5 days ago
Doctors Say This Is the Best Seat on a Plane to Avoid Getting Sick
There's a reason everyone freaked out about riding on airplanes during the pandemic: it's an easy way to get sick if you don't take precautions. 'Airline carriers are impressive carriers of the common cold,' says Anthony Ognjan, D.O., FACP., a board-certified osteopathic physician specializing in infectious diseases.
The good news is you can greatly reduce your risk of getting sick during a flight — and no, you don't need to travel in a bubble. Just follow the tips below from board-certified physicians.
What makes it so easy to get sick during a flight?
For starters, when you're on a plane, you're stuck in an enclosed space with quite a few people. 'On most commercial airplanes, there are a lot of people in close proximity for an extended period of time,' says Kathleen N. Mueller, M.D., FAAFP, the director of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'We know that respiratory droplets that come from a cough or sneeze are one of the most common ways to contract an illness like influenza or COVID-19 and with that many people in an enclosed space, you may find yourself exposed more frequently than you would in other situations.'
On top of that, airplane environments are like paradise for illness-causing bacteria and viruses. 'The air inside airplane cabins is notoriously dry with humidity levels often dropping below 20%, significantly lower than what your body is used to,' says Ognjan. 'For comparison, most homes maintain humidity levels between 30 and 60%. Low levels of humidity can affect the body's natural defense system, including mucus in the nose and your throat drying up, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs.'
Simply put, flights create a perfect storm for spreading germs: lots of people contained in an area with low humidity. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to offset those risks and avoid getting sick when you're flying.
What can you do to prevent contracting an illness on an airplane?
Use these doctor-approved tips to stay healthy during air travel.
'Generally speaking, a middle or aisle seat will have more contact with other passengers than a window seat will,' says Dr. Mueller. Of course, picking this seat isn't a guaranteed way to avoid germs, as research shows, it all depends on how close you are to an infected person, but Dr. Ognjan agrees that a window seat — especially one in the back of the plane — is often the safest. 'The last couple rows of the cabin prevent you from being breathed or coughed on from behind,' he says.
This is to lower the chances that you'll need to relieve yourself in an airplane bathroom. 'You have no control over what germs existed before you entered, and they are not cleaned mid-flight,' says Dr. Ognjan.
'Infections during flights can be transmitted not only by aerosols that remain airborne and can be inhaled, but also by large droplets that settle on surfaces or by direct contact with secretions, body fluids or contaminated surfaces,' says Dr. Ognjan. What's more, 'germs can survive for hours or days after the passenger who brought them on board has departed.' He suggests using disinfectant wipes (not baby wipes) on tray tables, armrests and seat belt buckles before use.
Before you eat on a plane, it's always smart to sanitize your hands first, says Dr. Mueller. Also, if you touch any communal surfaces (like the handle on the overhead bins), apply hand sanitizer and do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose afterward. 'It is one of the most likely culprits for increased risk of getting sick while flying,' says Dr. Ognjan.
'Even though it can be tempting, I recommend passing on the caffeine or alcohol, which can dehydrate you in already-dry air,' says Dr. Mueller.
Yes, most airplanes have air filtration systems, but research shows masks are still effective at slowing the spread of airborne illnesses, especially on longer flights. They're particularly helpful if you're immunocompromised, notes Dr. Mueller. 'A mask can help protect you from airborne germs, especially if someone nearby is coughing or sneezing,' adds Dr. Ognjan. 'If you notice someone coughing or sneezing, try to move away or ask for a different seat if available.'
The bottom line
'I want people to know that it is possible to travel without getting sick, especially if you take the right precautions!' says Dr. Mueller. 'If you have specific questions or concerns about upcoming travel, reach out to your family physician. We're here to help you navigate potentially stressful situations with confidence.' And if you happen to be the one who's sick while traveling, consider masking up and coughing and/or sneezing into your elbow when you're on the plane to lower the odds that you'll infect someone else.
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