While the rest of us were preparing for Thanksgiving, the CDC was kicking off its largest-ever public awareness campaign about staying healthy while traveling.
And not a moment too soon.
Peak flu season coincides with the busiest weeks of the winter travel season. This year, with both the seasonal flu and H1N1 in full swing, CDC is especially worried about how easy it is for illnesses to spread when people are in close contact at work and family get-togethers, on trains, ships and especially on planes.
The danger is real. Each year the seasonal flu sends thousands of people to the hospital and kills nearly 36,000. Since April, H1N1 alone has killed at least 4,000 people and sickened about 22 million others.
Although CDC reported this week that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are on the drop, an agency spokesperson notes that flu cases “are still very high nation-wide compared to what is expected for this time of year.”
So, well-mannered travelers, as we all gear up for the next big wave of holiday travel, here are some tips for germ-free air travel and an update from airlines about change fees should illness strike.
Travel well
Ideally, you’ll travel when healthy, and you’ll stay that way on the road.
To do that, begin your trip well-rested and head for the airport early. You won’t be pressed for time, and the stress of traffic and long security lines will roll off your back.
To help ward off illness, experts suggest boosting immunity with exercise, healthy foods and vitamins. Dr. Margaret Lewin, Medical Director at Cinergy Health, suggests taking a daily dose of Vitamin D. “If you are sitting next to a passenger who is obviously ill, try to change your seat,” Lewin said. If that’s not possible, she suggests you to give the ill passenger beside you a packet of tissues and then turn your air duct toward the person. Read more…
