Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. I have heard that it’s very easy to get sick when flying on an airplane. What can I do to protect myself?
A. I recently took a vacation, and once I got home and returned to work, I was slammed with a cold and sinus infection. I learned that I really have to be proactive when it comes to air travel. I made a mental note to be proactive about traveling. There are some things I will definitely do before I fly.
It’s important to drink a lot of water in order to stay hydrated. It is very dry in an airplane. When we are adequately hydrated, our bodies can work properly by naturally draining the toxins that accumulate in them.
It’s important to protect our eyes and nasal passages. Since bacteria is airborne, I will definitely wear a mask next time I fly. I will have to put vanity aside and I’ll probably look silly, but I don’t need to expose myself unnecessarily to someone else’s cold or flu bug.
Airplane cabins tend to be very dry and may cause my eyes or nose to feel dry. I need to be very careful not to touch my eyes or nose. I would pack disinfectant wipes and wipe down the arm rests, tray, and the other areas that could infect me.
Hand washing is also extremely important and especially important when flying. I try to use the facilities before boarding and then wash my hands carefully, using proper hand-washing practices. Carrying a small hand sanitizer will be helpful when soap and water are not available.
I need to be observant and notice the passengers around me. If I am seated next to someone who is obviously ill, I know I will prefer a different seat. I can ask the steward if they could possibly move me.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends keeping the ventilation open so as to encourage air circulation. I usually keep mine off, but in the future, I will keep it on. This will keep air around me moving.
As we age, we are more susceptible to getting sick. It’s not a pleasant reality, but we can take precautions! If we put a little effort into preparing for our travel, we will increase our chances to remain healthy, plus we won’t be contributing to the challenges for other travelers!
• Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177
