Help - flying with a coldly/flu bug
Mar 12, 2017 | 3:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 914
Help - flying with a coldly/flu bug
Help! I picked up a coldy/ flu type bug over a week ago and i am due to fly to India on Thursday. Sorry if posting on wrong place! I have spent the past few days resting and dosing myself up, doing nasal rinses, inhalations etc and it gets a bit better and then comes back. I don't want to cancel my holiday, and can't as it would cost a fortune. How best to travel without bursting my ear drums and feeling worse. Any tips gratefully received although here's hoping he bug will be gone by then. Thank you
Mar 12, 2017 | 3:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
CharlotteC
1 Read your travel insurance carefully
2 get a medical certificate
3 Talk to QR
4 if you travel blow your nose frequently, even if not required, especially during ascent and descent.
1 Read your travel insurance carefully
2 get a medical certificate
3 Talk to QR
4 if you travel blow your nose frequently, even if not required, especially during ascent and descent.
Mar 12, 2017 | 3:37 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA Plat, MM *G for life, AY Plat, BA Silver
Posts: 10,543
And be mindful of others.
More generally, this sounds like a bad cold rather than flu: you wouldn't be contemplating travel if you had flu.
More generally, this sounds like a bad cold rather than flu: you wouldn't be contemplating travel if you had flu.
Mar 12, 2017 | 4:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,019
Nurofen Cold & Flu have really worked for me when I've been in this situation. I caught a really nasty cold/virus on a flight in Asia and ended up taking to my bed for several days in Sydney because I felt so awful (and had a fever etc). I only realised how effective the (Aussie bought) Nurofen was when it wore off! I was worried I was going to be too ill to travel back to Hong Kong (home at the time) via Singapore but I got dosed up on Nurofen Cold & Flu and made it home just about.
However, your profile doesn't say where you're based so not sure if this is an option for you. (Note: UK Nurofen Cold & Flu aren't as good as the Aussie ones so I wouldn't waste money on the UK ones - different ingredients unfortunately - I always stock up on them when I'm in Australia).
Failing that, make sure you use a really good decongestant before (and during) travelling. You have 4 days to go so hopefully you'll be feeling a bit better by then. In the interim make sure you eat well (lots of green veg for the next few days) and stay well hydrated. An Indian friend swears by drinking a glass of milk with turmeric each night when he has a cold and says it clears it up really quickly but I must admit that I've never been "brave" enough to try it.
However, your profile doesn't say where you're based so not sure if this is an option for you. (Note: UK Nurofen Cold & Flu aren't as good as the Aussie ones so I wouldn't waste money on the UK ones - different ingredients unfortunately - I always stock up on them when I'm in Australia).
Failing that, make sure you use a really good decongestant before (and during) travelling. You have 4 days to go so hopefully you'll be feeling a bit better by then. In the interim make sure you eat well (lots of green veg for the next few days) and stay well hydrated. An Indian friend swears by drinking a glass of milk with turmeric each night when he has a cold and says it clears it up really quickly but I must admit that I've never been "brave" enough to try it.
Mar 12, 2017 | 4:38 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 914
Nurofen Cold & Flu have really worked for me when I've been in this situation. I caught a really nasty cold/virus on a flight in Asia and ended up taking to my bed for several days in Sydney because I felt so awful (and had a fever etc). I only realised how effective the (Aussie bought) Nurofen was when it wore off! I was worried I was going to be too ill to travel back to Hong Kong (home at the time) via Singapore but I got dosed up on Nurofen Cold & Flu and made it home just about.
However, your profile doesn't say where you're based so not sure if this is an option for you. (Note: UK Nurofen Cold & Flu aren't as good as the Aussie ones so I wouldn't waste money on the UK ones - different ingredients unfortunately - I always stock up on them when I'm in Australia).
Failing that, make sure you use a really good decongestant before (and during) travelling. You have 4 days to go so hopefully you'll be feeling a bit better by then. In the interim make sure you eat well (lots of green veg for the next few days) and stay well hydrated. An Indian friend swears by drinking a glass of milk with turmeric each night when he has a cold and says it clears it up really quickly but I must admit that I've never been "brave" enough to try it.
