Airborne germs: how to protect yourself

It can make sense to protect yourself against germs, especially on planes. This is because there are a lot of people in a relatively small space.

Protection against germs on the plane - you have these options

Protecting yourself from the germs on the plane is not that easy. However, with these precautions you reduce the risk.

• According to scientists, the places in the corridor are most likely to be populated by germs. One measure is therefore to book a window seat whenever possible.
• Since it is not so easy to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly on board, it makes sense to take a packet of disinfectant wipes with you. Use it to wipe all plastic elements, such as seat backrests and folding table, immediately after you sit down. This will remove at least some of the germs.
• In addition to the disinfectant wipes, you should also pack some disposable gloves. It may look a little strange, but putting on your gloves as soon as you go to the toilet will also reduce the risk of infection. Remember that the door handle and the flush button in particular are usually very contaminated with germs.
• Otherwise: Regularly wipe your hands with the disinfectant wipes and do not touch them in the face.
• Do not put food directly on the folding table. It is best to clean your hands again before you eat.
• The blankets and pillows are a little more difficult. These are often only exchanged once a day. If possible, you should therefore avoid the utensils.

Airplane - germs lurk particularly often in these places

No one is really surprised that there are a relatively large number of, sometimes even dangerous, germs in airplanes - airplanes fly all over the world. But when we fly on vacation and take a seat on the blue airplane seats, we are usually in a good mood and full of anticipation. We are happy to suppress unpleasant things like diseases or germs.

• Recently, research teams from the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and the University of Arizona have dealt with pathogens in aircraft. The scientists examined where, how many and which bacteria and germs are in the machines. The results of the different studies are similar.
• Germs of different types were found in the investigations, of which quite a few are pathogenic. In addition to flu viruses, the researchers also found E-Coli bacteria and antibiotic-resistant germs. Some even survived on the plane for several days.
• The germs were by no means only in places such as the toilet where they are expected. In fact, the researchers found that the corridors and porous surfaces were the most polluted. Passengers walking down the aisle often cling to the backrests, leaving behind a colorful variety of different germs.
• Porous surfaces are always breeding grounds for bacteria and germs, this also applies to airplanes. A study by the University of Arizona found that over 50 percent of the folding tables examined were contaminated with germs. Some of these were dangerous germs, such as MRSA or noroviruses.
• Furthermore, approximately the same amount of seat bags was contaminated. Flu viruses were often present here, which makes sense, since many flight passengers stow their used handkerchiefs in their pockets.

If your flight is overbooked, you may not board the plane at all. This is annoying, but it significantly reduces the risk of infection and falling for you.