting something and this happened after a friend who had been sick as a dog asked me to dance as she was recovering.

--T

Well, if I know she's potentially contagious, I'll make sure to quietly make a trip to the men's room and thoroughly wash my hands. (and in the meantime, keep my hands away from my face).

It's the cases where I had no idea that she was sick, that I think I end up getting exposed to the germs.

 

[Josh]

I know some folks don't believe in this stuff at all, but how about positive thinking? Some folks seem to will their way out of hospital beds, so why not imagine yourself being healthy the next day before you go dancing?

One thing's for sure--at the very best, maybe it works--at the very least, it can't hurt a single bit, and will likely help your mood. Go for it!

 

[dancedude314]

Lots of good advice here .. I had heard from some people that they were pretty paranoid about picking up germs so they would wash their hands pretty much after every dance. My immune system used to be able to take a lot of abuse but lately, it's been taking a real pounding mostly because of the smoke filled environment.

Also, what do you do if someone you know is *obviously* dealing with a cold or something and specifically asks you to dance? I think that has been part of my mistake because I am currently fighting something and this happened after a friend who had been sick as a dog asked me to dance as she was recovering.

--T

I think you're absolutely on the money when you mention the dangers of a smoke filled environment. I'm reminded of how my dad got sick after working long hours in an environment in which there was a lot of fake smoke. I don't know what the exact cause and effect relationship is--I would guess it breaks down the normal immune defenses in the nose and throat.

As far as multiple partners go, I think that's less of a danger. I dance with multiple partners, and eat and sleep poorly, but so far that hasn't been much of a problem. I think a good way to avoid getting sick from other people is to simply wash your hands right before you eat, and to avoid touching your eyes without washing your hands first.

 

[dancedude314]

I know some folks don't believe in this stuff at all, but how about positive thinking? Some folks seem to will their way out of hospital beds, so why not imagine yourself being healthy the next day before you go dancing?

One thing's for sure--at the very best, maybe it works--at the very least, it can't hurt a single bit, and will likely help your mood. Go for it!

For what it's worth, I'm a pretty negative guy, as most people here would agree, and so far I haven't caught a cold from it.

 

[quixotedlm]

re dancing with people with cold -

generally, when common cold is in its contagious phase, we are not showing much obvious symptoms. the general consensus seems to be that the contagious phase is about 2-3 days duration, and is before the person starts showing symptoms.

after that, if that person can take it, it's pretty much not a special source of contagion. so i never worry about being around people who are showing symptoms, or dancing with them. i've never picked up cold from dancing (even though i don't wash my hands during a dance, and only shower the next day morning).