Remedies for in-flight ills
Are you one of those people who gets sick every time you fly? Experts say you can do a few simple things to keep germs at bay:
Wear a mask. It may seem drastic, but masks are perhaps the best way to filter out viruses in the coughs and sneezes of seatmates, says Alan Roberts, medical director at the Sunshine Medical Centers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. He distributes masks to patients before flights. "We're talking about exposure to air drop lets," he says. But wearing one takes guts. "It's so socially awkward that personally I couldn't see doing it," cardiologist Robert Mueller says. "You just might freak people out."
Don't touch a thing. With hundreds of people cycling on and off planes every few hours, it's inevitable that germs will be everywhere on board. Try to minimize contact with tray tables, windows, overhead bins — and, because you probably will get germs on your hands despite yourself, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. This is, of course, easier said than done, so it's best to wash your hands frequently says Jolanda Janczewski of Consolidated Safety Services, a health consulting firm in Fairfax, Va.
Stay moist. Aircraft cabin air is dry: 10% to 20% humidity. Low humidity makes it easier for germs to spread. Use a saline spray to keep nasal membranes moist and to sweep away germs, says Rob Ivkar, author of Sinus Survival. Drink lots of fluids; some say a glass of water an hour. Plane air is "probably the most unhealthy air we're exposed to," Ivkar says.
Move. If you're pretty sure the person next to you is sick, "ask to change your seat," Mueller says. Your proximity to someone spewing germs is the biggest factor in getting sick yourself. Of course, with fuller flights, moving is harder to do.
Relax. Experts say stress is a huge factor in whether you get sick, so try to make your travel day go smoothly. Pack ahead of time, leave for the airport early and build some slack into your schedule.
Stay home. OK, this is unrealistic for most people. But with planes expected to be more full than ever, it's something to consider, particularly if you have a weakened immune system. "If you are immuno-suppressed, you may not want to travel over the holidays," Janczewski says. "You will be exposed to more people; therefore, you will be exposed to more cold and flu viruses." Experts say another group needs to think seriously about staying home: people who get a cold right before they're supposed to fly. "People need to be responsible," Janczewski says. At the very least, she says, make sure to use a tissue when you sneeze. Otherwise, your seatmate is doomed. "Those particles stay up in the air for up to three hours."

or don't fly.

duh.

Thanks for all your suggestions. My sister seems to always get sick when she flies. She suffers from a lot of sinus infections compound that with the unhealthy air and she usually feels like crap. It seems everyone is reporting on how unhealthy planes are these days. One of our tv stations recently did a story on how dirty(germs) planes are.Most planes are only cleaned (thoroughly) only 1x in 6 months if you are lucky. They suggest not to use the pillows or blankets either,they are rarely washed. Sorry April some of us have no choice we have to fly.

It took me many years to recognize the bronchitis I had AFTER flying was caused by flying and the poor air quality.. Now, two days before I get on the flight to return I take an antibiotic and continue it for the course of treatment..The person next to me is my husband usually....

And when you REALLY, REALLY NEED an antibiotic, you'll wonder WHY the it doesn't "work!" Antibiotics are one of the most overprescribed medication, and should not be used for prevention but used when you have a bacterial infection!

BTW, if you do have the slighest of headcolds and must fly, try an OTC decongestant to relieve the pressure. But don't take that antibiotic just because you THINK you might need it!

Why not use some wet-wipies, antibacterial soap, etc. Washing hands is one of the best preventions. Unless you live in a bubble, you can't avoid human contact, germs, etc.

Miriam, you do realize you need to reference that article, right?

And No Doctor, you are absolutely right about the over-use of antibiotics.

I had referenced it by posting the whole article with the name of the paper and author and date. However, it didn't post here for some reason. Maybe the article was too long. I will post the link and let everyone read the complete article. That was just a sidebar from USATODAY 11/17/00.

Here's the link:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/travel/...000/ltl671.htm

Miriam-I saw in the previous thread regarding shoes, you identified yourself as working for Fodors. Do you work for Fodors or are pretending to be? If it is the latter, please get a life and leave the medical questions and problems to the doctors who post here!

As for wearing a mask while flying, that's a good way to incite panic among your fellow passengers! They might think you have ebola or something!!!

Miriam, I think it's a very helpful thing to post such information here, even if it does originate elsewhere (so long as you identify the source and refer us there for the longer article. Don't reproduce 100% of anyone's published work.) However, it is a little misleading to post as if you didn't work for Fodor's -- why go to the trouble? -- it's still helpful whether it comes from "headquarters" or not. I, for one, don't have a problem with it, but I do have a problem with a post pretending to be something it isn't.

As to the topic itself -- best thing you can do is keep washing your hands in warm water and soap or (sometimes better) the antibiotic gels that don't require water or towels. I have learned to make a point of using the gel just before I eat anything. And avoid putting hands/fingers to your face (esp. nose and mouth) whenever you are traveling.