How to avoid germs on flights?

Diane60

The past few times I have been on holiday, I have had colds about three days after flying. I have taken Vitamin C tables to increase my immunity but it didn't seem to work. Has anyone any tips (apart from a face mask!) to avoid the germs of my fellow passengers on board flights.

withabix

Don't turn the blower on above your seat.

Recirculated germ-laden air blown straight at your nose and mouth in a concentrated stream. Nice.

I had a horrible 2 week cold and chest infection after I got back from Lanzarote four weeks ago, although I blame that specifically on a scumbag of a woman in the row behind coughing and sputtering all the way back to the UK without using a tissue or covering her mouth or nose, who was also moaning loudly that I reclined my seat on a night flight....so I reclined it a bit more

There is a Vicks nasal spray that is suposed to guard against this (First Defence or something???) and hand sprays of similar type.

shandyclover

Wash your hands whenever you can or use those alcohol gel handwashes. Don't touch your eyes, nose, ears or face. If you want to be very fanatical, avoid sugar, caffiene and alcohol 24 hours before during and after your flight. Don't get too much sun.

Toothsmith

I would agree with the above.

Hand hygiene is THE most important thing in cross infection control. Use sanitiser gel every time you get back to your seat after getting up and touching things like toilet door handles other seats etc.

A bit of vaseline round your nostrils can help filter out some of the gremlins.

Bear in mind the 100cc limit for bottles of liquid that you can carry onto planes though. Take small sample sanitiser gels rather than a big bottle.

ziggyman99

Start a campaign to bring back smoking on planes.....:D

No really! When smoking was allowed they changed the air far more frequently than they do now. All they do now is suck in the germs, spread them around the plane, do that 10 times before changing the air.

And the reason for this? All the air that comes into the plane has to be heated (coz it's frickin' cold outside). This costs money (fuel) so if they can get away with less air changes, they save money.

withabix

ziggyman99 wrote: »

And the reason for this? All the air that comes into the plane has to be heated (coz it's frickin' cold outside). This costs money (fuel) so if they can get away with less air changes, they save money.

...and it is full of exhaust gases.

Google 'BAE 146' (by far one of the worst planes for this) and you will understand why quite a modern plane has virtually disappeared from use as a passenger aircraft!

pjran

A few years ago I was told/read to dab a little Tea Tree oil under my nose. I can't remember who told me but it seems to work.

It's also a good antiseptic so worth carrying in your handbag. It does smell a bit but it's worth it. Tea Tree oil is sold in very small bottles 10ml, Boots and Superdrug do their own brands so you don't have to buy an expensive one from health shop.

Katiehound

There are a couple of things on this website that I might try- including a nasal spray- sorry I am in a hurry so haven't had time to find the precise items for you! There's also a gadget that you plug into the air vent to clean the air and lasts for 10 flights.
http://www.presentsformen.co.uk/?nwbr=3&cid=OTPP0T74B0WQ69IR7BIYSUXF05RDLV32

Katiehound

If this helps anyone the codes and items (website as above) are:

Frequent Flyer (trade marked) nasal Spray- code 4066 @£12.99
Plane Clean Air- code 7754 £16.99
There's also a take Flight Travel Kit 4080- particularly for long haul £9.99

Might be worth a try!

Yolina

Diane, are you sure it's a cold? I used to be the same until a friend mentioned that it could be some kind of allergic reaction to all the perfume/aftershave type smells that get mixed in the enclosed space! I'm not allergic to pets and don't get hayfever but the next time it happened I got some hayfever tablets and it cleared what I though was a cold straight away. Definitely worth a try