H1N1 at Disneyland: What to Do About Swine Flu During Your Trip

As most people are aware, the H1N1 influenza strain, commonly referred to as Swine Flu, is currently causing major concern around the globe. For those with an upcoming Disneyland trip scheduled, there is an added concern about visiting the happiest place on earth in the midst of the H1N1 pandemic. Some people may wonder whether or not they should cancel their trip to Disneyland, while others are scrambling to get their H1N1 vaccine before they leave for vacation. Understandably, most people with an upcoming trip planned are thinking about how to avoid contracting H1N1 while at Disneyland. If you have a Disneyland vacation scheduled, and are trying to figure out how to deal with the H1N1 situation as it pertains to your trip, the following guide may be helpful to you.

You must first realize that you will absolutely be exposed to H1N1 while at Disneyland - Disneyland sees tens of thousands of visitors every single day of the year. There's no way to be in the midst of that amount of people right now without being exposed to H1N1. Remember that those infected are contagious for up to 24 hours before they even begin to feel symptoms, so many people will be spreading H1N1 without even knowing it. Considering the trouble many people have had trying to get the vaccine, coupled with the fact that many people are abstaining from the H1N1 vaccine, it's only logical to assume that you will be exposed during your time inside Disneyland.

If you are opting to get the vaccine, remember that it takes 2 weeks for it to take full effect - Depending on which report you read, studies have shown that the H1N1 vaccine takes anywhere from 8 to 14 days to trigger a full response from your immune system. This means that getting the vaccine the day before you leave for your Disneyland vacation will leave you, for all intents and purposes, unvaccinated, at least for the first week or more of your trip.

Whether opting for the vaccine or not, take preventative measures while at Disneyland - There are lots of things you can do to help yourself and your family members to avoid contracting H1N1 while at Disneyland. Many people on well known Disney message forums have stated that they are going so far as to carry antibacterial wipes with them so that they can wipe down the safety bars of attractions they are riding, as well as Disneyland restaurant table and seating surfaces. You can purchase a can of Lysol at the beginning of your Disneyland visit so that you may disinfect commonly touched surfaces in your hotel room, such as T.V. remotes, doorknobs, and faucet handles. Clearly, hand sanitizer is a must. Also, make a strong attempt to touch as few hand rails as possible while standing in line waiting for rides. Additionally, pack a container of salt for your trip, along with some cotton swabs. The H1N1 virus will stay in your throat or nasal passages for 2-3 days after exposure, so even if you do come into contact with the H1N1 virus while at Disneyland, you can do a great deal to prevent coming down with the illness by gargling with salt water each night back at your hotel, as well as swabbing the inside of your nostrils with salt water. Finally, taking preventative supplements such as Vitamin C and Echinacea may also help you to fend off H1N1 while at Disneyland.