Stay healthy and safe when traveling this holiday season

Ever since the pandemic confined us to our home communities, holiday travel has continued to surge year after year. Airports get busier, highways get fuller and accommodations get increasingly difficult to find.

Beyond the busyness, there's another surge that happens over the holiday season, one that's less welcome than the inconvenience of a full flight: illness.

“We know that travel increases your chance of getting and spreading the flu and other contagious illnesses,” says Dr. Stephen Munday, a board-certified public health and occupational medicine doctor with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group. “If you are going to travel, vaccination is your best defense.”

While no longer at pandemic proportions, COVID-19 is still spreading, and flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are anticipated to surge this winter.

While the three illnesses are caused by different viruses, they share common symptoms, affect the respiratory system, are contagious, and can cause mild to severe illness. RSV is more likely to cause severe illness in young children, and pediatric hospitals across the country are reporting an unexpected early wave of cases.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and older. In the state of California, the COVID-19 vaccine is available for young children, children up to 18 years old with risk factors, adults age 65 or older and adults up to 65 with risk factors.

RSV vaccines are recommended for adults age 75 or older who are at increased risk for severe RSV, and certain infants and young children. In the meantime, preventive practices, such as staying home when sick, wearing a face mask and washing your hands often, can help prevent its spread.

Additional tips to stay safe while traveling include:

• If you must fly, try to take flights with the fewest stops or layovers.

• Frequently clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• When possible, try to maintain distance from anyone who is not traveling with you.

• Consider a face mask, for people age 2 and older, for indoor public transportation settings.

• Avoid people who are sick.

• Sanitize frequently touched surfaces.

Seek care if sick
You should also stay home and postpone travel or social plans if you feel sick. Home tests are now available for both flu and COVID-19. Effective treatments are available for both illnesses and over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may help to reduce fever, headaches and body aches.

If your child is showing signs of RSV, talk with their doctor. Symptoms of RSV include:

• Runny nose

• Decrease in appetite

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Fever

• Wheezing

It is important to keep children with RSV well-hydrated and manage their fever and discomfort. While most children will recover on their own in a week or two, infants younger than 6 months old might require hospitalization if they are having difficulty breathing or are dehydrated.

“You may get exposed to illness on your travels,” Dr. Munday says. “Plan accordingly for potential illness before, during or after travel and take care to avoid spreading your illness to others.”

Learn more about how to get flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines in San Diego.