Any tips on flying while sick?

[scrappinmom_2000]

We live quite a ways from the airport, so we spend the night at a hotel near the airport prior to an a.m. flight. When the family member (say teen or adult) wakes up with a mild sniffle that escalates into a sore throat & general misery during flight...what's your best tip for comfort, especially meds?

Thank you for the advice.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I always pack some Dimetapp and Benydral in my carry-on bag, along with tylenol (adult and children's), bandaids and tissues. As a former fight attendant I can attest to flying with a cold--------OUCH!!!! I give me DD's some Dimetapp about 1/2 hour before we take-off. It helps to clear the nasal passages and also lets them take a little nap on the plane. Usually they are so excited the night before that they hardly sleep. This way they nap on the plane and refreshed when we land in MCO!!

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

 

[Dr. Happy]

Hi There,
You really should treat the symptoms before flight because, as you have learned, they become worse. I like the Benadryl and the Dimetapp suggestions, but my choice is Sudafed. Especially if you get the extended release Sudafed (if you can't find it - ask your pharmacist). Sudafed works very quickly and is very mild without sedation. Benadryl will sedate, but some people want there children to sleep during long flights (particularly if they have head and sinus congestion when flying). So you should consider what you want the medication to do.

But, I always would fly with Sudafed, even if I wasn't congested, just to prevent any problems...