“Several factors can increase the odds of coming home from vacation with a cold or other respiratory infection. On airplanes, we are susceptible to disease from other passengers sitting near us,†said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “Bacteria and viruses can be found on tray tables, seat-back pockets and reused airline’s pillows and blankets.â€
To lower your risk of illness resulting from air travel, the department suggests:
– Drink water to stay hydrated.
– Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
– Clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand cleanser.
– Cover you nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
– Avoid the pocket in the back of the seat.
– Bring your own pillow and blanket.
– Open the overhead air vent to circulate the air around you.
– Change seats, if possible, when sitting next to someone with a cold.
– Raise concerns if air circulation is shut off for an extended period of time.
Speaking of air circulation on planes…. Despite the popular belief that the recirculated air we breath on planes is the cause of many maladies, the LA Department of Public Health mentions a study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research which found this not to be true due in large part to the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters found on most planes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that these filters capture up to 99.9% of bacterial and virus-carrying particles.
For more information: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov
