"The Science Of Why You Get Sick During The Holidays" - Whitney Akers
Many people swear they get sick after every winter break. It’s often not clear whether the cause is the close quarters of an airplane, indulging in more celebratory wine than usual, or the stress of fitting in parties, family time, and long-distance flights. It might not be one specific thing, but a perfect storm of holiday demands, according to science. More than 51 million passengers are expected to take flights on U.S. airlines this holiday season. That’s a lot of people sharing spaces and germs. Exposure to more people, bacteria, and viruses in an enclosed environment is a key reason we’re so likely to get sick on a flight. If you’re flying over the holidays, start protecting yourself now with science-backed advice and recommendations from three doctors. Vitamins and supplements, like EmergenC, are probably not helpful. Vitamin C is necessary for the immune system to function properly, but you’re likely getting enough from fruits and vegetables, said Daniel S. Caplivski, MD, associate professor of medicine and infectious diseases, and director of the Travel Medicine Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. If your season diet mainly consists of cocktails and gingerbread cookies, throw in some greens, broccoli, bell peppers, and strawberries. “Consuming only bottled water is a good idea both for airline travel, and in countries in many parts of the world where the water could contain bacteria or viruses that might be likely to transmit illnesses like traveler’s diarrhea,” added Dr. Caplivski.
- Daniel S. Caplivski, MD, Associate Professor, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Director, Travel Medicine Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai