How to Stay Healthy 'Up in the Air'

We all know someone who flew home from a vacation with an unexpected souvenir: a cold or virus. It may seem that flying can make you sick, but it’s better to look at data than to rely on hearsay, a Cleveland Clinic travel medicine expert advises.

Perceptions can fool you. “For example, people perceive that gas prices go up before holiday weekends, but data tells us prices go up and down equally,” says Steven D. Mawhorter, MD, DTM&H. And while you’re no more likely to get sick traveling than at other times, “it’s more memorable to get sick on vacation — it’s the last thing you want,” he says.

Below, Dr. Mawhorter takes on common beliefs about air travel and suggests practical ways to take control of your health:

Airplane air is full of germs.

False. Sitting on the tarmac, the air inside a plane may seem stuffy because it is recirculated and filtered.  That changes once you get to high altitudes. Half the air in an airplane at 30,000 feet is coming in from outside the plane and is absolutely sterile. It has no microbes! The rest of the air is filtered — using high-efficiency-particle HEPA filters — so breathe easy.

You’ll get sick if another passenger is ill.

Not necessarily. You may be exposed to an illness, ranging from a cold to the flu, if you are sitting immediately next to, in front of or behind someone on the plane who is infected. The increased mingling of people in an airport does present some risk. You’re likely to be in greater contact with people and contaminated surfaces as you’re being processed for a flight or walking through a concourse than you are when you’re at work.

You can take steps to protect yourself.

True. If you cover your cough, wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face, you are more likely to stay healthy. Using hand sanitizer after touching surfaces touched by others is a great idea. That gets tricky because you can’t bring gel or liquids on a plane. Hand sanitizer towelettes offer an airplane-friendly way to keep your hands germ-free. And always get vaccinated against the flu each year.

A good night’s sleep will help you resist infection.

True. A recent study found that the likelihood of developing a cold was greater with less than seven hours of sleep, compared with eight or more hours of sleep. Think about how you might get more rest before, during and on your way home from a trip. Plan to get eight hours in before flying — if you don’t plan ahead, it’s all too easy to stay out late the night before. For long flights, eye patches, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones and a neck pillow can help you sleep.

Taking vitamins will protect you from infection while flying.

Not likely. A popular vitamin-mineral-and-herb supplement claims to reduce risks of infection while flying, but no data support those claims. However, simple routine multivitamins can be helpful, especially if you have diabetes or other chronic medical illnesses.

You can avoid jetlag with carb-loading and caffeine.

False. A lot of folklore exists about caffeine and carb-loading, but no data show that any jet-lag “remedies” actually work. One thing that won’t help is drinking alcohol to fall asleep on a plane. Drinking enhances dehydration, and dehydration worsens jet lag. Exposure to sunlight at your destination and good sleep patterns are your best defense.

Thinking you’ll get sick while flying increases the likelihood of getting sick while flying.

False. Anxiety won’t make you ill, but it will certainly put a damper on your travels. Take the measures mentioned above to protect yourself and to reduce any stress. One thing to keep in mind is personal protection if you have a health issue that may worsen with infection. You can purchase lightweight N-95 masks at any home improvement store. No prescription is needed. They will filter out 95 percent of particulates, including germs, and provide you with peace of mind.

Here’s to a healthy New Year and exciting, productive travels.

Dr. Steven Mawhorter specializes in the immunology of infectious diseases, international travel preparation, and travel/tropical medicine.