Germs at 30,000 Feet

As the holidays roll around, millions of people take to the skies to get where they're going. Unfortunately, along with their carry-on luggage they're also bringing millions of infectious germs with them. A study from the University of California at San Francisco found that one in five people will get a cold one week after their flight-- four times the risk if they had stayed home. So what do you do if you want to arrive at Grandma's without the flu? Follow these tips:

• Stock your carry-on bag with plenty of instant hand sanitizer. If you're unable to get to a restroom to wash your hands, clean them with instant hand sanitizer in the airport after you touch high-traffic spots like the ATM machine, ticketing kiosk, elevator buttons and handrails, etc.

• Pick morning flights because they are less likely to be delayed. Since 1995, ground delays have jumped 130 percent. Your chances of getting sick increase dramatically if you're trapped on the tarmac for an hour because of air traffic, and most delays happen in the afternoon and evening.

• Pick a seat up front. Studies show there's ten times more fresh air in the front; more importantly, though, you don't want to sit near the bathroom because you'll have a parade of people walking by you, using you as an armrest and breathing in your personal space.

• Use instant hand sanitizer after you use the bathroom on the plane, and definitely before you eat. Dr. Gerba's studies reveal that airplane bathrooms are loaded with e. coli on every surface including the faucets, the door and the sink. Plus, there's no way the dribble of water that comes out of an airplane faucet can adequately clean your hands. (If you're traveling with small children, bring along a toilet seat cover like the Potty Topper or the CleanSleeve.

• If the flight attendant offers you a pillow, decline. Due to rapid "cleanings" between flights, you could very likely be using a pillow that someone else drooled or sneezed on within the hour.

• Before you fly, purchase a portable air filter that you can snap on to the overhead air vent.

• Talk to your doctor about taking the supplement Airborne before you fly which may help build up your immunity.

• If you are seated next to someone who is visibly sick, request a seat change. If you cannot change seats, turn off the overhead air vent or aim the vent in the sick person's direction.

And lastly, relax. Studies show that happy people get sick less often, so sit back, ignore the coughing, and enjoy your flight.

Allison Janse and Charles Gerba, Ph.D., are the coauthors of The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu.