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Original poster

If you know you have flu and get a flight

29 replies

Lyra25 · 25/09/2025 16:13

You should wear a mask?
I am definitely going to take a mask for myself in future because I can’t take sitting next to people with a hacking cough, running nose and looking really unwell. I’ve just got off a flight like this and it was absolutely torturous for me.
but aibu to think if you know you’re unwell (not just sniffles or cold but flu) you should wear a mask on a flight

OP posts:
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Maddy70 · 25/09/2025 20:13

I agree. The japenese have always done this they are very considerate of others

CrocodileJen · 25/09/2025 20:11

You’re never going to get people to agree on this, rather than wishing people would wear masks in planes, trains etc then just wear one yourself if you are concerned. FWIW I wouldn’t wear a mask if I had a cold on a plane regardless of whether you think I should.

slightlyoverbaked · 25/09/2025 19:51

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 25/09/2025 19:02

Stop trying to make masks happen.

FFS.

just waiting for the classic “you’re all sheeple” quip that makes people with this mindset feel all so superior and clever (even though they lack any critical thinking or wider care of other).

Zanatdy · 25/09/2025 19:48

I’d personally wear a mask if I was unwell and had to take a flight.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 25/09/2025 19:45

I did take a flight with a severely runny nose a few years ago. I wasn’t ill or contagious at all, I’d just got really irritated sinuses after having had a cold a few weeks previously, which got set off by some allergens on the way.

The person next to me must have been panicking like anything but they wouldn’t have caught anything.

MySweetGeorgina · 25/09/2025 19:37

I agree but also I think you mean things like colds, right? The person you describe sounds more like a cold than flu

both suck tbf

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 25/09/2025 19:31

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 25/09/2025 19:02

Stop trying to make masks happen.

I’ve had severe long covid for 2 1/2 years

I sure you don’t believe in that either.

And don’t tell me to ‘stop’ anything. MYOB

Serencwtch · 25/09/2025 19:25

Health47 · 25/09/2025 17:59

Are you sure it was flu?

Show quote history

Yes tested positive

Serencwtch · 25/09/2025 19:24

Shr3dding · 25/09/2025 18:28

How do you know when you have flu? I wouldn't have a clue, do you get tested for some reason

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I've always suspected it as whenever DH has had it I seemed to get away with it or have very mild symptoms.
Last time I did a COVID - type lateral flow test from boots to check & sure enough tested positive but no more symptoms than a mild headache & tiredness

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 25/09/2025 19:02

Stop trying to make masks happen.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 25/09/2025 19:01

InMyHealthyEra · 25/09/2025 16:46

I personally wouldn’t bother, in such an enclosed space, a mask will do absolutely nothing.

This isn’t true. An N95 will protect you.

Shr3dding · 25/09/2025 18:28

Serencwtch · 25/09/2025 17:52

Flu doesn't affect me badly at all. Mild headache & slight tiredness were the only symptoms.

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How do you know when you have flu? I wouldn't have a clue, do you get tested for some reason

Radiatorbings · 25/09/2025 18:25

So if flu is asymptomatic then presumably we all have it a lot of the time anyway? So what's the point of asking someone who can't breathe well to wear a mask?

Health47 · 25/09/2025 17:59

Serencwtch · 25/09/2025 17:52

Flu doesn't affect me badly at all. Mild headache & slight tiredness were the only symptoms.

Show quote history

Are you sure it was flu?

Serencwtch · 25/09/2025 17:52

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:09

I'd be very surprised if anyone genuinely affected by flu even made it to the airport.

Flu doesn't affect me badly at all. Mild headache & slight tiredness were the only symptoms.

plusfive · 25/09/2025 17:35

Not the same illness but I recently came back from holiday and my child announced on the way to the airport they felt ill. They were then violently sick as we waited to board. What was I meant to do? I can’t be stranded abroad when I have work to get back to. We boarded and came home as it was the least worst option. Not everyone wants to delay travel, especially if they are already overseas.

Original poster
Lyra25 · 25/09/2025 17:20

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:11

I saw it 🤷‍♂️

Does the passenger the OP describes sound asymptomatic to you?

No, me neither.

Show quote history

There were others with light coughs and sniffles, this person had a hacking cough, looked unwell and his wife was feeling cold while everyone else was hot on the plane. He had a flu or virus worse than a cold

OP posts:
HappyFrappy · 25/09/2025 17:19

Surely we all learned during COVID that 2 people can have a virus and experience very different symptoms - of course someone can have flu and catch a flight! Yes, some people with flu are too ill to do that, but some aren't. Just as COVID sent some people to bed, gave some people a bit of a sniffle, and some people were asymptomatic.

verycloakanddaggers · 25/09/2025 17:15

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:09

I'd be very surprised if anyone genuinely affected by flu even made it to the airport.

Ancient myth. Flu affects different people very differently.

verycloakanddaggers · 25/09/2025 17:13

Radiatorbings · 25/09/2025 16:49

If you have the actual flu you wouldn't get on a flight because you wouldn't be able to make it through the airport.

You're describing a cold.

Ancient myth. Flu affects different people very differently.

WelliesandWashing · 25/09/2025 17:13

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:11

I saw it 🤷‍♂️

Does the passenger the OP describes sound asymptomatic to you?

No, me neither.

Show quote history

You said anyone genuinely affected by flu but the symptoms can also be mild or moderate. Not just severe or asymptomatic.

Hinterland101 · 25/09/2025 17:13

People are just totally inconsiderate when it comes to spreading their germs. I was in Tescos today, about to pick up a single roll for my lunch and there was a woman standing in front of the display where the rolls and cakes were kept absolutely coughing her guts up all over them.. Just gross! Needless to say I didn’t get one.

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:11

WelliesandWashing · 25/09/2025 17:09

Please see above.

Show quote history

I saw it 🤷‍♂️

Does the passenger the OP describes sound asymptomatic to you?

No, me neither.

WelliesandWashing · 25/09/2025 17:09

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:09

I'd be very surprised if anyone genuinely affected by flu even made it to the airport.

Please see above.

TinyTempest · 25/09/2025 17:09

I'd be very surprised if anyone genuinely affected by flu even made it to the airport.