Flying with an infectious disease in 2025: Do's and don'ts
Flying with an infectious disease in 2025: Do's and don'ts
Show Caption
Hide Caption
How airlines keep flights running smoothly during winter storms
What airlines do to prepare for winter weather and keep passengers safe
More airline passengers are choosing to fly while sick, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases.
Experts advise seeking medical advice if feeling unwell before or during a trip and recommend travel insurance that covers illness.
Passengers seated near someone who appears sick should consider wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, and requesting to be moved if uncomfortable.
On a recent flight from Charleston, South Carolina, to Newark, Sukrut Dwivedi noticed a passenger a few rows ahead of him coughing violently and uncontrollably.
"The man appeared feverish and kept reaching for tissues," said Dwivedi, a physician who works for ID Care, an infectious disease care provider. "I could see the passengers around him were very uncomfortable."
With flu season taking off, you might find yourself in a similar situation soon. Maybe someone seated near you looks sick. And maybe you're wondering what to do about it – or if you can do anything at all.
Check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!
I'm not going to mince words, folks: If you fly when you have an infectious disease, you win the award for the biggest jerk on the plane.
You're worse than the negligent parent with the toddler running free on the plane, worse than the honeymooners trying to join the Mile High club – worse, even than the whiny elite-level frequent flier in business class who calls the flight attendant "honey."
Your negligent actions could literally kill someone.
"Staying home could save the life of a baby, young child, or older person who is immunocompromised, is undergoing chemotherapy, or is not up to date on important vaccinations," said Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician who is also an editor at large at Medscape Emergency Medicine.
You'll be needing a vacation from your vacation if you're traveling like this
Everyone hates tourists: Here's how to be a better traveler
More airline passengers are flying sick
Here's what Dwivedi did when he saw the sick passenger on his flight: He offered the coughing man a face mask, which he "gratefully accepted."
"The passenger confessed that he had been diagnosed with the flu the day before," he recalled. "But he felt compelled to travel for work."
With memories of COVID-19 fading, people like Dwivedi are concerned that too many passengers are flying with an infectious disease – perhaps more people than at any time since the pandemic.
Under current disability rules, airlines can only remove a customer if they present a "direct threat" to the safety of the passengers and crew. New government regulations, set to go into effect in April, will require airlines and ticket agents to issue non-expiring travel credits if passengers are restricted or prohibited from traveling because of a serious communicable disease. But that wouldn't stop someone like the Influenza Man from boarding his flight.
It's not always that simple
Reality check: Things can get complicated when you're traveling. For example, deciding to postpone a trip if you get sick before your flight may be a no-brainer. But what if you get sick when you're at your destination? And what if you don't have the resources to extend your hotel stay?
All the experts I spoke to seem to agree on this: If you think you might be contagious – even on your return journey – seek the advice of a medical professional. Sometimes, it might be fine to fly with a face mask, but ask a doctor and don't assume you're OK to fly.
There are two things you can do to avoid flying while sick. First, ensure that you have a travel insurance policy that covers you if you fall ill. "Insurance to cover hospital bills is essential," said John Gobbels, chief operating officer of air medical transport and travel security program Medjet. But insurance can also cover a hotel if you become ill or have your travel interrupted. (For more serious problems, you may need a more robust medical evacuation membership like Medjet.)
And you should also travel with a basic medical kit. It should include hand sanitizer, tissues, over-the-counter medications for common ailments, and a few disposable masks, according to Eugene Delaune, an ER physician and senior medical advisor to Allianz Partners. "Treating your symptoms not only helps you feel better but also reduces the risk of spreading the illness to others.'
Travel fakes exposed: Simple steps to protect your trip – and your wallet
I travel nonstop. Here are 5 places you can't miss in 2025.
What should you do if you feel sick before your flight?
If you don't feel 100% before your flight, see a doctor, for goodness' sake.
'If you have any signs or symptoms of a possible contagious ailment, you should be tested prior to traveling," said Jeff Weinstein, the medical operations manager for Global Rescue. "It is impossible to tell the cause of your symptoms without the appropriate testing."
And if you are sick, ask your doctor to recommend your next steps.
"But if your doctor advises against travel, heed the advice," said Bob Bacheler, managing director of Flying Angels, a medical transportation service. (This is also important if you need to file a travel insurance claim.)
Bacheler said the best way to avoid the question of: "Am I OK to fly?" is to take all necessary precautions. He's taken the flu vaccine every year for the last 30 years, and he gets a COVID booster whenever it's available. He also takes sensible precautions when he flies, like avoiding crowds and not touching surfaces that might be contaminated (he travels with disinfectant wipes).
