Antibiotics before a Long Flight

[piping]

Does anyone know if it is a good idea to start a course of antibiotics/prednisone a few days before you go on a flight? Particularly a long haul flight.

[2greys]

I think the medical profession would say no to both. Concerns developing anti-biotic resistance and the accumulative effects of the steroids.

Then there is another angle, if you take your rescue meds prior to flight, you are going to be without them should you develop an infection whilst at your destination and really need them.

[piping in reply to 2greys]

Well I have quite a supply so there is no question of me running out.

[mrsmummy]

I have taken abs just before taking a flight but this is a question for your doctors really as they know your particular circumstances.

[piping in reply to mrsmummy]

Can I ask why you were recommended to take them before the flight?

[mrsmummy in reply to piping]

They were not recommended as such but were taken as a second week of antibiotics to treat a chest infection, the first not completely clearing it. I flew on the Monday and took the last tablet on the following day.

[piping]

You don't say if your infection was worse or you got a secondary infection?

[mrsmummy in reply to piping]

I had no further problems once the second lot of abs were taken and enjoyed the holiday. But as I said, I don't know your medical history and your doctors do so they are the ones to ask.

[Hidden]

Hi I agree with the others. Ab's are only useful in fighting infections so there doesn't seem any point in taking them before you have one. As with steroids why take them and risk having the lows when you come off them? This will surely interrupt your holiday.

[piping]

Was just wondering if better to prevent a problem from starting than being medi vacced from Jakarta to Singapore or home to AUSTRALIA.

[Bevvy]

Agree with others could be dangerous to take antibiotics when you are not unwell because you could become resistant to antibiotics when you actually need them.

Suggest you use antibacterial cleaner regularly on the flight and especially before you eat or drink anything. It is actually easier to pick up germs from hands then any other way.

Also some people here swear by "first defence" which can be obtained from the chemist. That way at,first sign of a cold you use it and hopefully it should stop it in its tracks. Therefore it won't develop into anything worse like an infection.

Hope your trip goes well.

[Billiejean_2]

Another tip is to run a little Vaseline round the inside of the nostrils ( just at the front). This is thought to create a barrier that will prevent germs being breathed in.

I've flown twice in May, back and forward to Majorca earlier in the month and back and forward to Bavaria last weekend. On both occasions I forgot to take any precautions and thankfully didn't catch anything. At this time of the year there isn't so much sneezing and coughing going on so the risk is probably lower.

[piping]

Thank you all for your insightful responses.

[Hidden]

Hello there, I understand your concerns on flying and especially long haul to protect yourself, I am currently in bed recovering from Pnuemonia and Pluerisy

and have been now for the last 4 weeks since returning from America visiting our Daughter and Grandchildren,

I started with a sore throat then developed into a chest infection I had two lots of Antibiotics nothing was working, after two weeks of bed rest and trying to get well I had really severe chest pain very shallow breathing and confusion never experienced pain like this in my life and I have had 4 children.

So paramedics where called out on Bank Holiday Monday 29th and took me to hospital all the test where done and it was confirmed that I had Pnuemonia and Pluerisy the pain I'm experiencing is the Pluera lining and really bad inflammation, they said I could return home and gave me 2 more lots of AB to take together, so a week later I've just finished all the AB's and still in a lot of pain, my family have been saying I should be back at the hospital but I have been reluctant to go back.

I keep saying to myself if this pain would just go away I will be ok I have never took as many tablets in my life! So today 5th June I'm calling the doctor soon as surgery opens and seeing if I need more AB's thIs has been a nightmare!!! and I never want this to happen to me again, I plan to take more care of my body and protect myself any way I can.

So in answer to your question I agree with all the others keep of the AB's, my daughter introduced me 3 years ago to Doterra Organic Essentiol Oils and I have spent a lot of hours on my I pad doing my own research into the and watching lots of u tube clips on specific ones and there benifits! So if you would like to check them out yourself online just google Doterre, one oil in particular I got first was the On Guard which is an absolute power house of uses both internally and topically also few drops with water in a spray bottle is a very fantastic cleaner kills everything in its path.

So to try and conclude before any flight now in the future for me short or long haul I will be putting a drop of this oil and placing it around my nose, diluted in a small spray for wiping down all the seat and arms and especially using the bathroom, also one drop neat on my hands.

I'm so sorry this is a long reply I just hope it helps you and hope you check out

Doterra.

Hope you have many happy flights and holidays with no germs / infections again.

Take Care

[moodygirl in reply to Hidden]

Anita, I hope you're taking probiotics as all the good bacteria will have been killed off by the antibiotics, therefore leaving your immune system vulnerable to more infections.

😊

[Hidden in reply to moodygirl]

Hi, Yes I'm taking a really good Organic Probiotic 50 Billion CFU I am doing everything I can now to build up my immune system I'm on a mission to pay more attention to my body's health.

Anita

[piping]

Thank you soo much for the reply...really appreciate it.

Peter

[risabel59]

I agreed with everyone else about talking to your doctor. I have been told by the doctor to take Prednisolone for two days over a long haul flight, when my lungs were very twitchy and I thought I might crash. My consultant also revealed that some naughty chest consultants take lowish dose Prednisolone to prevent jet lag, but told me not to pass it on!!! Don't think he looks at this website!!! Anyhow as regards antibiotics, I take a low dose all the time as I have Bronchiectasis as well as asthma. I think Handwashing. Anti bacterial wipes and a face mask if sitting next to a snotty child are your best bet. Use a tissue to touch bathroom doors etc.

good luck, have a brilliant holiday

R

[Hidden]

G'day mate...you need to consult with your Dr about such medical issues...especially regarding travel....If you are going please enjoy the trip.