Traveling to or from Hawaii This Winter? How to Avoid Getting Sick on the Go

Any time is a great time to travel to Hawaii, but during winter, the promise of warm, sunny days can be especially inviting. Unfortunately, winter is also when the flu virus and other respiratory germs are most active, and spending hours in airports or sitting in close quarters on long flights definitely increases your risk of getting sick. 

If you’re flying to or from Hawaii, the extended travel time can make staying healthy feel even more challenging. Luckily, with just a little preparation, you can significantly reduce your risk of getting sick during your much-awaited Hawaiian vacation. 

In this post, our expert team at Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy offers some simple tips to help you keep cold and flu infections at bay.

Stay hydrated

Air travel can dehydrate you quickly, especially on long flights across the Pacific. Dry cabin air pulls moisture from your skin and nasal passages, making it easier for germs (like the cold or flu virus) to enter your system. 

Drinking water regularly before and during your flight helps keep your immune system functioning well and supports your overall comfort. Staying hydrated also helps reduce headaches, fatigue, and muscle stiffness, too.

Keep your nasal passages moisturized

Dry airplane air can irritate your nose and throat, making it easier for viruses to take hold. Using a saline nasal spray before and during your flight helps maintain moisture and strengthens your body’s natural defenses. This simple step can make you feel more comfortable, too.

Prioritize hand hygiene

When it comes to airplane bathrooms (or any public restroom, for that matter), maintaining hand hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent picking up germs left behind by others, especially during cold and flu season. 

Washing your hands often using soap and warm water gets rid of germs so you can avoid spreading them through contact with your mouth, nose, or eyes. No running water? Hand sanitizer works, too. 

Clean your seat area

Airplanes definitely get cleaned between flights — but how clean they get is another question entirely. To prevent picking up germs at your seat, carry some disinfectant wipes with you and wipe down your armrests, seat buckle, and tray table. 

Keep your air vent on and angled toward you to push germs away. Give the vent a quick swipe with your disinfectant wipe, too. Avoid putting items in the seat pocket; it’s widely used, but hard to clean.

Get plenty of rest

Vacations are exciting — so exciting, it’s tempting to prioritize fun at the cost of your rest. The problem? Fatigue weakens your immune defenses, and when you throw jet lag into the mix, you can set yourself up for colds, flu, and other illnesses. 

Prioritizing rest in the days leading up to your trip helps prepare your body for extended travel and gives your immune system the support it needs. Be sure to work in rest breaks and naps during your trip, too.

Make your health a priority this travel season

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we still manage to get sick. At Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy, we’re ready to help. 

Providing island-wide care from three offices in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, our team offers walk-in visits and telehealth services to help patients from all over the globe get the care they need to feel better and stay healthy. 

If you need top-quality medical care during your stay here in Hawaii — or after returning to Hawaii from your mainland vacation — schedule a visit today, or simply walk in for personalized care you can trust.