Do you have international or cross-country travel plans? If so, you most likely have a long flight included somewhere in your itinerary. One thing that I’ve noticed in my years of flying and of having international friends and family come to visit is that after a long flight, it’s common to get sick. While there’s no guarantee that you can avoid catching something while en route, there are some things that you can do to try to stay healthier on your long-distance flight:
- Make sure you’re well-rested before you leave. This is easier said that done, because most of us run around getting last-minute errands checked off our to-do lists, wrapping things up at work, making sure that pets and plants are going to be well taken care of, and packing. Still, if you can spend some time each day relaxing before you leave, it might be enough to allow you to avoid getting run down enough to be susceptible to illness.
- If you feel yourself getting sick before you leave, see the doctor if possible. This way, if you are developing any type of bacterial infection, you can get a prescription for antibiotics to start right away. Also, some illnesses, particularly respiratory ones, can worsen due to the airplane’s cabin pressure and lower levels of oxygen. It’s better to be aware of this possibility and to discuss your options with your physician.
- Consider taking Airborne, Emergen-C or another cold preventative a few hours before your flight. While the jury is out as to whether these actually work, they won’t hurt most people. If you have kidney or liver, or any other chronic conditions, or if you take medication, then you should check with your doctor before taking any vitamins, including these. Other products to consider are Flight Spray (alleviates nasal dryness); Trip Ease (a remedy for motion sickness); Aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen (for headaches); Imodium or Kaopectate (for diarrhea); Metamucil or Fiber supplements (for constipation); and Rolaids, Tums, or Pepto-Bismol (for an upset stomach).
- Stay hydrated on the plane. It’s very easy to get dehydrated while in the air, because the plane’s air is much dryer than what you’re used to. Each time the attendant goes by, take a bottle of water and drink it. Staying well-hydrated will also help you avoid developing a blood clot in your legs, which can occur after a long flight.
- Get up and walk. Another way to prevent a blood clot is to walk around periodically. Drinking a lot of water will remind you to walk, as you’ll need to use the bathroom. Try to get up every hour and stroll up and down the aisle a few times, whether you need to use the restroom or not.
- Pack some antibacterial wipes and use them to wipe down your tray and seat. There are a lot of germs floating around, and if you can kill some of the ones that are hanging out very close to you and your food, that’s all the better.
In the end, you still might end up catching a cold or the flu on your flight. It might be worth it to pack cold tablets in your luggage if you typically take them when you’re sick, and it’s always good to know how to find a doctor at your destination just in case you become seriously ill. Most of the time, though, “airplane colds” are just an inconvenience, and you’ll be feeling better before you need to do it all over again and fly home!
