Spoiler alert: Doctor reveals the one simple trick to avoid getting sick while flying

The next time you’re thinking about turning off the overhead vent on an airplane, you might want to think again.

Experts told DailyMail.com that keeping the vents, known as air gaspers, on can help you avoid contact with certain germs and cut your risk of getting sick in half.

Airplanes have some of the most advanced ventilation systems in the world, protecting you from getting sick while flying.

This is especially valuable during cold and flu season, where the cramped conditions on many commercial flights can be a hotbed for infection.

“A lot of people don’t use it, but what makes you get a little more air turbulence in your area where you sit,” Dr. Mark Gendreau, chief medical officer at Beth Israel Lahey Health, Beverly Hospital, told DailyMail.com.

“If there’s a viral particle coming at you, it could theoretically push that and quickly move it out of your space.”

By themselves, aircraft ventilation systems filter the vast majority of airborne particles.

Aircraft use high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filters to remove 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and particulate matter, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPO).

‘Airlines are very motivated to make this function properly. Because when it malfunctions, it actually creates a lot of drag and therefore burns a lot of fuel, said Dr. Gendreau, an expert on infectious diseases related to air travel.

The ventilation system in the aircraft is actually equal to, or slightly better than, most operating rooms and hospitals around the world.’

Dr. Mark Gendreau, chief medical officer of Beverly Hospital in Beverly Massachusetts, and an expert on infectious disease in aircraft, recommended turning on the air gas press above you to avoid getting sick. He also said not to crowd the aisle and to stay hydrated

This is because they get between 15 and 30 air changes per hour, with 50 percent of the air being recirculated and the other half coming from outside the aircraft.

Even if an airline changes its filters less often than recommended, they will still trap most particles, the International Air Carriers Association.

The above ventilation controls several rows in front and behind you from your seat in the aircraft.

However, HEPA filters cannot catch everything.

Airborne viruses, such as Covid, can travel meters and remain suspended in the air.

The EPA estimates that in some cases they can linger for hours, even after someone has already left the room. This makes it much more likely that you will come into contact with them.

Dr. Gendreau said if you’re a few rows away from someone who has Covid, the risk is pretty low.

“If you’re within two seats of a person, there’s a risk, but it’s not as high as you might think,” he said.

Air gas presses can help close some of those gaps.

“With a HEPA filter and all the fresh air, the risk of that viral particle becoming a problem is gone,” Dr Gendreau said.

Turning on your gasper can also be helpful to the person sitting next to you, but he can’t get much further than that. For example, if you’re sitting by the window, someone in the aisle seat has to turn on their own gasper.

You don’t have to turn it on full blast right in your face, though, Dr. Gendreau said. He suggested adjusting the airflow to what feels most comfortable for you.

“It doesn’t have to be directed at you. It just needs to be pointed forward and down a little bit,” said Dr. Gendreau.

Turning on a little extra air isn’t the only thing you can do to reduce your risk, though.

Flooding the aisles after the plane lands can be a major risk.

This is because after landing there is a short period of time during which the pilot turns off the aircraft’s ventilation system before the crew turns on the aircraft’s auxiliary engine.

“When you walk down the aisle and you’re super close to everyone, you just put yourself at significant risk,” Dr. Gendreau said.

In addition, drinking too many caffeinated drinks can dehydrate you. Because immune cells need water to remove toxins and waste, they become vulnerable if they don’t get enough water.

Dr. Gendreau suggested skipping coffee and alcohol and opting for water instead to avoid this.

While air filters and HEPA filters can remove most airborne particles, there is still the risk of picking up germs on surfaces, such as opening overhead luggage compartments or touching the seats.

Dr. Gendreau said 70 to 80 percent of all infections are transmitted through your hands, and most of us make that worse by touching our eyes, nose and mouth up to 20 times an hour.

He recommends bringing hand sanitizer on board and also washing your hands to reduce risk.