Why do I get so sick after flying?

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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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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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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The altitude can cause dehydration in your digestive tract, and when you couple that with the tissues in your organs losing water throughout the flight, you will land feeling bloated and crummy – and likely be constipated when you get to where you're going.

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Some recent studies do in fact suggest that traveling, especially flying, can have a negative effect on your immune system, thus making it easier for you to get sick.

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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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Our immune systems are sensitive to fluctuations in hormone levels, and when things are kept in delicate balances, the emotional and physical exertions of flying can be enough to trigger immune responses you don't want.

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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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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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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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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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The Airport and Airplanes are Full of Germs Airplanes are just as dirty. Studies have shown bacteria and viruses living on armrests, seat belts, window shades, tray tables, toilet handles, and more for DAYS.

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About a quarter of passengers get airsick, according to one study. The feeling is arguably more distressing than carsickness because, after all, an airplane passenger can't pull over and wait for the wave of nausea to pass. (Seasickness is still undeniably the worst of all, though.)

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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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Feeling unwell directly after a flight is often the cause of low humidity. 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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Crew require a minimum of three hours rest when the flight duty period exceeds 14 hours (from when crew 'sign on' to 15 minutes after engines off). For flight duty periods longer than 18 hours, 4.5 hours bunk rest is required. The crew take turns for rest breaks. The first group will rest after the first meal service.

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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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Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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Aircraft cabin air is also very dry... This will make you dehydrated whether you feel thirsty or not.... and dehydration adds to fatigue after flights. Combine the two.... less oxygen per breath and dry air, and no wonder you feel done in at the end of a flight.

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