LONDON – Dr Richard Dawood, a specialist in travel medicine at the Fleet Street Clinic in London, replies to some frequently asked questions about swine flu and air travel.
Are my chances of contracting swine flu increased by travelling on planes?
All respiratory viruses do pose a risk to anyone travelling in confined spaces. If the air-conditioning system is working normally, you are only at risk in the same way that you would be on a train or a bus – from the people sitting in close proximity to yourself.
It is not risk free, but not high risk unless you are unfortunate enough to be seated next to someone who is unwell and is coughing and spluttering.
Is there anything I can do outside of normal advice to minimise the risk when travelling by air?
Travellers do need to take extra care. Being extra aware of hand hygiene is the single most important thing that you can do.
Hand gels are good. If you are handed anything like a sandwich for example, or you have been pushing a trolley that other people have handled, make sure you use an antibacterial hand gel.
Should I wear a mask?
The problem is that people don’t know how to use them properly. Their outer surfaces will get contaminated, so if you touch the outside, then touch your mouth, you will be undoing the good of wearing one.
It might be a good idea to carry one and hand it to your neighbour if they are coughing and spluttering.
Source: Telegraph Travel
