Are there side effects from flying?

The cramped conditions and long periods of being less active on a flight can cause pain, stiffness or swelling of your legs. Being less active can lead to slow blood flow in your veins which increases your risk of developing a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs most commonly form in the legs.



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There are factors that can make people more prone to getting sick from flying, experts say. The air on planes is low in humidity, which can irritate mucosal membranes in the nose and mouth and skin, leading passengers to scratch and create tiny tears.

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Nerves and tension can cause muscles to tense, resulting in pain following a flight.

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Air is actually less oxygen-dense at higher altitudes. Meaning the higher you go, the less oxygen will be available to you. While you may not consciously notice any trouble breathing, you are likely to feel drained and tired once you land at your destination.

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Gastrointestinal tract Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and stomach cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.

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It's possible that traveler's diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop traveler's diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.

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The main aspect of in-flight health that most of us will encounter is tiredness and changes to circadian rhythms. Flying often involves getting up at unsociable hours, inadequate sleep and messing up the body clock — all of which leave us more susceptible to being hit nastily by any bugs that may be floating about.

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Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder, but not temporary enough for many travelers. If you're flying from San Francisco to Rome for a 10-day trip, for example, it may take six to nine days to fully recover. That's because it can take up to a day for each time zone crossed for your body to adjust to the local time.

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Fever and body aches usually last for 3 to 5 days, but cough and fatigue may last for 2 weeks or more.

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Not being able to focus or function at your usual level. Stomach problems such as constipation or diarrhea. A general feeling of not being well. Mood changes.

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Dryness and air pressure changes can affect your ears, sinuses & taste. A 3 hour flight can shed up to 1.5 litres of water from the body. Aeroplane cabin humidity levels as low as 4% can cause the mucous membranes of your nose, mouth and throat to dry out.

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When it comes to combatting airplane germs, there are some ways to reduce your chances of getting sick after flying.
  1. Board The Airplane Last. ...
  2. Keep Your Hands As Clean As Possible. ...
  3. Sanitize The Area Where You're Sitting. ...
  4. Give Your System A Boost. ...
  5. Stay As Hydrated As Possible. ...
  6. Keep Oral Hygiene In Mind.


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Being confined for an extended length of time in a plane can be a risk factor as everyone is crowded together making it easier for infections to circulate. Planes also have very little humidity and the dry air can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat.

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The best way to recover after a long travel day
  1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Travel, especially on a plane, can be dehydrating. ...
  2. If you're not napping, stay engaged. ...
  3. Keep your blood flowing. ...
  4. Start moving ASAP. ...
  5. Get outside. ...
  6. Refuel with something satisfying or healthy. ...
  7. Prioritize rest. ...
  8. Take a shower or steam.


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Air travel Airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, from cramped conditions to the low humidity that characterizes the air circulating on board. Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat.

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Disembarkment syndrome is a medical condition that may occur following a sustained motion event like an aircraft flight or cruise. It is a neurological condition that is normally diagnosed by a neurologist when the sufferer reports a persistent swaying, rocking, or bobbing sensation.

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If you don't shower and bacteria and fungi do catch a ride back to your hotel with you, Tetro says you may end up depositing germs that aren't your own into your new space—particularly your bed.

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Planes have a different atmospheric pressure than we are used to, which can cause the nasal passages to dry, leading to symptoms resembling flu.

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“At oxygen levels equivalent to altitudes above 12,000ft (3.6km), healthy adults can start to show measurable changes in their memory, their ability to perform calculations and make decisions,” BBC had reported earlier.

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Traveler's diarrhea occurs within 10 days of travel to an area with poor public hygiene. It's the most common illness in travelers. It's caused by drinking water or eating foods that have bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It usually goes away without treatment in a few days.

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