Flight delays, the expense of once-free headphones, and the necessity to obtain power adapters abroad are all common air travel issues. The last thing you want to worry about is airborne illness. Food safety experts and doctors agree that knowing what to do (and avoid) can save you a bellyache.
Gastrointestinal diseases, especially on flights, are infrequent but can be deadly due to the tight atmosphere and limited medical options. Drinking tap water (typically found in the bathroom sink) is the worst airplane mistake. Dr. Tatiana Echeverry, a board-certified internist from Medical Offices of Manhattan, cautions that unclean airline water tanks might foster germ growth and cause gastroenteritis.
A 2019 study examined 11 major and 12 regional airlines’ water quality. Each received a 0–5 score from worst to best. Any score above 3 was “relatively safe.” Seven of the 10 main airlines scored below three. The authors cautioned against drinking water that isn’t sealed in a bottle. That wasn’t the end of it, though. The researchers even suggested using hand sanitizer rather than washing hands with tap water. Read the article.
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