Airline travel, whether for business or pleasure, moves millions of people each year. These trips are often immediately followed by sickness. Twenty six percent of international travelers report acquiring a respiratory illness from airline travel [Source: Hill, Sohail]. Whether a person flies weekly or once a year, there are several steps to avoid these cases.
Known to decrease the effectiveness of the immune system, stress may be one of the biggest factors contributing to travel ailments. Air travel in general can be overwhelming. Packing, traffic, security, gate changes and flight delays can reap havoc on anyone’s emotional fortitude. And all of these hassles occur before you even get on the plane. Once you board, you have a crowded plane, babies crying, other folks coughing and complaining, turbulence, more turbulence, and a host of issues with the person sitting next to you.
Yes, there is quite a bit of stress that can come with a “simple” flight. Though some of these problems may be unavoidable, it’s important to take charge of the issues that you can control. Allow yourself enough time; time to pack, time to drive to the airport, time to get through security. Understand that delays happen, often for our own safety, and having ample time relieves the pressure to hurry through these checkpoints. Bring along materials to take your mind off the wait and annoyances. Books and puzzles are a great way to help the mind relax, and may help you sleep on the plane. Wear comfortable clothes and consider a small neck pillow.
The formation of blood clots is another concern for those traveling long distances. The risk of developing a blood clot in the lower leg during long air travel (usually 8 hours or more) is speculated to be fairly high, effecting up to 10 percent of travelers [Source: Lancet]. Even at this rate, most would be without symptoms and major problems. However, certain risks could raise the possibility for a symptomatic blood clot. These risk factors include a previous blood clot, recent surgery, pregnancy, birth control pills and smoking [Source: Sohail]. Any concern should be discussed with a physician prior to travel.
Always remember a healthy body is much more likely to fight off an infection than an overstressed, undernourished one. Take time to feed your body well for days before the flight. Get plenty of fruits and vegetables to increase vitamin intake, and limit sugary or fried foods when traveling as sugar affects the immune system and fried foods may sit heavy in the stomach. Healthy foods might not be readily available. Be prepared.
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