reducing infection risk
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 502
reducing infection risk
Just got over an upper respiratory illness contracted after a 11 hr flight (coach, if that makes any difference?), but now my wife has it.
I am healthy but get such illnesses about one international flight in five.
Any ideas to reduce the risk? already wash hands frequently. Fly business? A doctor friend says wearing a face mask makes no difference unless it is HEPA compliant. A holistic friend says you can take immunostimulants.
found this, but of little value
https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/m...abin-crew.html
I am healthy but get such illnesses about one international flight in five.
Any ideas to reduce the risk? already wash hands frequently. Fly business? A doctor friend says wearing a face mask makes no difference unless it is HEPA compliant. A holistic friend says you can take immunostimulants.
found this, but of little value
https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/m...abin-crew.html
#2
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
A few ideas...
- Clean up any contact areas (armrests, tray table, etc...) with disinfectant wipes before settling down
- Pick a window seat and don't move around the aircraft too much. Go to the loo before getting on the flight. Picking one at the back of the plane might mean you're more likely to have a free seat next to you too.
- Have some more disinfectant wipes to wash your hands before eating.
- Don't touch your face too much
- HEPA face masks exist but I would probably rather be sick than wearing a proper efficient mask for 11 hours.
- Flying business would reduce the risk as you will be in contact with fewer people but ultimately this is a tradeoff you have to make.
- Clean up any contact areas (armrests, tray table, etc...) with disinfectant wipes before settling down
- Pick a window seat and don't move around the aircraft too much. Go to the loo before getting on the flight. Picking one at the back of the plane might mean you're more likely to have a free seat next to you too.
- Have some more disinfectant wipes to wash your hands before eating.
- Don't touch your face too much
- HEPA face masks exist but I would probably rather be sick than wearing a proper efficient mask for 11 hours.
- Flying business would reduce the risk as you will be in contact with fewer people but ultimately this is a tradeoff you have to make.
Last edited by thebigben; Oct 13, 2018 at 10:14 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Eagar AZ 85925
Programs: Miles N More, One World
Posts: 140
You can't do anything about an airborne virus unless you want to wear a mask and even then it's iffy. Everything Big Ben suggested, take disinfected wipes and clean everything. Anything you would touch from seat belt, trays, armrest... Do not touch your face at all, don't rub your eyes, lips. I work in L.E. and we take classes once a year to make sure we are protecting ourselves from contagious diseases. When my wife and I fly we always have wipes. Are we Howard Hughes batsh!t crazy about germs? No but we do clean everything we touch. MRSA is out there. The today show had a segment about how dirty flying is. I'll see if I can find it.
#4
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Try to eat healthy food and get sufficient rest when traveling. Taking vitamins might help.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Eagar AZ 85925
Programs: Miles N More, One World
Posts: 140
Moderators please remove if this is not allowed. I'm posting this so that the OP can understand certain areas where infection may occur. I've never been sick because of a flight I took but everyone's immune system if different.
https://www.today.com/health/harmful...g-sick-t138513
https://www.today.com/health/harmful...g-sick-t138513
#7
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
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#8
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NSW, Australia
Programs: Qantas, Velocity
Posts: 16
Disinfectant wipes don’t kill viruses. But they reduce the virus load by the act of manually wiping them away, and they kill a lot of fungi and bacteria.. I hadn’t thought of the nasal spray, but it makes sense. I find taking zinc before and during a trip helps avoid catching other people’s bugs. My last trip to America, I spent ten days in a house with three people suffering with flu like symptoms, and I was healthy all the way through becaus my fiancé made me take zinc every day.
i to wipe down arm rests, tray tables and other hard surfaces when I board. And I never get sick when I fly. Other than motion sickness occasionally.
i to wipe down arm rests, tray tables and other hard surfaces when I board. And I never get sick when I fly. Other than motion sickness occasionally.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BUF
Programs: SkyTean, Star Alliance, HHonors
Posts: 155
They do, or at least Clorox wipes do:
http://apex-reps.com/assets/site/uploads/cIoZUYBLIG.pdf
There's a few they don't kill but everything I'd be worried about on a plane is covered. Well, except for Hep A but I'm vaccinated against that one
http://apex-reps.com/assets/site/uploads/cIoZUYBLIG.pdf
There's a few they don't kill but everything I'd be worried about on a plane is covered. Well, except for Hep A but I'm vaccinated against that one
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
Firstly, get your shots. Get vaccinated annually, especially against flu. But if you travel internationally, especially to the tropics and to poorer countries with sanitation issues, get yellow fever, dengue, and malaria vaccinations as well. Arm yourself with Cipro. You may not have to take it, but it's good to have.
As to actually flying...use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after trips to the lav. Bring disinfectant wipes and wipe down the armrests, tray table, and vent ring. And don't forget the IFE controls as well. Do it at the start of the flight.
As to actually flying...use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after trips to the lav. Bring disinfectant wipes and wipe down the armrests, tray table, and vent ring. And don't forget the IFE controls as well. Do it at the start of the flight.
#11
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Firstly, get your shots. Get vaccinated annually, especially against flu. But if you travel internationally, especially to the tropics and to poorer countries with sanitation issues, get yellow fever, dengue, and malaria vaccinations as well. Arm yourself with Cipro. You may not have to take it, but it's good to have.
Is there such a thing now?
#12
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#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
interesting re nasal !
related - drinking water
and regular nutrition
clearly popular use of terms varies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria_prophylaxis
medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/74177
related - drinking water
and regular nutrition
clearly popular use of terms varies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria_prophylaxis
medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/74177
FDA Approves Single-Dose Malaria Drug
First new malaria drug approved in over 60 years
First new malaria drug approved in over 60 years
#14
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 394
They do, or at least Clorox wipes do:
http://apex-reps.com/assets/site/uploads/cIoZUYBLIG.pdf
There's a few they don't kill but everything I'd be worried about on a plane is covered. Well, except for Hep A but I'm vaccinated against that one
http://apex-reps.com/assets/site/uploads/cIoZUYBLIG.pdf
There's a few they don't kill but everything I'd be worried about on a plane is covered. Well, except for Hep A but I'm vaccinated against that one
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Keep in mind you may or may not have contracted the illness on the flights, even if you started feeling sick during or shortly afterward. Depending on what has caused the respiratory infection, the average incubation period can be as long as several days following exposure.
Generally I find practicing good hygiene, staying hydrated, and getting adequate rest (as much as possible) throughout the trip is best, rather than focusing just on the flights. We do use appropriate wipes to clean off certain surfaces on the plane, hotel, etc. though that's not a panacea. As someone with chronic sinus issues, non-medicated saline rinses as mentioned above are an excellent thing to use regularly, not just to guard against infection but also to keep dust and allergens flushed out, too. Can't hurt to get flu and other vaccines as appropriate, too.
Finally there's always an element of luck involved no matter what...or bad luck, as the case may be.
Generally I find practicing good hygiene, staying hydrated, and getting adequate rest (as much as possible) throughout the trip is best, rather than focusing just on the flights. We do use appropriate wipes to clean off certain surfaces on the plane, hotel, etc. though that's not a panacea. As someone with chronic sinus issues, non-medicated saline rinses as mentioned above are an excellent thing to use regularly, not just to guard against infection but also to keep dust and allergens flushed out, too. Can't hurt to get flu and other vaccines as appropriate, too.
Finally there's always an element of luck involved no matter what...or bad luck, as the case may be.