What should you do if you're seated next to a sick person on a flight?
If your seatmate looks unwell, I think you have a right to know if you're going to end up in the ER after the flight. So striking up a friendly conversation and maybe an "Are you feeling OK?" is a good idea.
Raymond Yorke, a spokesman for Redpoint Travel Protection, said Dwivedi had the right idea. During the peak of flu season, you should wear a mask on the plane – and bring extra ones. Hand sanitizer is a must, too. And share.
"Wearing a mask and practicing proper hand hygiene can help minimize the risk to others," he said. "This has become an expected practice post-pandemic."
But what if the passenger next to you won't talk to you and tells you to mind your own business? I've seen that as well. In that case, asking a flight attendant to move you might be the best solution. If the passenger is sneezing and wheezing uncontrollably, you may want to privately ask a crew member if they would consider removing the ill passenger. Remember, this person is a selfish moron for flying sick.
What's the solution to people flying while infected?
The solution to people getting infected on a plane isn't as simple as sick people refusing to fly. There will always be selfish knuckle-draggers who fly even when they could infect the entire plane.
The government took a necessary step by requiring airlines to issue flight vouchers to infected passengers starting this spring. But it's not enough. The only way more travelers would cancel their plans is if it didn't affect them financially. That's right – airlines would have to refund the entire ticket if passengers get a doctor's note.
Some forward-looking, compassionate airlines already quietly do this for passengers on a case-by-case basis. But it needs to become a formal policy so passengers can safely cancel their flights when they fall ill.
There's no telling how many lives this policy would help. But even if it saved just one person, wouldn't it be worth it?
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
UK ‘not ready' for major animal disease outbreak
Britain is not prepared to handle a major outbreak of disease in animals like bird flu, foot and mouth or African swine fever, the government's spending watchdog has warned. The UK would be 'unable to respond effectively' to an animal outbreak, which could cost the UK economy billions in lost livestock and pose a significant risk to human health, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The report examines the readiness of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and has found significant shortcomings in its contingency planning. There is a 'very high risk' of Weybridge, the government's biosecure containment labs responsible for testing animal diseases, being unable to cope with the demands of testing and tracing in the event of a major outbreak, it said, noting that the issue 'has worsened' in recent years. DEFRA rated the likelihood of such a failure at 25 out of 25, the maximum rating that can be given. 'The site is in poor condition, with ageing buildings that need major repair and replacement, and a lack of capacity to carry out research and testing,' the report says. While a £2.8 billion redevelopment programme at Weybridge was now underway, the main new laboratory facilities will not be delivered for another 10 years, it added. Plans for how outbreaks of several major diseases including bird flu, which has already killed more than seven million birds in Britain since 2020, have not been updated in more than a decade. The government came under similar criticism during the Covid inquiry after it was revealed the UK did not have an up-to-date pandemic plan or strategy. The last one was published in 2011 and has not been revised since. The risk of 'exotic' animal diseases entering the country is also rising, partly because only five per cent of live animal imports are being physically checked at the border – far below the target of 100 per cent set by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an arm of DEFRA, which was meant to be reached last year. Adding to the concern, around 20 per cent of veterinary positions at APHA are currently unfilled, further weakening the UK's ability to respond swiftly to a crisis. DEFRA also lacks a comprehensive livestock tracing system, which is 'crucial to responding quickly and effectively to contain an outbreak,' the report says. The systems currently in place are 'fragmented' and 'run on outdated legacy systems,' including a cattle tracing platform which was set up in 1998 and has 'significant reliability issues'. During recent outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu, APHA and local authorities had to distribute flyers in areas where the infection was present and send out teams to find farms at risk of contracting the virus, because the government agency did not have a complete list of poultry farms and bird keepers. The government department has also failed to test its response capabilities in any meaningful way, according to the watchdog. Exercises to test outbreak contingency plans have been increasingly 'table-top' exercises – meaning they are conducted online rather than in the field – which would better simulate a real outbreak scenario. As it stands, a major animal disease outbreak would cost the UK economy hundreds of millions, or even billions, of pounds. The NAO cited the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak, which resulted in an estimated £13.8 billion in economic losses. 'A long-term strategy and action plan are urgently needed, to protect national economic resilience as well as food security, human health and rural communities,' said Gareth Davies, head of the NAO. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts, said: 'Despite some good work to identify new threats, Government's preparations for a future major outbreak are being hampered by a lack of capacity, skills and long-term strategy. 'The government's failure to carry out checks on animal imports is also threatening biosecurity at the border. Resilience to a severe outbreak has not been tested in recent years, but the threat remains ever increasing as our livestock become more susceptible to disease. 'Without changes to the current operating system, there is a very real risk that the Government would not be able to respond effectively.' Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Grace Schara's wrongful death trial against Ascension St. Elizabeth begins
