Ask Away: Health tips for travelling

Coughs and sneezes spread diseases to fellow passengers. Photo / Getty Images

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

I've received many great responses from readers to Lois' question last week about preventing illness — particularly the respiratory kind — while travelling [Ask Away, Travel, July 17]. I always appreciate your tricks and tips, so please keep sending them in.

For this week's column, I've put together a selection of your best travel health tips and I hope they will be helpful to Lois and other travellers who find themselves coughing and sniffling after a long flight.

"I always seemed to be seated by an inconsiderate person who took no action to cover up their coughing and sneezing so was not surprised after a 10+ hour flight to get sick. Ruined so many trips and, like Lois, ended up in hospital as the result of one awful flight. My pharmacy however, introduced me to Blis Probiotic Daily Defence Lozenges and I haven't had any trouble since. You take them just before and during the flight; they work to support your natural immunity by inhibiting the bad bugs at the point of entry — mouth and throat. I personally think all coughers/ sneezers should be made to wear a mask — it's not fair on everyone else ."
Carolyn T

"I was told by a friend several years ago about FESS Nasal Spray and now we never fly without using it. It is available over the counter at any pharmacy. We follow the instructions to the letter and since then we have never had a cold or even a sniffle after flying. It is a completely natural product so safe to use if you are on any medications."
Pattie White

"Over the years, the most successful preventive we have used is a saline nasal spray, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. Used frequently during the flight or bus trip, it keeps the nasal passages moist and we have almost never suffered any respiratory infection since, after 10 trips to Europe, Asia and America."
Richard Stevens

"Iodine/ Betadine is anti-viral, anti- bacterial and anti-fungal. Following an article I read years ago, we always take a dose prior to travel (a few ounces of water and 10 drops of Betadine liquid).We are now 76 and 85 and have never had a post-travel infection. It is possible to become allergic and there is a very small risk of thyroid suppression with long-term use."
Ruth Schell

"For years now my wife and I have taken a oral vaccine called Dukoral. It consists of 2 separate drinks taken over a few days and is administered at our doctor's surgery. We have done much flying and cruising of the past years and have never suffered a bout of gastric illness even on ships on which many of the passengers have been ill. We would never travel without it and its benefit lasts for some time."
Cedric Little

Email your questions to askaway@nzherald.co.nz

Eli cannot answer all questions and can't correspond with readers.

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