it’s officially that time of year. Temperatures are plummeting, the hot tea is flowing, and flu season is here. But that is not the only illness that threatens travelers this Christmas season.
According to Dr. Waleed Javaid, an epidemiologist and professor of medicine at West Virginia University, “Currently, there is a mix of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Other common illnesses include norovirus and bacterial infections such as E. coli. As we enter the colder months and holiday gatherings, respiratory infections are increasing due to increased close contact and indoor activities.”
Fortunately, we learned a lot about how to mitigate illness while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID taught us the importance of hand hygiene and boosting immunity through lifestyle practices,” he said. Dr. Taz Bhatiacertified integrative medicine physician and medical advisor for the cold and flu medicine brand Genexa. Fortunately, many of the precautions you learned to stop the spread of COVID-19 should also help protect you from seasonal flu, according to Healthline (which is owned by TPG parent company Red Ventures).
The last thing you want is to catch a virus on a plane and be miserable for the rest of your vacation. To protect yourself and your family from contracting the flu and other illnesses while traveling, follow these tips.
wear a mask
In the past, wearing a mask was a requirement when flying. Although these regulations have been lifted, covering your face on your next flight can still help prevent you from getting sick. A 2020 study by the U.S. Department of Defense found that the risk of COVID-19 transmission on an airplane was “extremely unlikely” when masks are worn. Masks will also protect you from other common respiratory viruses, such as influenza, that are transmitted through the air.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of masks for sick travelers (with fever or respiratory symptoms) to help reduce the spread of respiratory germs and for people seated near sick travelers (with fever or respiratory symptoms) when the sick traveler cannot tolerate wearing a mask.
Keep your hands clean
We all know that washing our hands is key to preventing illness, but it’s especially true when we travel.
“Keep your hands clean,” said Dr. Nicholas Testa, California regional medical director at CommonSpirit Health. “This means a combination of good hand hygiene with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWashing your hands is the “most important infection control measure.” It recommends using “alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available.”
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skip the bath
If it’s a short flight, be sure to go to the bathroom before the flight takes off, New York-based primary care physician. Dr. Marina Gafanovich TPG said. Because?
“You have to understand that a lot of people share that bathroom,” he said. “And research suggests that there are major germs on airplane sinks, toilet handles, and bathroom seats. That’s why it’s best to use paper towels when you touch the toilet seat, faucet, or even the door latch.”
Stay hydrated
While a comfortable interior humidity ranges between 30% and 65%, the humidity inside an airplane cabin is only between 10% and 20%. according to Northwest Medicine. The very low humidity of the air in the cabin can dry out the mucous membranes of the nose and respiratory tract. When these tissues dry out, they are much more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. To combat this, stay hydrated.
“Bring your own water bottle and try to drink 8 ounces of water per hour you’re in the air to maintain your hydration,” said Dr. Nate Favini, medical director at Pair Team, a virtual care company. “Alcohol and caffeine will dehydrate you even more, so save the cocktails and coffee for your destination.”
Avoid certain areas of the plane.
In addition to washing your hands, be aware of those areas of the plane that are particularly high-touch surfaces. The flu virus, for example, can live on any hard surface for up to 24 hours.
“Do not use the tray and, if necessary, carry sanitary wipes with you and clean them before using them,” recommends Gafanovich. “Also, don’t keep items in the seatback pocket. We know a lot of people use it, so it’s likely full of germs.”
Testa also recommends avoiding or cleaning overhead air vents, toilet flush buttons, and seat belt buckles. So, be sure to stock up on hand sanitizer wipes before your next flight.
Stick with the classics, like Purell, or try travel wipesAntibacterial wipes with a refreshing citrus scent designed specifically for travelers. And if you just want to spray your hands (or everything), try Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Scented Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray in Transportation Security Administration-compliant bottles.
Don’t touch your face
Even if your hands are clean, it’s best to keep them away from your face as well.
“Even if your hands have touched the dirtiest, germiest surfaces, you won’t get sick unless you bring those germs to an entry point (nose, mouth, eyes),” said Dr. Frank Contacessa, a Florida-based internist. “Get into the habit of never rubbing your eyes, touching your mouth or nose unless you have washed your hands. This is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick.”
wear gloves
Just can’t kick the habit of touching your face? Try with gloves.
Dr. Julie Fischer, an associate research professor in the department of microbiology and immunology at Georgetown University, told TPG, “Gloves are helpful because they remind people not to touch their nose and mouth…when you wear gloves, you become hyper-aware of that. But the best protection for people is to be very careful about handwashing.”
Choose your seat carefully
Studies have shown that aisle seats on an airplane experience much more traffic and are at greater risk of exposure. Because? Well, part of it is that sick patients tend to lean on those seats when they walk to the bathroom.
“The window seat is a better option if you want to minimize the risk of respiratory transmission,” Testa said. These seats generally do not have as much contact with passengers.
Keep your air vent on
While you might think that sitting in recycled air for hours could increase your risk of illness, keeping the vent open can help.
“There has been some research that has shown that using the top vent, directed directly downward, can create a cone of protection,” Contacessa said. “It can actually prevent airborne germs from getting close to you. The airflow from the vent can help protect you from germs from another passenger’s sneeze.”
In fact, high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters found on airplanes remove at least 99.97% of airborne viruses and bacteria. This air is also renewed about 20 times per hour, while an office is only renewed about 10 times.
Prepare your body
Before you even set foot on a plane, you can take preventive measures to avoid getting sick. The CDC recommends Stay up to date on vaccines, including annual flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, and RSV vaccines for those eligible, to minimize the risk of serious illness.
Additionally, “prioritize sleep, a balanced diet, and supplements like vitamin D and zinc,” Bhatia said.
It’s also worth bringing vitamin C. “Studies have shown that stressed people who take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day are less likely to get viral infections,” Favini said. “And traveling is often stressful.”
In a nutshell
Although the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, staying healthy when traveling is still important. The tips above can help you minimize your risk this flu season so you can get the most out of your vacation trips.
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