Where Germs Lurk on Airplanes — And 10 Ways to Keep From Getting Sick
By Colleen M. Story
In June 2013, American Airlines announced plans to add even more seats to its airplanes, cramming passengers into an even smaller space than they already have.
The airlines stated it needed to make the change to raise revenue after its merger with U.S. Airways. Regardless of the reason, it’s not good news for passengers. Besides making travel even more uncomfortable, it puts us closer together, which increases the risk of contracting germs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is very little risk of any communicable disease being transmitted on board an aircraft. They go on, however, to state that transmission of infection “may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected individual coughing or sneezing or by touch….”
Microbiologist Karen Deiss of Armstrong Forensic Laboratory in Arlington, randomly swabbed 10 surfaces on two planes, and found numerous bacteria lurking pretty much everywhere, including:
- Klebsiella, a stringy, mucus-like bacteria that causes respiratory, urinary, and wound infections, was found on a seat tray table
- Enterobacter asburiae, which can cause an array of diseases including lower respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections and soft tissue infections, was found inside the seat pocket
Dr. Charles Gerba of the University of Arizona has collected more than 100 samples from planes in the last six years, and found viruses like influenza, MRSA, and diarrhea.
In 2007, he found four out of six tray tables tested positive for the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, norovirus, the highly contagious group of viruses that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping, was found on one tray. Most of the bathrooms had E. coli, and thirty percent of sinks, flush handles, and faucet handles had E.coli.
Gerba stated airplanes are not cleaned enough: “There is no policy for cleaning or disinfecting. There are no recommendations by the health department.”
Even the CDC states on its website, “As with other close contact environments, these settings may facilitate the transmission of influenza viruses from person to person or through contact with contaminated environmental surfaces.”
How to Stay Well
Though coming into contact with bacteria and viruses is normal in our world, we’re really in a packed petri dish on airplanes. By the way—it’s not the air that makes us sick most of the time, it’s contact with surfaces. So you don’t need a facemask, unless you want to use it to help remind you not to touch your face. To protect yourself and cut down on your chances of getting sick, try these tips:
.Keep your immune system strong. This is probably the most important thing you can do. Keep up your defenses with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and plenty of sleep. About a week before going on your trip, load up on plant-based antioxidants like green tea, resveratrol, and quercetin, and then add in some vitamin C. Other immune-boosting herbs include Echinacea, ginger, goldenseal, and garlic.
.Go to the bathroom in the airport and wash your hands. If you can avoid using the airplane restroom, which is teeming with germs, you’ll cut back on your exposure. The restrooms are rarely sanitized between flights, so they’re usually host to hundreds of passengers before cleaning. If the flight is short enough, go to the bathroom before you board, then wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water.
.Carry disinfectant wipes. You may get some strange looks from other passengers, but if it keeps you from getting sick, it’s worth it. Especially if you’re planning on eating while flying, wipe down your tray table, cushions, armrests, seatbelt buckles, and windows. If you need to use the restroom, wash your hands thoroughly before returning to your seat. You can also carry a travel-sized hand sanitizer to use on the plane and in the airport, or a small bottle (under the legally allowed 3 ounces) of hydrogen peroxide, which also works great for killing germs.
.Protect your hands. Wear gloves if you like, or use a tissue or handkerchief to protect your hands when opening the overhead compartment, for instance, or when touching other areas you haven’t sanitized.
.Don’t touch your face. Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth transmits germs from your hands inside your body.
.Try to sit near the front. Most commercial aircraft provide better airflow in the front of the plane. In addition, think twice about the aisle seats. People touch them more often to stabilize themselves while walking in the aisles. CDC surveys have discovered that people in the aisle seats were most likely to catch illnesses from other passengers. If you want the aisle, wipe down surfaces and avoid personal contact with passers-by.
.Avoid coffee and tea. EPA monitoring shows that airplane water isn’t always clean—and coffee and tea are made from that water, not from bottled water. Boiling would remove pathogens, but the water used to make coffee and tea on an airplane is generally not heated enough to boil, and may still contain germs.
Take your own pillows & blankets. Avoid using those that are stored on the plane. They’re not always cleaned or replaced between flights.
.Don’t read the magazines. Touched by hundreds of hands, they are a virtual biohazard. Remember others may not have washed their hands after using the restroom, or may have licked their fingers before turning pages. Bring your own reading material.
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How do you stay well while flying? Please share your tips here:
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