I’m sure we’ve all seen that viral video of supermodel Naomi Campbell going in aboard a flight with disinfectant wipes just before she sat down for take-off. Most found it hilarious while others found Campbell’s actions necessary.
Traveling sick? You may need to take a page out of Naomi’s travel book and take some of these precautions:
1. Think Twice Before You Touch
According to Forbes, a 2015 study revealed that there are a few places on planes that are actually dirtier than the bathroom. A microbiologist collected samples from four flights to calculate the total number of bacteria per square inch.
Though the airplane bathroom flush button had only 265 bacteria colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch, overheadair vents had a 285 CFU per square inch, and seatback trays took the win as the dirtiest place on the airplane as they have 2,155 CFU per square inch of bacteria.
Be sure to disinfect the area and wipe down the air vents, armrests, and tray table with sanitary wipes. Bring tissues to open the bathroom door too, to avoid touching those common areas.
2. Invest in These Accessories
Being ill can be extremely uncomfortable so it’s important to do all you can to increase comfort in such a tight space like the seat of an airplane. Bring along the following items to ensure maximum comfort throughout your travel.
-Compression Socks
-Sleep Mask
-Headphones
-Pillow and Blanket
3. Come Equipped
If you’re feeling under the weather, there’s nothing worse than trying to locate the nearest supplies, especially whiletraveling. Be prepared and pack the following items so you’re able to tend to yourself or even your travel buddy when necessary.
-Tissue
-Medicine
-Pain Reliever
-ChapStick
-Cold Sore Ointment
-Hand sanitizer
4. Wear A Mouth Mask
Lastly, we’ve all seen the influx of Asians with white surgical face masks traveling about. But do you know why that is?
They actually wear masks when they’re sick or to prevent allergies due to airborne particles. According to experts, these masks prevent large droplets of bodily fluids that may contain viruses from escaping via the nose and mouth. They also protect against splashes and sprays from others, such as those from sneezes and coughs. The downside is that these masks don’t prevent the inhalation of small, airborne contaminants, but they sure are still handy to bring along just in case.
