But wearing one takes guts. You just might freak people out. Don't touch a thing. With hundreds of people cycling on and off planes every few hours, it's inevitable that germs will be everywhere on board. Va. Stay moist.
Low humidity makes it easier for germs to spread.
Use a saline spray to keep nasal membranes moist and to sweep away germs, says Rob Ivkar, author of Sinus Survival . Your proximity to someone spewing germs is the biggest factor in getting sick yourself. Of course, with fuller flights, moving is harder to do. Experts say stress is a huge factor in whether you get sick, so try to make your travel day go smoothly. Pack ahead of time, leave for the airport early and build some slack into your schedule.