I’m sick and tired… actually, I am mainly tired. Too bad I can’t blame that on dirty airplanes. However, if I come down with pneumonia soon, I know where to point my finger. Forget about blaming filthy bathrooms on commercial aircrafts for illnesses, according to The Wall Street Journal, germs like Aspergillus niger, which cause pneumonia and a host of other infections, can be found just as easily on the pillow and blanket you use to catch some shut-eye on the red-eye. The paper’s investigation found that unless a pillow or blanket is visibly soiled it often gets reissued. The … Continue reading →

Traveling’s tough for germaphobes. In addition to protecting themselves from bacteria found in airport bathrooms, the airplane’s tray tables and seat pockets, they have to contend with dirty luggage. Fortunately, studies show that checked bags that are exposed to grease, mud, and a host of other foreign slime won’t likely make you sick. Of course, there is always the possibility that E.coli might take up residence on the bottom of your bag, so it’s always a good idea to formulate a post-trip cleaning plan sooner rather than later, especially if you are a germaphobe. Health experts suggest that upon landing … Continue reading →

The title of this blog probably seems redundant if you’ve read my previous posts about the health of commercial aircrafts. For all intents and purposes airplanes are pretty much flying petri dishes and if you complete a flight without catching a single bug, then consider yourself blessed. At least that’s what researchers and investigators would have us think. Their years-long findings regarding dangerous germs found on major airliners is enough to make anyone re-consider jetting off on a romantic rendezvous in Paris or even a short flight to meet up with Mickey and Minnie. In my previous post I mentioned … Continue reading →

So far so good. I didn’t lose my lunch… or my dinner, or my breakfast. Maybe the airplane water wasn’t tainted with bacteria after all. This time. Still, if you don’t hurl from the water or the food, then there are plenty of other ways you can fall ill from flying the friendly skies. In fact, bacteria is as close as the seat pocket in front of you. At least that’s what a new report claims. Health experts say that you are basically fishing around for cold and flu germs each time you stick your hand in an airplane’s seat … Continue reading →

I just got off of a 12-hour flight from Hawaii and I am just waiting for my temperature to spike and my lunch to make a return appearance in the toilet bowl. According to a news report, I am a prime target for contracting a travel-related illness thanks in large part to the amount of time I spent at 35,000 feet. For starters, I should have brought my own water on board the flight to avoid having to drink the airline’s version. Bad, bad move. Health experts maintain that airplane water is laced with E. coli. Okay, maybe “laced” is … Continue reading →