Recycled air, low humidity and close quarters — all these factors make you 100 times more likely to catch a cold on a flight. So what can you do, save from wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves?
Ed Hewitt on Msnbc.com offers some fairly common sense suggestions. For example, Hewitt’s first tip is to stay hydrated. I know this, yet all that free booze on international flights makes an 8-hour trip so much more enjoyable. Drinking lots of water might help you after the flight, but sometimes it’s the here and now that counts. It’s a touch choice.
Hewitt also recommends washing your hands. I’m sort of appalled that he even needs to suggest this — I’d like to think that most of us are washing our hands regularly. When I travel I also bring handi-wipes and hand sanitizer for convenience — and no, I’m not a germaphobe. It’s just easier to sanitize than wash, dry, use a paper towel to open the restroom door so you don’t re-contaminate your hands, hold door with your leg while tossing the paper towel away, etc.
One unexpected tip is to use mouthwash to kill germs and add another layer of protection while also keeping your throat moist. Remember to carry nothing larger than a 3oz bottle.
How do you stay healthy on a flight?