WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Travelers concerned about H1N1

Travelers concerned about H1N1

By Jonathan Walsh - bio | email

Posted by Dave Dykema - email

DETROIT, Mich. (WTOL) - The day before Thanksgiving is widely considered one of the busiest travel days of the season. With all the crowds, air travelers, and even those on the road, people are very much aware of H1N1.

At Detroit Metro Airport the Swine Flu has been a concern. The confined area inside planes has placed H1N1 on the minds of some passengers and they say they are going to be prepared.

Jennifer Mann packed protection, just in case. "My biggest thing is to sanitize as best as I can and keep covered."

Those at the airport say once you're in that plane you never know who's going to sit down beside you.

"If somebody's sick and they have a ticket they're probably going to get on the airplane anyways cuz it's a lot of money to throw away," said Mark Hamilton, a traveler from Oregon.

Dr. Aaron Orqvist from St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center says if you're near someone coughing don't be afraid to wear a mask or ask if they can put on one. Plus, prepare ahead of your travel.

"Anything that's shed through sneezing or coughing can transmit it," said Dr. Orqvist. "You can try and heighten your immune system as much as you can with zinc or vitamin C and always take a lot of fluids to keep yourself hydrated."

Those hitting the road and stopping at rest stops also know there will be plenty of people around with more chances to get infected.

"We're vaccinated but we still have a risk," said one woman. "We could wash our hands and that's what we do."

Dr. Orqvist says the most important thing you can do is wash your hands.

You can also take advantage of sanitize stations similar to these that some rest stops and airports have put up because of swine flu.

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