Flying

[Guest guest]

Does anyone remember this, by H.:

*********

From:

Date: Sat Jul 8, 2000 4:26pm

Subject: FLYING

The way my doc explained it is that when you are taking an

immuno-suppressant

you are more prone to infection. Aircraft ventilation

systems are known to

spread germs carried by passengers. The bigger the

aircraft the greater the

exposure and the longer you have been taking the drug to

greater the risk of

infection from closed spaces.

My doc said that flights of two hours are OK because the

ventilation system

is generally safe for that period of time. After that it

begins to

recirculate whatever anyone is exhaling. The longer the

flight the greater

the risk.

Doc let me take a flight of about 2 hours. When that had

no ill effects and

my health seemed otherwise OK she said I could take a

longer flight -- 3.5

hours one way. But she would not approve a seven hour

flight as yet. She

thinks that is too risky.

She said that if I were not doing as well she would insist

that I wear a

surgical mask on any flight over 2 hours.

You can get surgical masks from any medical supply store.

If you are not

taking immuno-suppressants you may not need one. If you

have been on

immuno-suppressants for a year or longer you should

discuss the length of any

flight and if you need a m.

***************

I refered this asked how to avoid getting infections when flying,

especially when having a trach tube, from the head/chief ? doctor of

Finnair and he told IT IS NOT SO.

Modern airplanes are equipped with so called HEPA-filters, which filter

99.97% of all particles, including bacteria and viruses. It´s better

than in ERs.

It´s been evaluated that people with flue may spread " bugs " only 1-2

rows to both directions, because the channels for incoming and outgoing

airflows are in the same area.

The air is very dry, which may affect to getting a " flue " , besides the

long fligth with its " side effects " and specially the different

bacteria flora

So flying overseas itself is not so harmful as expected, but the

bacteria flora.

How does it look like e.g. in Tulsa?

HEIDI, sind sie gefaerliche da? :-)

Terveisin,

Arto