Air Travel: Airborne Illnesses

Germs are everywhere. But, when you're in an aircraft cabin, there's no escape, no chance to get fresh air. Each year millions of travelers contract airborne illnesses on airplanes. With the spread of contagious, potentially fatal diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), it's important to protect yourself when traveling by air.

What is the Risk?
Passengers on airplanes transmit airborne viruses as they would anywhere else -- through coughing, talking, laughing, and exhaling. Because passengers are in an enclosed area with poor air filtration, they are at higher risk of contracting any number of viruses, including measles, mumps, influenza, chicken pox, and SARS. Serious bacterial diseases such as meningitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia can also be transmitted.

The Danger of Airplane Cabins
Aircraft cabins are havens for the viruses and bacteria. The exhaled air of each passenger circulates and re-circulates in the cabin, making the air unsanitary. Also, the cabin air is dry, and viruses thrive in dry conditions. In addition to poor air filtration, aircraft passengers are more vulnerable to airborne illnesses simply because they are seated closely together, which increases the spread of germs.

Those with weak immune systems, especially the elderly and young children are most at risk of contracting an airborne illness. The risk of becoming infected with an airborne illness increases with the duration of the flight. However, passengers on short flights are still vulnerable since many illnesses spread while the plane is still on the ground given that the air filtration and circulation systems are not turned on until after takeoff.

Protect Yourself
Protecting yourself from airborne diseases while traveling by air is pretty simple. Physicians recommend that you at wear a damp, cotton handkerchief over your nose and mouth while on the aircraft. The handkerchief will block many airborne germs and it will also help keep your air passages moist in the dry cabin.

An even better alternative to a moist handkerchief is a commercial mask. Finding a mask that fits tightly around your face is key to preventing germs from passing into your airways. Some physicians even suggest wearing a mask over a handkerchief.

It is important to remember that covering your nose and mouth will not guarantee you protection from contracting bacterial and viral infections. Many people spread germs by rubbing their eyes. It's a good idea to carry an instant hand sanitizer on the plane with you to disinfect your hands regularly.

An airborne illness can turn your vacation into a disaster. While you can't completely protect yourself from becoming infected with an airborne illness, you can block many contagious germs from entering your body by following the above suggestions.