Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/P&G.
Hello cold and flu season. We meet again.
Have you ever found yourself with a cough, sneeze, running nose, plugged ears or fever right before a flight? That’s the worst. As a flight attendant, I know all too much about flying sick. I’ve got plenty of experience from passengers, my crew members and of course my personal experiences flying when I had a cold.
FIRST things first. DO NOT. I repeat DO NOT fly sick unless you have to. I have seen too many full grown men in tears, had friends puncture, or worse, burst their eardrums. As far as I’ve experienced, my clogged ear, remained plugged for over two months because of flying with a head cold! Basically, colds and flying don’t go together well.
That being said, in reality sometimes you have to fly sick. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
So if you absolutely have to fly when you are sick, here are my expert tips:
5 Tips To Flying Sick
1. Keep To Yourself
It is unfair to your fellow passengers when you fly sick. So do everyone a few favors if you do. 1) Try to get a seat away from other passengers, or at least an empty seat between you. 2) Wash your hands frequently, including before, during and after your flight. 3) Get rid of your germs by sanitizing your seat, seat belt, armrest and tray before you depart. 4) Wear a face mask.
And remember, flight crews can make the ultimate decision to let you fly or not if they think you appear to be too sick to fly.
Which is another reason to keep to yourself.
2. Take a Decongestant
I cannot emphasize this one enough. Decongestants have saved my ears a number of times! Whether it be a tablet or liquid, the stronger the better. This latest trip when I was sick, I had Vicks Dayquil Severe on hand. Thank goodness!
3. Stay Hydrated
As if airplanes weren’t dry enough. It is really important to keep the liquids flowing when you are sick, especially on an airplane. The more liquids you have the more chances of your sinuses staying lubricated and maybe clearing out.
4. Irrigation
This tip is before you even step on the airplane. When you first start feeling a cold come on, use a sinus irrigator. I bring my sinus irrigation system with me when I travel and highly recommend it! I do it on a regular basis, and it is best to do it at the first signs of catching the flu!
5. Nasal Spray
Lastly, look into a safe nasal spray. Some nasal sprays can be addictive, but there are safe ways of using them for small periods of time. This is another item I do not step on an airplane without.
- Nasal congestion
- Sinus congestion and pressure
- Cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
- Cough to help you sleep
- Minor aches and pains
- Headache
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose and sneezing
- Reduces swelling of nasal passages
- Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose
- Promotes nasal and/or sinus drainage
Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu temporarily relieves symptoms:
You can purchase Vicks NyQuil and DayQuil at Walmart.com or in stores in the medicine aisle. Find out the latest information on the NyQuil and DayQuil Facebook page.