Why Do People Get Sick on Airplanes?

Airplanes are like tiny sealed rooms where everyone is sitting close together. When someone coughs or sneezes, the germs go flying through the air and land on other people, just like when you're in a crowded bus or classroom.

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Examples

You're on a flight next to someone who has a cold, and after an hour you start feeling sneezes coming on.
Your neighbor coughs in your direction during the takeoff, and suddenly you're fighting off a sore throat.
After being in a packed airplane for several hours, you come out with a full-blown case of the flu.

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Categories: Health · air travel,infections,cabin pressure,health on airplanes