Digital Aviation Co., Ltd.- Have you ever wondered whether flying while sick could pose a risk to your health or even the safety of the flight itself?. Here we try to explain it to you so that you can choose whether or not to fly in the most responsible way..
Flying when sick is a decision that depends on several factors, Include severity of illness, type of illness, and considerations for your own safety and other passengers.
Effect of atmospheric pressure
On an airplane, the air pressure in the cabin is lower than the air pressure on the ground. About, The pressure inside the cabin is equivalent to an altitude of approximately 2,500 meters above sea level., similar to being on a mountain. This means there is less oxygen in the air inside the cabin. A healthy body can usually adapt to this change in atmospheric pressure without serious problems because healthy people can increase their breathing rate slightly to get enough oxygen under these conditions.
However, A decrease in atmospheric pressure may adversely affect people with certain medical conditions.. During a flight, these health conditions can worsen due to reduced oxygen in the blood and changes in atmospheric pressure, which can lead to unpleasant or even dangerous health complications. Therefore, caution is recommended even with seemingly harmless illnesses on the ground, as the effects of flying may be different and more harmful for these illnesses.
The role of pilots and cabin crew in dealing with sick passengers
pilot Crew members are responsible for ensuring the health of passengers throughout the flightnot only related to safety, but also related to the health and well-being of passengers.
If the pilot, crew or even the airline doctor believes that the passenger may pose a risk to themselves or other passengers due to serious illness or injury, They may deny you boarding. This is especially important for infectious diseases, as exposure to confined spaces such as airplanes increases the risk of disease transmission.
Flying with a cold
Generally speaking, a mild cold is not usually a reason to skip a plane trip. Colds are usually harmless and do not pose a serious risk to other passengers. However, for passengers with a cold, it is important to ensure that the pressure compensation in the ears is working properly. This can be done by tapping your ears while swallowing or having a stuffy nose while trying to breathe.
If pressure compensation is not working properly, pMay cause headaches and earaches during flight, symptoms that may persist after landing. In extreme cases, eardrum bleeding or rupture may occur. If you have severe difficulty equalizing pressure in your ears, it is recommended to consider postponing your flight to avoid these health issues.
Fever: Risk to your health and that of your passengers
Flying when you have a fever is a problematic situation and is generally not recommended due to a number of worrisome factors. Fever is a symptom of an underlying illness, many of which are contagious.. When flying with a fever, you risk spreading the disease to other passengers in the enclosed environment of the aircraft, potentially endangering the health of those around you.
In addition to the possibility of infection, Changes in air pressure on airplanes can be dangerous or cause problems for people with fevers. Changes in pressure can be harmful by affecting the body’s ability to adapt to underlying disease and worsening symptoms.
On long-distance flights, especially long-distance routes, Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis due to immobility and pressure on the legs. Fever further increases this risk because it can lead to blood clots.
Additionally, flying can be exhausting due to a lack of space to move around and uncomfortable seats. When you have a fever, rest is essential for recovery. The stress and fatigue of air travel can worsen symptoms and prolong recovery, so flying with a fever is generally not recommended. In most cases, it is safer and more beneficial to postpone travel until you are fully recovered to avoid complications, protect other passengers, and promote your own recovery.
Dealing with otitis media on a flight
Flying with a middle ear infection (otitis) is a delicate condition, Generally not recommended due to risks associated with atmospheric pressure changes In the aircraft cabin.
Middle ear infections, such as otitis media, have caused pain in the pinna. This pain can be significantly exacerbated by changes in atmospheric pressure during flight. The Eustachian tube normally helps balance pressure between the middle ear and the environment, but it can become inflamed due to infection, making it difficult to regulate pressure during a flight. As a result, earache can intensify and cause considerable discomfort.
In extreme cases, uneven pressure in the middle ear due to inflammation of the Eustachian tube and changes in air pressure can put excessive pressure on the eardrum. This can cause injury to the eardrum, causing extreme pain and requiring medical attention..
Children are particularly susceptible to ear infections and flight-related problems. Their Eustachian tubes are narrower than adults and more susceptible to inflammation, which increases the likelihood of developing otitis media problems during flights.
Consider that you may experience complications and additional discomfort from an ear infection during your flight, People with middle ear infections are generally advised to avoid flying until they fully recover.
Avoid flying if you have gastroenteritis
Flying is not recommended for people with gastroenteritis or a gastrointestinal infection for several important reasons. Gastrointestinal infections, such as those caused by stomach viruses, which are highly contagious. On airplanes, passengers share bathrooms and are in confined spaces, which greatly increases the risk of spreading the disease to other travelers.
Apart from, There are a limited number of bathrooms available for passengers on commercial aircraft. If you come down with the stomach flu during a flight, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you need to use the bathroom frequently and all bathrooms are occupied.
Likewise, gastrointestinal infections often cause vomiting and diarrhea, resulting in large fluid and electrolyte losses. The combination of illness and dry cabin air increases the risk of dehydration. In this case, staying hydrated is crucial for recovery, but if you have a weak digestive system, it may be difficult to offset the fluid loss during the flight.
In fact, just a few days ago, a flight from Atlanta to Barcelona had to turn back an hour after takeoff because A passenger encountered “explosive diarrhea” According to the A350-900 crew, “Biological risk” To all passengersexcept the crew.
When you suffer from such a disease, You are advised to recover to avoid complications and protect your health and the health of other passengers..
Fractures while flying and their risks
There are certain restrictions on flying with a cast after a fracture Important factors need to be considered due to the effects of flight on affected tissues and the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
You are generally prohibited from flying within 24 hours after a fracture. This is because the surrounding tissue may be inflamed during this initial stage, and due to the lower air pressure in the cabin, the cast does not allow the tissue to expand as it would normally.
Flying, especially long-distance flights, is discouraged within 48 hours after a fracture. This is because surrounding tissue may still be inflamed and there is a risk of circulatory impairment or tissue damage due to pressure changes during flight.
In many cases, a split cast is prescribed in the early stages of recovery. This model allows for some degree of tissue expansion and reduces the risk of circulatory disorders associated with low pressure Atmosphere during flight.
If you have a cast on your leg or foot, Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis during flight. Moving your legs is important to stimulate blood flow and prevent blood clots from forming. However, with a cast or cast, mobility is reduced, increasing the risk.
Regulations may vary between airlines, soIt’s always important to check your airline’s specific rules before flying with a cast.. Some airlines may have exceptions to the above restrictions or may require a medical certificate to fly.
Effects of toothache while flying
Flying with a toothache can be an uncomfortable and painful experience due to the effects of changes in air pressure within the cabin.. When there are one or more cavities in a tooth, a space is created in which air can become trapped. During flight, a drop in cabin air pressure causes the air in these cavities to expand. The expansion of air can put pressure on the tooth’s nerves, which may already be irritated by decay, which can worsen toothache during the flight.
Changes in atmospheric pressure on an airplane can affect the pressure between your sinuses and teeth, This may cause pain or discomfort to people with dental problemseven if they had no pain on land before.
People with ill-fitting dental fillings or bridges may experience problems during the flight. Air spaces can form around these pads or bridges, and the air pressure in the cabin can put pressure on surrounding nerves or tissue, causing discomfort or pain.