How to Avoid the Flu when Traveling.

By Murray Grossan, M.D. Cedars-Sinai, Author of "The Sinus Cure"

The thought of getting sick when traveling with a new type of virus on

the loose is quite scary. A measure of good news is that by taking

some common sense steps you can dramatically increase your chances of

staying healthy.

My patient, EJ, hadnt flown in 5 years because she would be sick for

a week after every flight. As though fate was against her, she always

managed to sit next to the person on the flight who was coughing and

had never heard of Kleenex.

Most airplanes today recirculate the air. There was a comparison of

flights with filtered and unfiltered fresh air, which actually showed

that there was little observable difference both found about a 20%

incidence of common cold and flu among passengers who fly. This 20% is

much too high to be an acceptable number. In fact, many of these cold

and flu cases are preventable.

The primary reason that you catch a cold or flu is failure of the

natural defense of the body Mucociliary Clearance system. This is the

protective system that grabs the virus and bacteria, and moves it by

nasal cilia action to the stomach where the acids kill the bacteria or

virus. Normally these cilia move at 15 pulses per second. They act as

oars to move a blanket of thin mucus inside the nose, where the virus

is trapped, out of the nose to the stomach. This prevents the virus

from infecting the body through the nose. But the key here is thin

mucus.

On commercial flights the air is quite dry. This dries the nose. So,

even if the cilia do their best, the mucus is still too thick to move.

Because it is stagnant, bacteria and viruses can multiply and enter

the body. Therefore it is vital to intake adequate fluids during

flight. These fluids do not include alcohol and coffee. What is needed

is warm water, preferably a green tea with mint and lots of it!

Lemon and honey are also good. Warm tea with or without caffeine helps

move the cilia. Ice drinks slow the cilia. Since the key here is

moisturizing the nose, a nasal moisturizing gel is beneficial.

Many ordinary medications may dry the nose. For my patients I find

that certain types of nasal moisturizing gels are best. The reason the

gels are best is that in order for the virus to enter the body it must

attach to a nasal protein called ICAM-1. A gel with the appropriate

formulation can help to prevent this attachment. The best gels have

ingredients which allow the body's natural defense elements

lysozyme, good white blood cells, etc., to be able to travel to where

they are needed to fight invading organisms in this way. Read the

ingredients to see if your gel aids lysozyme action. For example,

Breathe-ease XL Nasal Moisturizing Gel is a water soluble gel that can

cover the nasal membranes and provide moisture to the area.

Avoid getting chilled as that will lower your resistance. Avoid undue

fatigue. For saline type sprays, use before boarding, and about every

two hours during the flight. With gels, use before boarding and about

every 3-4 hours during flight. In particular, use twice a day after

arrival as this will help fight any infection trying to get a

foothold. Don't forget the liquid intake!

Some doctors may prescribe an antibiotic ointment that similarly

covers the nasal membranes, and as an antibiotic kills certain

bacteria. The problem here is that they are expensive, and most

require the use of fingers or a Q tip to get it positioned, and there

is the risk of developing a sensitivity or resistance to the

antibiotic. For example Breathe-ease XL nasal gel has an in the nose

applicator and only contains natural ingredients. Whatever gel or

ointment is used it MUST be water soluble, only water soluble products

should be used in the nose. Petroleum-based or other non-water soluble

materials could end up in the lungs, where they could remain

permanently.

Good hand washing is also crucial, and simply using soap and water is

best. Wash often to remove flu virus before you put your hands near

your eyes, mouth or nose.

One reason we typically get flu in winter is the depression that comes

with the dark days and cold. In fact, bright lights can actually lift

your mood and help the immune system. So staying up beat and getting

light is key!

Final tips. Avoid a meal three hours before sleep. Sleep is paramount

to keeping the immune system up. Try to keep an exact sleep schedule.

To set your sleep clock, go to sleep at the same hour and practice the

same habits every night wash face, brush hair, brush teeth, etc.

Safe travels and hopefully it is off to someplace sunny and warm..

Source: Aircraft Cabin Air Recirculation and Symptoms of the Common

Cold Jessica Nutik Zitter; Peter D. Mazonson; Dave P. Miller; Stephen

B. Hulley; John R. Balmes - Journal of the American Medical Association.