How to Travel Safely While You Have Mono

How to Travel Safely While You Have Mono

Getting diagnosed with mono (aka mononucleosis or glandular fever) doesn't necessarily mean your travel plans are completely dashed. With some smart precautions and planning, you may still be able to take a trip without putting your health at further risk.

Mono, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), often causes fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and muscle aches. The virus spreads through bodily fluids, especially saliva. It can take 2-6 weeks after exposure for symptoms to develop.

While mono is highly contagious, a sick person is most contagious in the first month of illness. After that, the risk of passing it to others decreases significantly. Here's what you need to know about traveling safely with mono.

Assess Your Symptoms

Before finalizing travel plans, take stock of your current mono symptoms. Are you still running a fever and battling extreme fatigue? Or has the worst passed and symptoms are now improving? Where you're at in the illness will help determine if a trip is doable.

In the first weeks when mono is most contagious, traveling long distances will be difficult. Fevers, body aches, swollen glands, and crippling fatigue make even everyday activities tough, let alone international flights or long road trips. Rest and recovery should take priority.

As symptoms start to wane over the next few weeks, shorter trips closer to home may be possible. Listen to your body and don't push yourself too hard while still recovering. Build in plenty of downtime. Also consider whether your planned activities and destination will allow you to continue getting the rest you need.

Get Your Doctor's Opinion

Check with your doctor before traveling with mono. Let them know when your symptoms started, how you currently feel, and the details of your upcoming trip. They can best advise if your plans align with where you're at in the mono recovery process.

Be sure to ask about any travel restrictions or precautions related to your mono diagnosis. Your doctor may recommend delaying trips until you’re further along in recovery. Or they may be able to offer tips to travel more safely if the timing works out.

Arrange for Extra Rest

It's hard to predict exactly how you'll feel days or weeks into the future when you have mono. Even if you're past the most contagious stage, fatigue can last 6-12 weeks. When booking flights, tours, lodging, and activities, build in wiggle room for extra rest.

Choose hotels where you can nap and go to bed early if needed. Opt for excursions that allow flexibility over jam-packed, rigid itineraries. Don't overschedule yourself or commit to obligations you won't have energy for. Save exploring new places for when your stamina returns.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration easily occurs with mono, worsening fatigue and other symptoms. Be vigilant about getting enough fluids when traveling. Bring a water bottle for frequent sipping. Choose hotels with fridges or microwaves to have electrolyte drinks handy. Room service can also help ensure you get enough hydration if even short trips outside your room are tiring.

Rest Your Throat

Mono often causes severe sore throat that can linger for weeks. Traveling can irritate your throat further, especially airplane cabin air. Use a humidifier in your room and avoid dry air environments. Suck on lozenges, drink warm tea with honey, and limit alcohol to ease throat discomfort.

Pack Carefully

Load your carry-on and checked bags smartly to make travel with mono easier. Pack throat lozenges, pain relievers, dehydration salts, electrolyte drinks, and any supplements or medications you take. Bring earplugs and sleep masks for quality rest.

Pack soft, loose, and layered clothing that won't irritate your sore throat or swollen glands. Have healthy snacks on hand in case appetites fluctuate. Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and extra masks can help limit germ exposure too.

Precautions for Air Travel with Mono

Air travel poses some unique risks when you have mono, but a few key precautions can help you fly safely:

Wear a High-Quality Mask

An N95, KN95, or KF94 mask offers the best protection on planes. It blocks respiratory droplets that could contain EBV and other germs that can worsen mono symptoms. Avoid cloth masks for better filtration. Change your mask every 4-6 hours during long flights.

Stay Hydrated

Bring an empty water bottle to refill once through security. Dry airplane cabin air dehydrates easily, so drink 8+ ounces each hour in flight. Avoid alcohol and caffeine which have diuretic effects.

Use Hand Sanitizer

Washing hands regularly prevents viral and bacterial spread. Use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol before eating, after restrooms, and when touching high-touch surfaces like seat trays and armrests.

Disinfect Your Space

Airplane seats are filled with previous passengers’ germs. Wipe down surfaces near your seat with disinfecting wipes and minimize contact with the back of seats during flights.

Pick Your Seat Strategically

Choosing a window seat prevents close contact with others passing in aisles. Front cabin seats also limit exposure to potentially sick passengers. Avoid middle seats for some distancing between you and others.

Sanitize Luggage

Portable UV-C light sanitizers quickly kill viral and bacterial pathogens on phones, water bottles, headphones, and other frequently handled items you use when traveling.

Precautions for Car Travel

Road trips involve their own risks and considerations if you have mono, including:

Limit Stops

Frequent stops at crowded gas stations and restaurants raise exposure to other ill people. Pack food and drinks and limit stops to reduce infection risks and conserve energy.

Open Windows

Rolling down windows improves ventilation and airflow. Avoid recirculated air to limit breathing in other passengers’ germs.

Wear a Mask

Continue masking near others during road trips. An N95, KN95 or KF94 respirator offers optimal protection for you and them.

