The holidays are filled with travel. Whether you’re driving, flying or boarding a bus or train, cold and flu germs will likely be companions to at least one of your transportation’s passengers. Learning how to safeguard your ear, nose and throat (ENT) health during travel is essential in preventing sneezing and coughing from taking part in your holiday cheer.
Let’s look at a couple of tips to help you stay healthy this holiday season.
Tips for Protecting Your ENT Health
Settling into your airplane or train seat only to find your neighbor has brought a travel-sized pack of tissues and cough drops can be alarming. Luckily, there are a few ways you can help safeguard your ENT health, including:
- Wear a face mask. Packing a face mask before boarding your flight is a great preparedness step to prevent germs. You can choose to wear the mask either throughout your flight or only when you are seated next to people who may be sick.
- Get vaccinated. Getting the flu vaccine is a great way to keep the flu from putting a damper on your holiday plans.
- Wash your hands. Our hands are teeming with bacteria. The CDC estimates that handwashing education in the community reduces respiratory illnesses, such as colds, in the general population by 16% to 21%. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs.
- Avoid touching your face. Even with frequent hand washing, it is wise to avoid touching your face as it can increase the likelihood of germs entering the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
What To Do if You Get Sick?
Getting sick during the holidays is no fun at all, but with proper care and symptom management, you can limit the impact of ENT illnesses like sinusitis and severe congestion on your time with your family. A few ways to help your body fight off illness include:
- Hydrate. Hydration is key to promoting a healthy body. The dry air and insufficient hydration that often accompanies travel can leave you feeling dehydrated. To help you stay hydrated, consider picking up a healthy juice from Inta Juice of Arvada before you head out on your journey.
- Sleep. When you sleep, your immune system releases small proteins called cytokines that control the growth and activity of other immune system cells. When you are sleep-deprived, your body does not produce enough cytokines, thereby lowering your defense against germs. With all their noises and bumps, sleeping on a plane or train isn’t always the easiest feat. Do your best to grab a few minutes of shut-eye whenever possible to prevent exhaustion from making you more susceptible to illness.
To learn more about protecting your ENT health, contact Advantage ENT & Audiology today to make an appointment with one of our trusted specialists.