Are you more likely to get sick while traveling?

You may be staying up later, consuming more alcohol and getting less exercise than usual. You're also more likely to be in crowded places for prolonged periods, interacting with a more diverse population than you're used to.” All of these factors can weaken your immune system and set the stage for getting sick.



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Whether you're packing up the family for a road trip or flying around the world, vacations often come with unexpected surprises that can compromise your immune system. When we travel our bodies endure a lot of stress, says Gretchen Genato, a nurse practitioner at Cedars-Sinai's Playa Vista Urgent Care.

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When you're traveling, it's likely you'll come into contact with many different people, areas, and surfaces. As we mentioned earlier, your immune system may already be weakened from the effects of traveling, making you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.

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There's actually no research to show you're more likely to get sick on a plane. But any time you are in close contact with a lot of people, germs are bound to spread. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to stay healthy and enjoy your vacation.

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The culprit: Low cabin humidity At very low levels of humidity, the natural defense system of mucus in our noses and throats dries up and is crippled, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs to infect us.

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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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Many journal articles and reference books related to travel medicine cite that between 22–64% of international travellers become ill during or after travel; however, this information is minimal, outdated and limited by poor generalizability.

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Take Vitamins Before Your Flight It certainly can't hurt to take a standard multivitamin, which you should start taking at least 2 days before flying. If you still happen to get sick after taking precautions, vitamin C can help to reduce the severity and longevity of your cold symptoms.

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Here are some other places you can turn to for health care while you're traveling.
  1. #1: Nurse hotline. Calling a nurse hotline is a great first step. ...
  2. #2: Virtual care and telehealth. You can't learn the cause of your sickness or get medicine from a nurse hotline. ...
  3. #3: Retail health clinic. ...
  4. #4: Urgent care center.


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Traveling has the ability to take you out of our daily routine and into new surroundings and experiences and this can reset your body and mind. Even planning a trip can have a fantastic effect on the body – it boosts happiness and feels rewarding. Not only does travel reduce stress but it expands the mind.

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Low air pressure during air travel also decreases the amount of oxygen in the air. This effect is modest and generally not noticeable for healthy travelers. For patients with significant lung disease, a small decrease in available oxygen can cause significant symptoms, especially with exercise.

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Common travel-related illnesses include:
  • Diarrheal disease. Most travel-related diarrheal diseases are acquired by consuming contaminated water and food.
  • Hepatitis A. ...
  • Malaria. ...
  • Dengue fever. ...
  • Parasitic infections. ...
  • Tuberculosis. ...
  • Typhoid fever. ...
  • Yellow fever.


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Drink several bottles of water a day to flush your system and stay hydrated. Gargling with warm salt water can help to relieve a sore throat and reduce that scratchy, itchy feeling.

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Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.

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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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These places provide ideal conditions for spreading many acute respiratory infections like common colds and influenza. Dry aircraft cabin atmospheres and smoking more than usual (even passively), exposure to new allergens, dust and city air pollution will all contribute to respiratory symptoms.

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Wearing a high-quality mask or respirator is most beneficial when: You are in crowded or tight spaces with poor ventilation like airport jetways, airplanes when the ventilation system is off, seaports, or when in close-contact situations like on a train or bus.

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