Space Out

Riding with family or close friends in a private car is safest. If carpooling or using shared rides, sit in back and distance from other passengers.

Sanitize the Car

Disinfect high touch vehicle surfaces like door handles, controls and seat belts regularly. Let fresh air circulate too.

Plan for Extra Travel Time

Build in plenty of wiggle room in your driving schedule. Frequent stops to rest reduce chances of an energy crash making driving dangerous.

Lodging Precautions

Hotels and other lodging options also warrant some special measures when traveling with mono:

Opt for a Suite/Separate Bedroom

Having a distinct bedroom allows sick travelers to isolate more easily if sharing accommodations with others.

Request Daily Room Cleaning

Changing sheets, towels, glasses, and dishes on a daily basis lowers viral and bacterial spread.

Disinfect High Touch Surfaces

Wipe down doorknobs, light switches, remotes, counters, and other items other guests have touched frequently in your room.

Wash Hands Frequently

Practice good hand hygiene after touching surfaces in shared lodging spaces to avoid germ transmission risks.

Ask for a Quiet Room

Noise can disrupt the extra sleep mono recovery requires. Request a quiet part of the hotel away from common areas, elevators, and ice machines.

Eating Out with Mono

Eating at restaurants while traveling with mono requires added care too:

Research Restaurant Safety

Outdoor dining and takeout reduce exposure risks. Check safety practices like contactless payment options, masked staff, and sanitization protocols.

Avoid Buffets and Salad Bars

Shared serving utensils and uncontrolled exposures make these formats risky. Opt for single-serve and low contact options.

Order Easy-to-Swallow Foods

Severe sore throat from mono makes swallowing painful. Choose smooth soups, broths, yogurt, ice cream, milkshakes, and other soft foods.

Bring Your Own Utensils/Straw

Carry your own silverware and drinking straw to further limit contacts with possibly contaminated restaurant items.

Wash Hands Before and After

Practice hand hygiene before touching shared surfaces like menus and after eating to reduce viral spread risks.

Activities to Avoid with Mono

Some travel activities pose especially high risks when you’re recovering from mono and should be avoided, including:

Contact Sports

High exertion sports like wrestling, rugby, football, and basketball can enlarge an infected spleen. That can lead to a life-threatening spleen rupture.

Water Sports

Scuba diving, water skiing, and other intensive water activities also strain the spleen. Wait until cleared by a doctor before resuming.

Amusement Parks

Rides, crowds, lines, and excitement overwhelm limited energy reserves. Hold off until your stamina returns.

Group Tours

Guided bus tours and other group activities mean prolonged close contacts with potentially contagious people.

Nightlife

Clubs, concerts, live events, and late nights out disrupt restorative sleep mono recovery demands.

When to Delay Travel with Mono

Postponing trips is wise in certain situations when you have mono, like if you:

Have a Severe Case

Travel will be extremely difficult if you develop complications like severe dehydration, liver inflammation, or a ruptured spleen.

Have Lingering Fever

Fevers above 101 F indicate your body is still actively fighting infection and not ready for added stresses.

Need Frequent Medical Care

If your mono requires IV fluids, urgent visits, lots of tests, or other intense care, staying close to your medical team is safest.

Have No Appetite

Inability to consume enough calories and nutrients due to extreme fatigue or throat pain can quickly become dangerous when traveling.

Feel Confused/Disoriented

Cognition changes that disrupt your ability to follow safety protocols warrant postponing travel.

Travel Insurance for Mono

Given mono's unpredictability, travel insurance is highly recommended if not already included with tickets. It helps recoup costs if illness forces you to:

Cancel Pre-Paid Plans

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses non-refundable expenses like flights and hotel if mono prevents traveling.

Cut a Trip Short

Trip interruption policies help cover the cost of changing flights and unused portions of trips cut short by mono.

Change Travel Dates

Trip delay coverage can help reimburse rebooking fees and added costs if mono forces postponing travel dates.

Get Medical Care Away from Home

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage is crucial for accessing care internationally or far from home if mono symptoms spike.

Relaxing at Your Destination with Mono

Making the most of your getaway without overexerting yourself takes some creativity when recovering from mono. Try:

Reading on the Beach

Soaking up sea breezes and ocean sounds or resting lakeside with a good book refreshes without draining energy.

Taking a Taxi Tour

Seeing the sights by taxi allows you to sightsee laying down in the backseat while resting.

Swimming

Gentle swimming and floating give weary muscles and joints a break.

Napping

Embrace necessary mid-day snoozes. Listen to your body's need for rest.

Getting a Massage

Therapeutic bodywork boosts circulation and helps ease achy swollen lymph nodes and muscles.

Enjoying Room Service

In-room dining lets you relax completely while still enjoying destination foods and beverages.

Bottom Line

Traveling with mono requires carefully weighing risks versus rewards. While challenging, certain trips can align with mono recovery as long as you take precautions. Talk to your doctor, pack smartly, limit exposures, schedule in lots of rest, and don’t overexert yourself.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.