• Window seat passengers get up less often so
consequently are less exposed,
then those who sit on the aisles, to people walking by coughing and hacking.
That said, if you need to use the bathroom more frequently, the aisle is a
better option.
• Sitting still in cramped seats can increase
risk for thrombosis-blood
clots form in the legs. To reduce risk of a clot breaking off and moving to the
lung get up every three-four hours and walk around or flex your legs (pressing
down on your heels and up with your toes).
• Carry and use sanitizing gel with 60%
alcohol. Before you eat or
drink sanitize. Sanitize after you wash your hands in the bathroom sink as
airplane water is not that clean.
• Staying hydrated while flying is
important. If you have a
suppressed immune system, don’t drink the water. While improvements have been
made in water quality, bottled water is your safest bet. You can take an empty
water bottle through security and fill it up at the water fountain, and there
are also good filtration systems you can purchase for water bottles as an extra
safety measure. Avoid soft drinks, alcohol and coffee as these are natural
diuretics causing more frequent urination. For long trips, it’s recommended
that you start hydrating the day before
• Use the restroom before boarding the
plane in order to avoid
having to use one during the flight. If you do use the on board bathroom, close
the lid before flushing, using a paper towel between your hand and the lid and
the handle. Wash hands thoroughly, using a paper towel to turn off the faucet and
use hand sanitizer when you return to your seat.
• Touching your eyes is one of the primary
means of transmitting cold and flu viruses. If you have germs on your
hands, they can travel through the tear ducts to the nasopharynx at the back of
the throat, where cold viruses do their damage. Because it’s so dry on a plane,
eyes become dry and you are more apt to rub them. To avoid this, keep hands as
clean as possible. If you wear contacts, remove them for the flight, opting for
glasses instead.
• Bring
your own pillow and blanket. Not only will you sleep better, but
it will be germ free
• Bring
your own food. A lot of airlines no longer offer food
•
Air pressure is lower on a plane than it is at seal level.
This isn’t a problem for most people. However, older people, those with heart
conditions or other pre existing conditions can have problems. Check with your
medical provider before planning a trip that involves a long plane travel.
• If
you have a cold, but need to travel, use a tissue as well as direct the
sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Wear a mask.
•
If you need to travel with medication, you will need to meet the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) standards. Know the regulations on
your medication before arriving at the airport. According to the TSA, travelers
can bring medications in pill or solid forms onto airplanes in unlimited
amounts as long as they're screened. If your medication is liquid, you don't
have to follow the rules that apply to other liquids in carry-ons.
For example, you're permitted to pack medically necessary liquids in carry-on
containers larger than 3.4 ounces as long as the medication is in a
"reasonable quantity" for your flight. You also don't have to place
liquid medications in a zip-close bag. However, if you do have a medically
necessary liquid in your carry-on, you have to give your TSA agent a heads-up
about it at the beginning of the security screening process.
The TSA recommends packing medication in a carry-on in the
event that you should need it on the flight, but travelers are permitted to
pack their medicines in either their carry-ons or
checked luggage. Medication is usually screened by an X-ray at security, but
you can request to have yours inspected rather than X-rayed if you want. Make
sure to make this request before sending any of your items through the X-ray tunnel.
Note, each U.S.
state has its own individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription
medication, so if you're traveling domestically within the United States,
educate yourself on the state laws you need to know before traveling with your medications.
Travelers flying
internationally with prescription medication should keep in mind that their
medicines could be considered illegal substances under local laws in other
countries. If this is a concern, contact the embassy or consulate of the country
you plan to visit to make sure your medications are OK to take abroad. The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides traveler health
information, including information on drug regulations in specific
destinations.
Additionally, the
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has guidelines for people
traveling with internationally-controlled drugs. If your treatment falls under
this category, check the UNODC website to see how your medications are
regulated on an international basis.
Additional Reading
• Jet
lag can wreck a lot more than a trip. Moving through time zones
can play havoc with our bodies, leading to extreme fatigue along with indigestion, bowel problems, loss of
appetite, memory and concentration issues. The expression “west is
best, east is a beast” is actually true simply because you’ll be waking up when
your body is trying to sleep. Your body is better equipped to cope with a
longer day than a shorter one. Check out How to Get Over Jet Lag: 14 Tips for Beating Time Zone Tiredness
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