Is traveling on a plane harmful to health? Here we provide an overview of the most common "flying diseases" and how they can be avoided in simple and effective steps.
Staying thousands of meters above ground is not a reliable idea, but planes are considered one of the safest transportation in the world. But what does it look like when it comes to statistics on disease transmission, air pressure and other "aviation diseases"?
Airplanes contribute to the spread of epidemics, mainly due to the movement of people from one country to another. However, the spread of infection during a flight has not yet been established.
The World Health Organization indicates that the oxygen inside the plane changes approximately between 20 and 30 times per hour. Also, in most modern aircraft, air passes through a particle filter, where these filters play an important role in "catching" viruses and bacteria.
In a study released in 2018, experts collected nearly 230 air samples from 10 flights. After analyzing these samples, experts did not find any influenza viruses, although flights took place in the middle of the flu season.
However, it will be more difficult if someone sits next to a sick traveler, as the risk of infection increases, as is the case in some modes of transportation such as the bus, car, etc.
Here are the most important aviation diseases and how to deal with them:
1- Infection
Whoever wants to protect himself from infectious diseases while traveling on a plane, he must carry antiseptics with him in his handbag, and use it before eating, drinking, or placing his hand on the folding table in the plane. As for those who suffer from a cold and want to protect travelers, they can consider a face mask. In general, people with infectious diseases should postpone the planned trip.
2- Squeeze the ears
Low air pressure can relatively cause headaches and some problems in the ears, but chewing gum and yawning may help in dealing with the matter. As for those suffering from sinusitis, it is preferable to avoid flying in the plane.
3- Dry skin and eyes
On average, the humidity is around 20%, and low humidity leads to dry skin on the face and dry eyes, and moisturizers and eye drops help with this. It is also a good idea to use glasses for those who wear contact lenses, especially on long trips.