Have You Ever Gotten Sick on a Plane?

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "It's not revolutionary, but a small Moleskine notebook is my one travel must-have. It's great for noting things you want to remember and it takes up hardly any space in your bag."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Japan. I'd love to take a month off and visit the cities, temples, and countryside. I'm fascinated by the country's juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern ambitions."

Travel Motto: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window."

See recent posts by Carl Unger

Ever boarded a plane in perfect health, only to arrive at your destination with a sniffle, cough, or even an infection?

That’s exactly what happened to Pamela Fuentes, who shaved her legs just before flying and then developed an infection while in the air. Doctors told her airlines are rife with bacteria, and her shaved legs were an easy target.

Kind of icky, huh?

Between the recirculated air, heavily used bathrooms, and generally crowded environment, it’s no secret that airplanes are a breeding ground for all kinds of germs and bacteria. But Ms. Fuentes got us thinking: How many other people develop some sort of ailment while flying?

And so we turn to you, our readers. If you’ve ever gotten sick on a plane, we want to hear about it. Send us an email with your story, and spare us no detail (well, maybe some detail). Thanks!

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.