5 Valuable Air Medical Travelling Tips During Flu Season
Posted on January 01, 2018
Air medical travel, whether long haul or short haul should be smooth and trouble free. To make your journey comfortable, it is essential to do a bit planning ahead of your departure, keeping your special needs in consideration and to understand the air medical services being provided. If you are unsure about something, check with your physician or the air medical transport service provider. Especially if you travel during the flu season, you ought to be more cautious and take some necessary precautions.
Keeping that in mind, below are five most valuable air medical transport tips that will secure you a flu-free journey:
Take flu seriously
Not many people are aware of this but Flu is actually a deadly disease. On average, each year an estimated 23000 people in the United States die as a result. These figures outside of the United States are equally alarming. You are more at risk of developing serious flu complications if you are pregnant, aged 65 or above and if you are suffering from a serious medical condition or are taking any immunosuppressive.
Do your research
Regardless of where you are traveling for pleasure, business or availing air medical transport services, travelers should always take out time to do research. For starters, check the flu charts at your destination. You can find weekly updated FluView report on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website that allows you to view the flu statistics and flu activity map for the United States. If you are traveling outside of the U.S then the World Health Organization (WHO) is a good source you should consider visiting.
Get vaccinated
Two weeks before you make your departure, get a flu shot. According to the U.S CDC, it takes about that much time for vaccine immunity to develop after vaccination. Also, it is important that you always carry medication that has been prescribed to you in your carry-on bag, especially if it is for any heart disease, diabetes and seizures. Anti-allergies are also essential if you are prone to developing any.
Disinfect your transport
Viruses and bacteria that can cause illnesses live on surfaces for weeks. According to CDC, flu virus can survive for up to eight hours. Travelers should therefore avoid touching doorknobs, railings and other such surfaces that are likely to be touched by many people each day. If contact is not avoidable then wash hands with soap or using a sanitizer with at least 50% alcohol. Also, if you notice someone sneezing, coughing or generally ill, stay at least 6 feet away from them. WHO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) require air carriers to carry out disinsection in order to prevent the importation of insects and diseases. Air medical transport, along with the air medical agencies and the entire medical community play a vital role in promoting and supporting this. AirMed ensures compliance and takes further steps to make air medical transport safe for not just its staff members but also the public that entrusts them with their health and safety.
Stay fit & healthy
Before getting on to anything else, firstly you need to ensure that you are covered at your end. From vital vitamins intake, avoiding stress to exercising: each one of these activities collectively contribute to a healthy mind in a healthy body. Also, extended lack of sleep too increases the risk of illness. So start preparing today!
And case you develop any symptoms before your departure, contact your air medical service provider. At AirMed our primary goal is to accommodate your needs, please Contact Us when you feel the need to.