6 ways to avoid getting sick on a plane
It’s the stuff of holiday nightmares – sitting through a 12-hour long haul flight only to finally arrive at your destination with a runny nose! This is why it’s so important to take the necessary pre-emptive measures before you step on your flight.
Here are six ways to avoid getting sick on a plane.
1. Staying hydrated
Drinking plenty of water not only counters the dehydrating effects of air travel, but it can also help fortify the function of your natural immune mechanisms. Sipping water regularly throughout your flight is also more effective than drinking a lot at one point.
2. Keep your hands clean
You’re definitely not the first person to touch the armrest, tray table and window shade, but that being said you shouldn’t avoid them completely. A handy travel-sized bottle of hand sanitiser is your best friend, allowing you to regularly disinfect on your trip.
3. Avoid the blankets and pillows
An investigation by The Wall Street Journal found that blankets and pillows on flights were commonly only washed once every five to 30 days, so you can only imagine what sort of germs and bacteria have built up over the course of a couple of weeks.
4. Don’t place items in the seat-back pocket
Next to the armrests, the seat-back pockets in an airplane are generally considered the worst places in a plane to touch. Not only are they’re handled by everyone who checks out the inflight magazine, they often become temporary storing space for napkins and tissues.
5. Taking vitamins
While there is no conclusive evidence regarding the potential for rapid response effect of vitamins, many regular travellers swear by regularly taking vitamins while in transit to help avoid some maladies and reduce the severity of the symptoms of others.
6. Don’t forget the importance of dental hygiene
It’s important to keep your hands clean, but let’s not forget your mouth. Bringing along a germ-killing mouthwash adds another layer of protection. Just make sure the mouthwash bottle is small enough to comply with the carry-on rules for liquids.
Have you ever fallen sick because of air travel?
Share your story in the comments below.
Related links:
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7 tips to keep belongings safe on a flight