Mapping the germs on airplanes, and how to avoid them
WSJ: How air travelers can stay healthy this holiday season
December 21, 2011
Certain airplane conditions and surfaces make ideal breeding grounds for infectious bacteria, causing passengers to have up to a 20% higher chance of catching a cold or the flu en route, the Wall Street Journal reports.
How colds spread on planes
Although re-circulated air is most often blamed, studies have shown that high-efficiency particulate air filters—which are on most jets—capture 99.97% of infection-inducing particles. However, when air is not circulating—like when passengers are boarding or exiting, or waiting for an extended time on the ground—"infections can spread like wildfire," the Journal reports.
For example, a study conducted in 1979 found that 72% of individuals on an airplane that sat on the tarmac for three hours with no circulating air contracted the flu from one infected passenger. Diseases like H1N1 and SARS also have been shown to spread quickly through airplanes.
According to the Journal, several factors increase risk of infection; for example, viruses tend to thrive in low-humidity environments, where mucous membranes dry out and are less able to block infection. Fatigue caused by high altitudes may make people more susceptible to contracting illnesses, too.
There is also a "hot zone" of illness that extends around sick passengers. A CDC study in July found that you are most at risk if an ill person is within two seats behind, in front of, or beside your seat.
Eight tips to stay healthy
The Journal notes that bacteria can live for hours on some airplane surfaces, including tray tables and seat-back pockets, and possibly pillows and blankets.
To avoid falling ill while traveling this holiday season, the Journal suggests that airline passengers take the following basic precautions:
- Hydrate;
- Regularly wash hands;
- Disinfect tray tables with wipes;
- Avoid using seat-back pockets;
- Open personal air vents and aim them at the face;
- Try changing seats if seated near a visibly ill passenger;
- Raise concerns about air circulation if the plane is kept on the tarmac for a prolonged period; and
- Avoid airline blankets and pillows (McCartney, Journal, 12/20).
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