Health risks rising during flights
US researchers suggest that due to growing numbers in older passengers and ever longer flights mean the likelihood of an increase in health problems.
A recent Lancet review urges travellers and authorities to minimise the risk following studies that blood clots, flu pandemics and venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be caused due to flying with existing health problems and the conditions in which people fly.
Extended flight times could increase the risk to health, they say.
The review found that around 75% of air-travel cases of VTE have been linked to lack of movement while on board. Risk was at it highest in flights of eight hours or more but one study found the risk started to climb at four hours.
A team wrote that the risk of VTE could be reduced by taking in plenty of fluids, walking through the cabin and changing position.
Spending long periods in highly pressurised areas can become problematic to those who have breathing difficulties as result of the reduced oxygen. Also people who have recently had surgery could be at risk, with other reports suggesting that any wounds could burst open.
If you are in close quarters for a lengthy period the risk of spreading disease has also been reported to have increased. Several outbreaks of serious infections such as influenza, measles, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and tuberculosis have been reported on commercial flights.
However, risk of on-board transmission, the researchers noted, is mainly restricted to within two rows of the passenger carrying the infection.
Dr Ray Johnston, head of UK's Civil Aviation Authority's Aviation Health Unit (AHU), said whilst there had been an increase in recent years in the number of on-board medical emergencies "aviation still has an excellent safety record"
Simon Marshall, holiday compensation specialist of Ashton Morton Slack said "It is true to say that flying is the safest way to travel, however even aviation does have its risks. The conditions outlined above are highly unlikely to occur, but obviously there is a (very small) risk. If you do suffer injury whilst on board an aircraft or suffer sickness which you believe is as a consequence of something that happened during the flight it may be possible to make a claim for financial compensation. Give us a call and we will advise you on any potential claim you may be able to make.
