Doctor Shares Four Rules to Avoid Getting Sick on Airplanes
An ear, nose, and throat specialist outlines strategies for healthier air travel, including seat selection and drink choices.
A US-based ear, nose, and throat specialist has outlined four key practices to help travelers stay healthy during flights. Dr. Inna Husain, a board-certified otolaryngologist, shared her personal travel rules, emphasizing strategies to combat the dry cabin air, pressure changes, and proximity to other passengers.
Hydration and Decongestants
Dr. Husain advises keeping nasal passages hydrated due to the extremely dry air on planes, which can irritate the nasal lining and potentially make individuals more susceptible to viruses. She recommends using a natural nasal saline gel. For issues like blocked ears during descent, she suggests using oxymetazoline nasal spray about an hour before landing. While acknowledging that ENTs often caution against chronic use due to potential rebound congestion, she finds it effective for acute issues like preventing ear pain during flights, a practice she has used with her children.
However, she stresses consulting a healthcare professional before using decongestant sprays, as they are not suitable for everyone and prolonged use can worsen congestion. Evidence supporting their consistent prevention of flight-related ear pain is also limited.
Seat Choice and Drink Selection
Perhaps one of Dr. Husain's most notable recommendations is her preference for window seats over aisle seats. She states that airflow modeling data suggests a lower risk of airborne respiratory illness in window seats, attributing this to minimizing contact with people moving through the aisle and being at the periphery of cabin airflow patterns. While modern aircraft utilize high-efficiency filtration, the risk of infection is also influenced by proximity to infected individuals, duration of exposure, and mask usage.
Finally, Dr. Husain avoids ice in her in-flight drinks. She explains that ice on planes can potentially be made from potable water systems that may harbor bacterial contamination, particularly if systems are not well-maintained. She notes that the CDC recommends avoiding ice unless the water source is known. This advice generated discussion among her followers, with some airline employees and flight attendants stating that ice is typically supplied in sealed bags from catering departments, distinct from the aircraft's onboard water supply used for hot beverages like tea and coffee.
