Why do I get sick every time I fly?

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It is rarely the recirculated air that gets you - it is proximity and hands. A plane seat puts you for hours within the cough-and-sneeze range of strangers, and the NHS explains that cold viruses spread through exactly those droplets and through germs that live on hands and surfaces for up to 24 hours. Tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles, and the bathroom door handle do the rest; touch one, then rub your eye or nose, and the handoff is complete - the NHS specifically advises not touching your eyes or nose for this reason. Two accomplices weaken your side of the bargain. Cabin air is extremely dry, which dries the mucous lining of your nose and throat - your first physical barrier against viruses. And travel days wreck sleep and stack stress, which nicks your immune defenses at the exact moment of exposure. None of this is inevitable. What works is the unglamorous list the NHS gives for avoiding colds: wash your hands often with warm water and soap (or use hand gel when you cannot), keep them away from your face, wipe down the tray table and armrests, and stay genuinely hydrated through the flight rather than relying on coffee and wine. Arriving rested helps more than any supplement. And skip the antibiotics question in advance: colds are viruses, and antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you prep for your next flight.

Why do I get sick every time I fly?

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