It’s official That time of year. The temperatures are plunging, the hot tea is flowing, and flu season is here. But that’s not the only illness travelers face this holiday season.
“Currently, respiratory illnesses are diverse, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Other common illnesses include bacterial infections such as norovirus and E. coli. As we enter the colder months and holiday gatherings, respiratory infections are on the rise due to increased close contact and indoor activities,” said Dr. Waleed Javaid, epidemiologist and professor of medicine at West Virginia University.
Thankfully, we’ve learned a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic about mitigating illness while traveling. “COVID-19 has made us realize the importance of hand hygiene and improving immunity through lifestyle,” said Dr. Taz Bhatia, a board-certified integrative medicine physician and medical advisor for Genexa, a brand of cold and flu medications. Fortunately, many of the precautions you learn to stop the spread of COVID-19 should also help protect you from the seasonal flu, according to Healthline (part of TPG parent company Red Ventures).
The last thing you want is to catch a virus on a plane and spend the rest of your vacation miserable. To protect yourself and your family from getting the flu and other illnesses while traveling, follow these tips.
Wear a mask
In the past, masks were required when flying. Although these rules have been lifted, wearing a face covering on your next flight can still help prevent you from getting sick. A 2020 Department of Defense study found that the risk of COVID-19 transmission on airplanes is “extremely unlikely” when wearing masks. Masks can also protect you from other common respiratory viruses, such as the flu, which spreads through the air.
Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that sick travelers (with fever or respiratory symptoms) use masks to help reduce the spread of respiratory bacteria; when the sick traveler cannot tolerate wearing a mask, people sitting near the sick traveler (with fever or respiratory symptoms) should also use masks.
Keep your hands clean
We all know handwashing is key to preventing illness, but this is especially true when traveling.
“Keep your hands clean,” said Dr. Nicholas Testa, chief medical officer for CommonSpirit Health’s California region. “This means practicing good hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.”
According to the CDC, handwashing is the “most important infection control measure.” It recommends “if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).”
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Skip the bathroom
Dr. Marina Gafanovich, a primary care physician in New York, tells TPG that if it’s a short-haul flight, make sure you go to the restroom before the flight takes off. Why?
“You have to understand that a lot of people share that bathroom,” she said. “Studies show that aircraft bathrooms have high levels of bacteria on sinks, flush handles and toilet seats. That’s why it’s best to use paper towels when touching toilet seats, faucets and even door locks.”
stay hydrated
According to Northwestern Medicine, while comfortable indoor humidity is 30 to 65 percent, cabin humidity is only about 10 to 20 percent. Cabin air has extremely low humidity, which can dry out the mucous membranes of your nose and respiratory tract. When these tissues dry out, they are more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. To combat this, stay hydrated.
“Bring your own bottle of water and drink 8 ounces of water every hour you’re in the air to stay hydrated,” says Dr. Nate Favini, chief medical officer of virtual care company Pair Team. “Alcohol and caffeine can make you more dehydrated, so save the cocktails and coffee for the destination.”
Avoid certain areas of the airplane
In addition to washing your hands, pay attention to those particularly high-touch surface areas on the plane. For example, the influenza virus can survive on any hard surface for up to 24 hours.
“Don’t use tray tables, and if you really need to, make sure you have sanitary napkins with you and clean them before use,” Gafanovich said. “Also, don’t store items in your seatback pocket. We know a lot of people use it, so it can be filled with germs.”
Testa also recommends avoiding or wiping down overhead vents, bathroom flush buttons and seat belt buckles. So be sure to stock up on hand sanitizing wipes before your next flight.
Stick with classics like Purell, or try Trip Wipes, antibacterial wipes designed for travelers with a fresh citrus scent. If you just want to spray your hands (or everything), try Dr. Bronner’s Lavender-Scented Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray, which comes in a TSA-friendly bottle.
don’t touch your face
Even if your hands are clean, it’s best not to touch your face.
“Even if your hands touch the dirtiest, germiest surfaces, you won’t get sick unless you carry those germs to the point of entry (nose, mouth, eyes),” says Dr. Frank Contacesa, a Florida internist. “Make a habit of never rubbing your eyes, touching your mouth, or nose unless you’ve just washed your hands. This is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick.”
Wear gloves
Just can’t get rid of the habit of touching your face? Try wearing gloves.
Julie Fischer, Ph.D., associate research professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Georgetown University, told TPG, “Gloves are useful because they remind people not to touch their nose and mouth… When you wear gloves, you become highly sensitive to that. But the best protection for an individual is to be very careful about washing your hands.”
Choose your seat carefully
Research shows that aisle seats on airplanes experience more traffic and are at greater risk of exposure. Why? Well, to some extent, sick patients tend to prop themselves up on these seats as they walk to the bathroom.
“If you want to minimize the risk of respiratory transmission, window seats are a better choice,” Testa said. These seats typically don’t have much contact with passengers.
Keep vents open
While you might think that spending hours in circulating air might increase your risk of illness, keeping your vents open might actually help.
“Some studies show that using overhead vents that point directly downward creates a cone of protection,” Contacesa said. “It actually prevents airborne germs from getting to you. The airflow from the vents can help fight off germs from other passengers’ sneezes.”
In fact, high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) on airplanes can remove at least 99.97% of airborne viruses and bacteria. The air is refreshed about 20 times per hour, while the office is only refreshed about 10 times.
prepare your body
You can start taking precautions to avoid getting sick before you even step foot on a plane. CDC recommends staying up to date on vaccinations, including annual flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, and RSV vaccines for eligible individuals, to minimize the risk of severe illness.
Additionally, “prioritize sleep, a balanced diet, and supplements like vitamin D and zinc,” says Bhatia.
It’s also worth taking a vitamin C supplement. “Studies show that people under stress who take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily are less likely to develop viral infections,” says Favini. “And traveling is often stressful.”
bottom line
Although the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is long behind us, it’s still important to stay healthy while traveling. The tips above can help you minimize your risk during flu season so you can make the most of your holiday travel.
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