However, your profile doesn't say where you're based so not sure if this is an option for you. (Note: UK Nurofen Cold & Flu aren't as good as the Aussie ones so I wouldn't waste money on the UK ones - different ingredients unfortunately - I always stock up on them when I'm in Australia).
Failing that, make sure you use a really good decongestant before (and during) travelling. You have 4 days to go so hopefully you'll be feeling a bit better by then. In the interim make sure you eat well (lots of green veg for the next few days) and stay well hydrated. An Indian friend swears by drinking a glass of milk with turmeric each night when he has a cold and says it clears it up really quickly but I must admit that I've never been "brave" enough to try it.
Mar 12, 2017 | 5:15 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 863
Wear some type of mask out of courtesy to the other passengers.
Mar 12, 2017 | 5:30 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 914
Thank you I am almost certainky not contagious and also wearing masks can scare other passengers!
Mar 12, 2017 | 10:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Johannesburg
Programs: QRPC Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHg Diamond Amb, Sixt Diamond, Avis Pres, AmexCenturion
Posts: 520
Great Question! Would love to know the answer.
As a passenger you have certain responsibilities including ensuring that you dont spread germs on an aircraft. Air on board is continuously recirculated and I wouldn't want to pick up a bug from someone else when I am travelling.
If you are ill and possibly could spread germs it would be extremely selfish to consider only the costs YOU will incur, you should have travel insurance or the means to support a date change or be on a flexible fare. Other passengers on the flight who are fit for flight shouldn't have their travel ruined so that you can go on holiday at all costs.
As a passenger you have certain responsibilities including ensuring that you dont spread germs on an aircraft. Air on board is continuously recirculated and I wouldn't want to pick up a bug from someone else when I am travelling.
If you are ill and possibly could spread germs it would be extremely selfish to consider only the costs YOU will incur, you should have travel insurance or the means to support a date change or be on a flexible fare. Other passengers on the flight who are fit for flight shouldn't have their travel ruined so that you can go on holiday at all costs.
Mar 13, 2017 | 12:06 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,439
Are you a doctor? Sounds pretty selfish to me. If you are not fit to fly you shouldn't. Have a look at your travel insurance policy for rebooking options when you are well. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Mar 13, 2017 | 12:51 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 914
Great Question! Would love to know the answer.
As a passenger you have certain responsibilities including ensuring that you dont spread germs on an aircraft. Air on board is continuously recirculated and I wouldn't want to pick up a bug from someone else when I am travelling.
If you are ill and possibly could spread germs it would be extremely selfish to consider only the costs YOU will incur, you should have travel insurance or the means to support a date change or be on a flexible fare. Other passengers on the flight who are fit for flight shouldn't have their travel ruined so that you can go on holiday at all costs.
As a passenger you have certain responsibilities including ensuring that you dont spread germs on an aircraft. Air on board is continuously recirculated and I wouldn't want to pick up a bug from someone else when I am travelling.
If you are ill and possibly could spread germs it would be extremely selfish to consider only the costs YOU will incur, you should have travel insurance or the means to support a date change or be on a flexible fare. Other passengers on the flight who are fit for flight shouldn't have their travel ruined so that you can go on holiday at all costs.
Mar 13, 2017 | 2:55 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,232
Take a decongestant, carry tissues, try to be as mindful of fellow pax as you can, and suck it up.
Mar 13, 2017 | 4:10 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 914
Its not really coughing and sneezing anymore just feeling sinusy and rubbish. Certainly no intention of wearing a freaky mask even if it turns me into Public Enemy Number 1. Trip to Boots at lunchtime and call my doctor methinks. I didn't try the turmeric and milk solution but boiled turmeric, ginger cloves and cinnamon added lemon and honey - I have a flat that reeks of olbas oil and do lots of inhalations...
Mar 13, 2017 | 4:11 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 795
I'm liking the sound of the Aussie cold remedy. I'm in ADL right now and might try and pick some up en route to the gate...
Will they affect my Olympic 100m bid...? ;-)
Will they affect my Olympic 100m bid...? ;-)