Why do I get sick after I travel?

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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You may even be doing more or less physical activity than you normally do at home! These changes, especially sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption, can lead to a weakened immune system that can cause you to have flu-like symptoms after traveling.

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Medicines can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness, although many of them cause drowsiness. Talk to a healthcare professional to decide if you should take medicines for motion sickness. Commonly used medicines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and scopolamine.

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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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The effects of flying on the human body vary from mild skin dryness to more severe problems like deafness. Flying increases the risk of catching a cold, dehydration, aging faster, reduced alertness, increased risk of diseases like cancer, fuzzy thinking, and many others.

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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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