Immune suppressed and air travel...

[Mehita]

As many of you know, we're taking a little trip next week which includes a two hour flight. We haven't traveled with DS since being on immune suppressing medications and I'm starting to get a little nervous.

Anyone have tips or suggestions on how to avoid airplane germs? The last thing we need is for him to catch something just four days before his next Remicade infusion. :eek2:

Thoughts? Or other travel tips?

 

[Tesscorm]

Other than normal hygiene (okay, a bit more washing of the hands, antibacterial hand gel, etc.), you probably won't need to do much more?? Stephen went on his grad trip to Dominican in June and had no problems.

If the four of you are NOT sitting together, I wouldn't ask to switch seats to sit all together... this way, just in case there's someone coughing/sneezing near your son, he move away by switching seats with someone else in your family.

ENJOY!!! You guys deserve it!

 

[fishylove]

Mehita, this is the exact thread I needed 2 weeks ago. I am on remicade and 6mp currently, but I didn't think about getting sick when I got on a 5 hour plane ride a little over a week ago. I had some hand sanitizer and I washed my hands before I ate or after the bathroom, but I didn't change anything to try and protect myself against germs. So now, 10 days later, I am still coughing constantly it seems. I had a horrible cough and sore throat, some light headedness, constipation, and no appetite. I don't know what of that came from the plane, but I know I didn't have any of that before.
That being said, I agree with tesscorm. Wash your hands often and don't touch things or eat thing you know you might get sick from. One thing you could try is a mask although I can see how that would be embarrasing and attract some stares. You could just wear it after take off and hide your face in a jacket as you sleep(or pretend to).
I guess I don't have any real suggestions otherwise, but definetly practice very god hygene. I would stay away from things other people used, like the magazines in the seat.
Sorry I couldn't be much help,
But I wish you good luck

 

[Sudsy]

My immunosuppressed kids: we don't do much different aside from attention to hand-washing. My mother (immunosuppressed for 16 years post kidney transplant) will travel with a face mask on.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

I'm a bit germ-paranoid, but I always take antibacterial wipes on the plane and wipe down the traytable, armrests, seatbelt buckle, and screen on the seat back. I also get my kids to use some moisturizing nasal spray (and do this myself. Hubby thinks I'm nuts!). Airplane air is dry and the extra moisture helps stave off germs entering the nasal passages. Oh, and avoid the airline's pillows and blankets. Happy travels!