Can you get sick after a long flight?

Is it normal to get a cold after traveling? For a lot of individuals, travel can be an exhausting experience and can take a toll on the body. Whether you're taking a road trip or flying on a plane to your destination, it is common for travelers to return home feeling sick after traveling for a period of time.



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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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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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It usually takes 3-4 days after your flight to recover. Though jet lag symptoms can be pretty uncomfortable, take heart in the fact that they usually don't last very long.

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After a flight, two great ways to relax and support your body are to dry brush and take an Epsom salt bath. Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system which aids in detoxification, and an Epsom salt bath (especially when mixed when baking soda) aids in muscle aches, inflammation, and radiation detoxification.

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Planes also have very little humidity and the dry air can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat.

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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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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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Remember that anything over 6 hours flying time is considered long haul, but flights of longer than 10 hours are not uncommon either. One important thing to remember is to keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

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Think of it as a flying desert. Besides sleepiness, lack of fluid can make you confused or dizzy. Your head may throb. These are warning signals that your body needs attention.

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Low humidity on airplanes
Low humidity can cause the nasal passages to dry out and cause irritation in the nose and throat. On top of that, bacteria and viruses can survive longer in low-humidity environments, making it harder for your body to fight off any infections you might catch aboard a plane.

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In terms of the common cold, it is now well-accepted that acute respiratory infections are frequently experienced after air travel. So it's no surprise when we find ourselves getting sick after flying.

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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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In terms of the common cold, it is now well-accepted that acute respiratory infections are frequently experienced after air travel. So it's no surprise when we find ourselves getting sick after flying. Studies have found a high prevalence and wide array of respiratory viruses in people who have recently traveled.

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