San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comMinimizing your risk of catching H1N1 when you catch your flight

Minimizing your risk of catching H1N1 when you catch your flight

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - This year, health experts are hoping the H1N1 virus doesn't catch a flight with you as you travel for Thanksgiving.

As millions of Americans take to the skies this Thanksgiving week, travelers like Jenil Swann realize flu germs travel as well, and can easily spread among passengers packed together on long flights.

"That's why I have to take precautions to protect myself - especially when others are not being as sanitary as they can be," Swann said.

In fact, a recent poll finds more than half of American would rather fly sick with the flu than have to pay a flight re-booking fee, which can easily top $150, depending on the airline.

"To be honest, they way flight prices are now, I think I'd more likely take precautionary measures if I was feeling under the weather than to cancel my travel plans," Swann said.

"If I needed to get home, I probably would, absolutely take a flight rather than drive," another traveler said.

But public health officials urge anyone who is sick - especially with flu-like symptoms that could be H1N1 - to stay home, and for others to take precautions like frequent hand-washing and covering their cough.

"We don't want sick people traveling and especially traveling on airplanes, sharing their infections with passengers and ultimately with their families when they arrive at their destination," County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten said.

For parents like Cyndee Crook, who is flying with small kids, holiday travel is hectic enough without worrying about falling ill.

"They have had their flu shots and their H1N1 shots, so I think we're alright," Crook said.

According to airline industry insiders, more passengers are now using face masks and hand sanitizers on flights, but some travelers say common sense precautions should not give way to unnecessary panic.

"You can't be too paranoid about these things, because otherwise you'd never go out," Crook said.

Whether you can avoid paying a penalty if you have to cancel or re-book your flight because of the swine flu depends on your airline.

Delta says it works with passengers on a case-by-case basis and will reschedule your flight without fees if you provide a doctor's note. Air Tran Airways and United also have similar policies.