Prevent and treat colds when traveling on business
You have just flown across the country to attend an important business conference. A few days into the big meeting, you wake up with a sore throat, sneezing and coughing -- all symptoms typically associated with the common cold. Experts generally agree that frequent fliers, such as business travelers, are at a greater risk of acquiring a cold. That increased risk is often attributed to extended time in airplanes with poor ventilation, public restrooms, and hotel lobbies.
What are some tips for staying healthy and avoiding that dreaded cold? "The best and most effective way of preventing a cold is to wash your hands thoroughly and often, and to avoid contact with your face or eyes," says Dr. Darrell Hulisz, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "I also recommend bringing your own pillows onto flights, especially if you fly several times a month."
Despite your best efforts, you may still become sick. A recent study by the University of California, San Francisco, found that approximately 1 in 5 passengers caught a cold within one week of flight. And if you do catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for about nine to 12 days -- the typical time it takes for the illness to fully run its course, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
"To relieve cold symptoms, business travelers can use a safe, cost-effective zinc gluconate product such as Zicam(R) Cold Remedy which can help you get rid of your cold up to three times faster," says Dr. Hulisz. Zicam, available in nasal swabs, nasal gels or in a variety of oral formulations, is an over-the-counter, homeopathic product. Zicam has been clinically proven to reduce the duration and severity of a cold when taken in the first 24 - 48 hours of symptom onset.
Being sidelined by sickness for even a day or two can have a dramatic impact on your productivity. In fact, a study published last year in The Lancet, reported that colds are responsible for an estimated 20 million lost days of work each year. "For the best results, it is important that people remember to pack Zicam prior to traveling and use it immediately following the onset of symptoms," says Dr. Hulisz.
Dr. Hulisz offers additional ways travelers could minimize a lengthy battle with the cold virus: "Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, avoiding alcohol, getting enough rest, taking vitamin C, and eating regular meals can keep you armed and ready to combat the cold while on the road."
Zicam is available at drug stores and supermarkets everywhere. For more information on cold treatment and the Zicam family of cold products, visit www.zicam.com.
