Airline travel can make you sick, says doctor. 'Seats, tray tables harbour all sorts of bacteria, viruses'

Doctor Sudipto also advised against ordering food on flights. (Image credit: @SudiptoDoc/X)

A Jaipur-based doctor has recently highlighted how airline travel can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting with a bad stomach ache. Dr Sudipta, who goes by @SudiptoDoc on X, listed the reasons behind it and pointers to prevent getting infected by the viruses and bacteria even if you avoid eating the food provided by the airlines.

"In the course of my practice, I often get to hear this common complaint - Doc, I travelled by flight yesterday, and today I have diarrhoea, vomiting and a bad stomach ache," the doctor wrote. "I ask them - did you have any food in the flight? The answer is often ‘no’. So, is there any other reason? And can air travel make you sick? Yes. Airline travel can make you sick. And why just air travel? Any travel in public transport can make you sick if you fail to observe common hygienic practices."

Dr Sudipto said that studies have repeatedly shown that airline seats, tray tables, seatbelts, armrests, and other commonly touched surfaces, harbour all sorts of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens which may be potential causes of sickness.

"The water in paper cups that the stewardesses and stewards so graciously offer you with a smile, too is not above suspicion," he wrote. "The reasons are quite simple. Quick turnaround between flights often means that deep cleaning is not possible, and seats may only receive a cursory cleaning. Fabric seats, in particular, can trap and retain moisture, making them more prone to harboring bacteria and viruses. Back and headrests can be exposed to a person’s sweat, particularly after boarding in hot climates. Also, with passengers sitting close by, germs can be easily transferred from one person to another."

Quoting other studies, Dr Sudipto said that in 2015, researchers at Auburn University found that staphylococcus aureus -- a bacteria that can cause a host of diseases such as septic arthritis, prosthetic device infections, pulmonary infections (e.g., pneumonia and empyema), gastroenteritis, meningitis, toxic shock syndrome, and urinary tract infections -- can survive for up to seven days on airplane seats and E. coli -- another bacteria that causes watery diarrhea or a UTI -- can survive for up to four days on armrests.

In a 2018 Study by Hunter College, researchers swabbed 26 flights and the findings were startling: 79% of tray table surfaces, 64% of seat belts and 59% of lavatory handles had E. coli.

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A 2019 Study by Charles River Associates and a 2020 Study by LSU's Environmental Health…

— Sudipto (@SudiptoDoc) August 19, 2024

Offering pointers for preventive measures, Dr Sudipto suggested, "Always carry a hand sanitiser with you. Use upon boarding, once during the flight, and always afterwards, once you’ve deplaned. Similar advice for bus or train travel. If you have to use the lavatory, washing your hands is not enough. Always use hand sanitiser afterwards, once you return to your seat."

He also advised against ordering food on flights. "Avoid airline food and airline water or juice dispensed in paper cups, particularly if it’s a short domestic flight. Buy a bottle of water if you are really thirsty. If it’s a long haul flight, use disinfectant wipes to wipe your seat, hand rests, buckles and the tray table surface. And use your discretion for food and beverages," the doctor added.