APPLETON - The jury trial involving the death of Grace Schara, 19, at an Ascension hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic got underway June 3 in Outagamie County Circuit Court. The Freedom teen died Oct. 13, 2021, seven days after she was admitted to Ascension NE Wisconsin-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton for symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scott Schara, her dad, sued the hospital a year and a half later in a wrongful death case that includes claims of medical negligence, violation of informed consent and battery. Dr. Gavin Shokar, who was the primary doctor in charge of Grace's care, and Hollee McInnis, a registered nurse who provided medications to Grace while she was a patient in the intensive care unit, are also named as defendants in the case. In an approximately 30-minute opening statement, Warner Mendenhall, one of Schara's attorneys, said Grace's stay at St. Elizabeth was a precautionary measure to provide her with supplementary oxygen and steroids. But she quickly began facing issues. On two occasions shortly after she was admitted, on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, Grace was given Precedex, which "dangerously lowered her blood pressure and pulse," Mendenhall claimed. On both occasions, Grace's condition improved after medical staff stopped or turned down her dose of the medication, he said. Scott Schara stayed with his daughter at the hospital for several days, until staff asked him to leave, and he was escorted out of the hospital by security guards on Oct. 10. He was persistent with asking questions of medical staff, but was "doing exactly what he was supposed to do as a dad and power of attorney for health care,' Mendenhall said. The family had lawyers negotiate with the hospital to allow older sister Jessica Vander Heiden to be with Grace. On the morning of Oct. 13, Shokar spoke with Grace's family over the phone saying Grace was stable and they should focus on nutrition and movement so Grace could soon go home. 'Oddly though, despite Grace's improving condition, Shokar requested Scott authorize a ventilator, even though there was no need for a ventilator at that time,' Mendenhall said. Mendenhall said Scott Schara did not want his daughter to be placed on a ventilator. But as a result of this conversation, Shokar not only documented that Grace had a Do Not Intubate order, known as a DNI, but also a Do Not Resuscitate Order, known as DNR. The Schara family did not learn Grace has been labeled DNR until Grace was in respiratory distress shortly before she died later that night. 'Dr. Shokar watched this 19-year-old girl breathing fast, and instead of assessing why, without talking to the family before, and Nurse McInnis, injected Grace Schara with morphine, a powerful opioid drug that suppresses breathing,' Mendenhall said. Scott and Cindy Schara, Grace's mother, then had to watch their daughter die over FaceTime, with their cries for medical staff to save their daughter ignored, Mendenhall said. 'At this trial, we will show that Grace Schara, a beautiful, gifted 19-year-old girl with Down syndrome, was killed by a deadly injection while dozens of medical personnel stood aside and did nothing,' Mendenhall said. Attorneys for the defendants painted a very different picture of Grace's hospital stay and the events leading up to her death. Two attorneys delivered opening statements for the defense: Jason Franckowiak, who represents defendants Ascension Health and McInnis; and Randall Guse, who represents Ascension Medical Group – Fox Valley Wisconsin, Inc. and Shokar. Grace did not die of any injection she was given by hospital staff, the attorneys argued. She died of a COVID-19 infection, which worsened during her days at the hospital, despite medical staff's best attempts to save her. Additionally, attorneys said Grace's family had consented during a conversation with Shokar to both a "Do Not Intubate" and a "Do Not Resuscitate" order. Franckowiak said evidence presented at trial will dispute multiple claims made by the plaintiffs, including that the medications and dosages provided to Grace were standard in the intensive care unit. Specifically, Precedex and lorazepam, both sedatives, were used in an effort reduce her rapid breathing and allow her to take deeper breaths and take in more oxygen. After administration of those drugs did little for her vitals, Shokar ordered McInnis, one of Grace's nurses, to administer a small dose of morphine. That drug, Franckowiak said, helped temporarily improve Grace's oxygenation, from around 50% to 98%. "Dr. Shokar reached a reasonable conclusion that the morphine had done exactly what he had intended it to do: it had lowered Grace's rate of breathing sufficient to allow her take deeper breaths, therefore increasing her oxygenation level,' Franckowiak said. Grace was stable for about an hour, but then her lungs gave out, Franckowiak said. He said experts will testify that without the ability to intubate Grace, chest compressions would not have been effective. And a reversal agent like naloxone would not have been effective, as the plaintiffs asserted. "The only potential way for Grace's emergent pulmonary condition to have been adequately addressed at the point of her arrest would have been mechanical ventilation, but doctors and nurses had been explicitly forbidden by Mr. Schara (from) intubating Grace," Franckowiak said. Franckowiak also said Scott Schara will be asked to testify about some of his beliefs, which have 'shaped the allegations' he is making. Among them are a belief that the COVID-19 pandemic was planned to create fear and a general distrust of medical personnel. Cindy Schara, Grace's mom, was the first witness to testify for the plaintiffs. She detailed how Grace began to show symptoms of COVID-19, which she describes as similar to allergy symptoms, after the family attended a concert in Oshkosh on Sept. 25. Grace was not vaccinated, and on Oct. 1 she tested positive for the virus. Cindy said she had the same symptoms, which is why she was never able to go to the hospital to be with Grace. Cindy Schara also confirmed she and Scott Schara had been researching how to treat COVID-19 prior to seeking medical help for Grace on Oct. 6. Cindy Schara said they were researching protocols provided by Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance. The group, now known as the Independent Medical Alliance, was formed in April 2020 by physicians and former journalists who advocated for unapproved treatments, such as ivermectin, for COVID-19. Both its founders have since had their medical board certifications revoked. She said the organization advised taking supplements, which they did, and to seek medical help if blood-oxygen saturation levels dropped below 94%, which they also did. Cindy Schara said the family would never made a decision on a DNR order on its own. If they were, they would want other family members, their pastor, primary care physician and a lawyer to be involved in the conversation. "It would be a terrible thing to have to decide," she said, indicating she and her husband never made that decision during two separate phone calls with Shokar. She was questioned at length about her and her husband's views on the medical professional after Grace's death. She acknowledged she believes the COVID-19 vaccine is a bioweapon and young vaccinated men, once vaccinated, became sterile, among other things. None of these theories are supported by research or the scientific community. The trial is expected to last up to four weeks. Jessica Van Egeren is a health care reporter and assistant breaking news editor with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at jvanegeren@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trial begins against Ascension hospital in Appleton over Grace Schara's death
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Family of 19-Year-Old Grace Schara takes hospital to court in landmark wrongful death case
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – In a case that has captivated the community and raised profound questions about medical ethics, the trial concerning the wrongful death of 19-year-old Grace Schara commenced on Tuesday in Outagamie County court. The young woman, who had Down syndrome, died at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton in 2021 after contracting COVID-19. The Schara family has launched a civil lawsuit against the hospital, alleging medical negligence, violations of informed consent, and battery. Wisconsin DNR: Limit time outside due to Canadian wildfire smoke As opening statements unfolded Tuesday morning, the parents of Grace argued that their daughter was administered a combination of medications—precedex, lorazepam, and morphine—without their knowledge or consent. They contend that these drugs, rather than complications from COVID-19, led to Grace's respiratory distress and ultimately her untimely death. The family only discovered a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order had been placed on Grace's chart when she was already in critical condition, prompting concerns that medical staff had failed to honor their last-minute request to change her DNR status. The case marks a significant moment in legal history, as it is the first to challenge the designation of COVID-19 as the primary cause of death on a death certificate. The hospital, however, has firmly denied the allegations, asserting that Grace received appropriate care from a team of medical professionals and that her deterioration was a natural progression of her illness. 'Nothing is urgent enough to destroy their life': Sheriff in Wisconsin catches driver going 105 mph in a 55 zone During the trial, plaintiff attorney Warner Mendenhall emphasized the alarming sequence of events leading to Grace's decline, stating, 'Instead of recognizing the life-threatening situation and reducing the medications causing the problems, this medical team did the opposite.' In contrast, defense attorney Jason John Franckowiak argued that the claims are based on misunderstandings surrounding Grace's care, asserting that the medical team acted within the accepted standard of care. Defense attorney Randall also addressed the court, saying, 'We believe the evidence will show that Dr. Shokar's care and treatment of Grace Schara on October 12th and 13th of 2021, met the standard of care that applied.' The emotional weight of the trial is compounded by the heartbreaking testimony from Grace's mother, Cindy Schara, who recalled her daughter's vibrant spirit and artistic talents. 'She was so talented when it came to coloring, and she loved to leave notes for people,' Cindy reflected. 'She learned how to play violin, she was a dancer, she was an actor, she loved to be in plays, our home-schooled plays.' Wisconsin Department of Transportation warning residents of fake DMV link scams As the trial unfolds, it is expected to last up to 3 weeks, drawing attention to critical issues surrounding informed consent and the rights of patients and their families in the healthcare system. The outcome of this landmark case could have far-reaching implications for how medical decisions are made, especially during a public health crisis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
