Other passengers, not stale air, are biggest flight risk
2 August 2002
The sneezing passenger sitting behind you on the plane is more likely to be the source of your cold than the recirculated air in the cabin, US researchers say.
The researchers studied 1100 aircraft passengers travelling between San Francisco and Denver, and found no evidence to suggest that air recirculation increased the risk of catching an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
No difference [was shown] in the likelihood of self-reported cold symptoms . . . when comparing passengers travelling aboard aircraft using 100 per cent fresh air with those travelling aboard aircraft that recirculate up to 50 per cent of cabin air,' the researchers said (Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 288: 483-86).
The participants filled in questionnaires before and after flying, and the data were analysed for possible URTI symptoms.
The rates of self-reported colds (21 per cent of passengers on 'fresh air' flights compared with 19 per cent on 'recirculated air' planes) and runny noses with colds (10 per cent compared with 11 per cent) were similar, but the researchers admitted they did not culture viruses to prove who actually had viral infections.
'It may be that just being on a plane packed with a lot of people is the primary factor in transmission of colds, or maybe travelling is the issue: changing time zones and losing sleep have been documented to increase rates of viral infections,' said Professor John Balmes, one of the the study's authors.
'My best advice is to wash up after shaking hands, and avoid touching your nose.'
Last Reviewed: 01 August 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 2/8/02
