The last 3 times I’ve been to Vegas I’ve gotten pretty sick. Each time I get some kind of upper respiratory infection. It seems to me like the smoke from the casinos is what is getting me sick but I wasn’t 100% sure. I once saw late night infomercial for a pill that was supposed to protect you from “smoke allergies” but I didn’t write down the information and cannot find anything on the internet about it.
Today I went to a website called JustAnswer.com and for $9 a medical “expert” gave me some pretty good advise.
There may be several factors contributing to your respiratory illness including allergies, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, repeated close contact with multiple people (some with questionable health and hand washing practices), and touching money and chips repeatedly. A respiratory tract, already irritated by smoke and other allergens, weakened by an abrupt change in climate, and changes in your sleeping and eating habits, can be very susceptible to viral and bacterial infection.
Knowing this can help you make choices to lower your risks. First start on a daily multivitamin, and a daily OTC allergy medication like Claritin. You can also add airborne or Zicam daily. Continue these throughout your vacation. If you haven’t had your flu shot get one. If your flight isn’t booked, try to get it in the morning or afternoon. Whatever time your flight is make sure you leave time that day, and each day of your vacation to get adequate rest, including the occasional 20 minute nap. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Use alcohol only in moderation, and eat three balanced meals a day including adequate fruits and vegetables. It is definately best to avoid smoke as much as possible. Many casinos offer non smoking rooms, though I realize that may not fit in with your plans. Take care to avoid smoke when possible, take plenty of fresh air breaks, and request a non smoking room.
Hand washing is very important. You are handling money and chips that have been handled repeatedly by people without time or inclination to wash their hands. Effective hand washing takes several minutes and anti-bacterial soap. To keep from washing yourself raw, buy a good hand sanitizer, including one you can keep in your pocket. Make sure you are getting under your nails when you wash or sanitize. Use the sanitizer periodically when gambling, then wash your hands well before eating and before and after using the restroom, brushing your teeth and going to bed.
Unfortunately nothing can guarantee you won’t catch anything in an environment like Vegas, but you will lower your risk considerably by taking these precautions.
I’ll give it a shot… there is NOTHING worse than being sick in Vegas. I do not want to go through that again.
worked like a charm. My drug coctail included:
1. One-a-day vitamins
2. Claritan
3. Airborne (2 to 3 times daily)
4. germ-x hand sanitizer
I think it’s the dry climate that gets me sick because I began feeling the same symptoms shortly after getting off the plane and on my way to the hotel. So the smoke factor hadn’t come into play yet. However, I never got really sick and I think it’s because of the vitamins, claritan and airborne.