Have you ever gotten a bad cold or flu after flying on a plane? A plane’s environment is a breading ground for bacteria and airborne diseases. This includes the 2020 coronavirus outbreak. This article could help keep you safe from contracting the coronvirus.
How coronavirus spreads among others comes down to how easily the virus can spread. This is especially true when it comes to flying.
In fact, studies show that one in five people get sick from flying. Here’s 15 tips to help you have a safe flight and stay healthy leading up to and during your flight. As well as reducing the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
1) Don’t Go in Highly Populated Areas Leading Up to Your Travel Date.
At least one week before travel, avoid populated areas where there’s a chance you can become sick. These include walk in clinics, grocery stores, theatres and shopping malls.
While this can be difficult to do, be aware of your environment and wash your hands regularly.
2) Strengthen Your Immune System.
Taking multivitamins prior and during travel will serve to strengthen your immune system. Vitamins such as C, zinc and probiotics for example, strengthens the body’s immunity.
As well as protecting the body from infection and limiting the length of illnesses such as the common cold.
3) Be Aware of Potential Risks While in An Airport
Before even getting on a plane, researchers say people should be aware of germs and diseases found in the airport. An airport kiosk, for example has 1,475 times more bacteria than a home’s toilet seat.
So have access to sanitizing wipes to remove germs on all contact surfaces that would contain high levels of bacteria.
These studies were conducted by Insurance Quotes. Read full article at
https://www.insurancequotes.com/health/germs-at-the-airport
4) Make Sanitizing Wipes and Hand Sanitizer Part of Your Travel Kit
Reality is, people should be more concerned about contact with a plane’s armrest and headrest. As well as the tray table and toilet handle than sitting next to someone with a cold.
Research has found that dangerous bacteria such as E-coli and airborne diseases can live for over 168 hours on a cloth seatback pocket and armrest.
Headrests have been found to contain the most bacteria, yeasts and molds. Take the time to pack sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer in your hand luggage. Then quickly wipe down your area once seated on the plane.
These studies were conducted by American Society for Microbiology. Read full article at
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140520100420.htm
5) Choose Your Seat Wisely
The best way to avoid an illness is to pick the window seat. As well as sit as far away from plane lavatories as possible.
By picking a window seat on your flight. A passenger is less likely to leave their seat and have contact with other passengers or ingest airborne diseases.
For example, studies have found on average people sitting in the aisle seat will have contact with 64 people. Those sitting in the middle seat will have contact with 58 people. And more interestingly, those people sitting in the window seat will only have contact with 12 people.
Studies also show that proximity to the aisle seat was associated with a person’s movement within the plane. Including using the lavatory and check the overhead bin.
People sitting on the aisle seats are 80% more likely to get out of their seat during a flight. Where as, people sitting in middle seats are 60% more likely to get out of their seats. And finally, people sitting in the window seat are only 40% more likely to get out of their seat.
If you can, choose a window seat and avoid getting out of your seat during a flight.
These studies were conducted by The National Academy of Sciences. Read full article at
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-place-to-sit-on-plane-to-not-get-sick-2018-3
6) Bring Your Own Pillow
To avoid germs contained in the fabric of plane pillows. Bring your own pillow and associated sleeping products such as sleep masks.
This will give you peace of mind that you will be resting on a product you cleaned yourself. And, that is void of germs and bacteria.
7) Make Sure All Vaccines Are Up to Date
Centres for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines. Including, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and influenza.
Before taking a flight, especially a long flight. Talk to your health professional about what vaccines are needed for your trip.
You should have vaccines at least four to six weeks before you travel. Having the proper vaccines will go a long way in combating contact with dangerous bacteria. As well as, air borne diseases while on your flight.
8) Rest Before Your Flight
Rest is always important no matter what activity you are doing. Research found that taking a rest before a flight is particularly important because of the changes in time zones.
A change in time zones can often make people restless and unable to sleep. Consequently, with little sleep comes a weakened immune system that leads to illness.
These studies were conducted by Sleep Foundation. Read full article at
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-better-when-switching-time-zones
9) Eat Well Before and During Your Flight
Remember to fill up on energy and high protein foods such as hummus and grain crackers. Also, trail mix and protein bars are a great choice prior to your flight.
These foods will give you the boost in energy you’ll need for your flight and keep your immune system strong.
Most people prior to a flight forget to eat properly. Usually because they are too concerned with all the other elements associated with getting ready such as packing luggage.
They then quickly buy a meal at the departures gate or on the plane.
Problem with this is, these foods are usually high in fat, sugar and salt, all things that will make you feel run-down. Instead, bring your own foods that are low in sugar and high in protein.
If you forget to bring your own food, look for healthy foods. Such as oatmeal or cheese and crackers that may be offered during the flight.
10) Drink Water
Water is the best thing to keep you hydrated so drink lots of water during your flight. Additionally, drinking lots of water will also help avoid jet lag which can affect your sleeping patterns and immune system.
Remember to always bring your own water to avoid drinking contaminated water or drinking from water bottles others have touched.
11) Avoid Touching Your Face
We often see people wearing masks in public places. However, experts do not recommend doing this. Why? Because when wearing a mask people often touch their face to adjust the mask.
Unfortunately, this allows germs to enter the eyes, nose and mouth.
It is more important to just remember to not touch your face. If you must touch your face, remember to apply a hand sanitizer.
These studies were conducted by CDC. Read full article at
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-cdc-says-americans-dont-have-to-wear-facemasks-because-of-coronavirus-2020-01-30
12) Use Your Own Devices
Avoid using devices you know other passengers have used. Charge up your own devices you know are clean when wanting to watch a movie or listen to music.
13) Avoid Drinking Tea, Coffee and Alcohol
Drinking coffee or alcohol will dehydrate the body, weakening the immune system. Also, due to the high altitude, drinking alcohol will make you feel light-headed quicker than on land.
Drinking coffee or tea on a flight will also not only raise your blood pressure. There’s a chance the water used has bacteria from sitting in tanks for long periods of time while on flight.
14) Wash Your Hands Regularly
Hand washing is one of the most important steps one can do to avoid illness. Hand washing with soap for 15 seconds removes germs and helps kill 90 percent of germs.
Also, adding another 15 seconds, 99.9 percent of all germs are removed. By simply following easy washing steps: wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry.
You can dramatically reduce the spread of many nasty illnesses such as diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.
15) Dress Warm
Simple yet important. Studies have found keeping warm boosts a person’s immune system.
At cooler temperatures key immune proteins become impaired allowing viruses such as the common cold to reproduce and spread.
Conclusion
The coronavirus outbreak has brought more attention to the importance of knowing your environment. As well as, taking the proper steps not to get sick, especially while travelling.
Following these simple tips will help alleviate any anxiety a traveller may have with contracting an illness while flying.
And in conclusion, this will make your next business trip or vacation much more enjoyable and safe.
Did you find this article helpful? Please share your comments below. We want to hear from you. Please share this with a family member or friend who are flying soon. It can make their trip a better one.
IMPORTANT!
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Get the latest information from the Public Health Agency of Canada about COVID-19.
