Companies and Their Employees Must Protect Against the H1n1 Virus When Traveling

Most experts say businesses and their workers must take care against the seasonal influenza and the H1N1 virus when on the road.

With the flu season just round the corner, employees and companies need to make lots of preparations to stay safe on planes, trains, and buses. Fears a second wave of the H1N1 virus, or swine influenza, will hit in the approaching influenza season are prompting airlines to watch out. Some airlines including Southwest are asserting they’ll keep passengers from flying if they seem to be terribly sick with a communicable illness, but it can be difficult even for medical experts to attribute a single sneeze to influenza, vs another condition. Other airlines , for example Virgin America, are preparing for the outbreak by keeping sanitizing wipes and gels, and surgical masks on board.

Lisa Koonin of the CDC states that, “sick people truly do not have to travel.” as well as skipping your flight if you are under the weather, Koonin asserts business travelers can strengthen their immune defenses by eating, drinking, and sleeping well before a flight. “The fitter they’re going into it, the more adaptable they’ll be,” she is saying.

Business travelers can bolster their immunological systems by eating, drinking, and sleeping well before a flight. The more fit they’re going into it, the more tough they will be. Also, in highly-trafficked public places, commuters and fliers must avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if they can’t access soap and running water.

What about wearing a mask? The surgical masks that you see some people wear were created to stop drops of liquid running into the nose and mouth during surgery. They’re not going to prevent virus particles from penetrating the body’s defenses, though they may be helpful in blocking the sneezes of a person who is sick but has to leave the house.

“So you wish to make it conducive to them to remain home if they’re unwell. I am not sure the staff policies of plenty of associations have done that.” According to CDC officials, there is a list of things that business owners should share with workers – for example if your plane seat incorporates a pillow or blanket, ask an affiliate of the crew if they could remove it.

Eat well, drink a lot of water, and get a good night’s rest before flying. If you will not have access to water and soap, carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.