We are all aware of the swine flu - N1H1 - pandemic that threatens. While this flu is for the
most part relatively benign, similar to the seasonal flu that normally appears in the fall and winter,
it can be very serious. Like other influenzas, it is transmitted by touching and breathing -
coughing and sneezing. And traveling can present an occasion for infection by virtue of the close
contact with others.
The H1N1 flu virus is unique, because it is a combination of pig (swine), bird, and human
flu viruses. People who are infected usually have flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported
diarrhea and vomiting. Even though some severe illnesses and deaths from H1N1 flu have been reported,
most cases have been similar to seasonal flu and have not resulted in severe illness. Most cases have
occurred in children and younger adults.
CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their
travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the H1N1 flu situation in
their destination and the available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their
specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by novel
H1N1 flu.
Travelers at high risk for complications include:
Children less than 5 years of age
Persons aged 65 years or older
Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
Pregnant women
Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions
to protect their health during travel.
Before Your Trip
If you are planning travel to an
area where cases of H1N1 flu are being reported, the following recommendations will help you
reduce your risk of infection and stay healthy.
Stay informed. Check updates from the sources listed in the "Current Situation" section above.
Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccations including seasonal influenza vaccine,
when available.
Find out about the other health risks and travel recommendations for your destination.
Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
Find out if your health insurance plan will cover medical care during your trip; many insurance
companies do NOT cover these costs.
CDC recommends purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international
travel and medical evacuation.
Check Your Own Health
Do not travel if you are sick. If you have flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and avoid
travel for 7 days after you get sick or for at least 24 hours after you stop having symptoms,
whichever is longer. This is to keep others from getting the virus.
During Your Trip
Follow local guidelines. Pay attention to announcements from the local government and monitor
the local health and security situation.
Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
Be aware that some countries are checking the health of arriving and/or exiting passengers
and screening them for illness due to H1N1 flu to prevent others from getting sick.
Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of H1N1 flu.
Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Bring antibacterial wipes, and wipe down the tray table, arm rests and other surfaces
that come in contact with your body. Use alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol)
when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
Check out our
Freshen Up Kit, Travel Wipes,
Toilet Seat Covers and Travel Wipes,
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in
the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Bring your own blanket and pillow when traveling on longer flights.
Airlines don't clean their blankets very often, and it is a good idea to bring a
blanket even after the swine flu threat is a thing of the past.
See Pillows
Use the natural stress relieving, antibacterial and antiviral properties of essential oils to
your advantage. Scent your blanket and pillow with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Dab a few drops of lavender essential oil on your wrist and behind your ears, and keep a cotton
ball doused with essential oils in your purse. Essential oils of lavender, rosemary, cinnamon bark,
lemon, clove, and peppermint are considered to be good for respiratory problems.
See our No Cooties Anti-Bacterial
Spray.
Use a nasal saline mist as needed to hydrate nasal tissues. The low cabin humidity makes the
nasal membranes dry out quickly.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Turn the overhead air vent to low, and position it in front of your face, doing so improves
ventilation in your seat and may prevent viruses from landing on your face.
Suppose you are at the airport waiting for your flight and the gate agent announces that they
oversold the flight and are looking for volunteers to give up their seats. What do you do?
Of course, if you're on a tight schedule, you can't volunteer. But if you are flexible then
there are some important strategies to use to make the most of this opportunity. Remember if you
are involuntarily bumped, the airline must pay you the price of a one-way ticket.
They will pay you up to $400 if they reschedule and you arrive within 2 hours of your
original arrival time. This is in addition to your existing ticket. If there's a longer delay,
they may pay up to $800.
So, if volunteering is a possibility, see if they will upgrade your flight while still paying you
the penalty. If they are offering a travel voucher, be careful. See if there are blackout
dates or other restrictions on redeeming them. And if there is no abundance of passengers willing
to volunteer, see if they will sweeten the offer.
Late afternoon and evening trips give you the best leverage to negotiate a better deal since so
many others are businesspeople trying to get home or to a morning meeting. If you are bumped and
delayed and you are sure to miss an event, ask for a full refund, saying that the event was the only
reason for flying. Although there is no legal requirement to refund your full fare, the airline may
do so to avoid the PR problem.
Sign up on our E-mail list list to be notified of other new
travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences,
likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and
travel tips.
Please let me know how I
can assist you with your travel needs.
Specials!
