Travel WWYD

[boiler717]

This is “I think I know but need someone else to tell me” territory so please forgive me.
I’m sick. Started feeling sick Wednesday. Woke up Thursday with a temp of 101. Peaked at 102 Thursday evening (on meds). Still at 101 today with alternating Tylenol and Advil. I have not had my flu shot but I think it’s not influenza (no headache, I am not sleeping much even though I’m exhausted). I do have sinus congestion, itchy/watery eyes, sore throat from post-nasal drip, minor cough, some chest tightness, a little sneezing — General viral crud.
I have a 6 pm flight tomorrow for a work trip (cross-country, just over 4 hours with a 3 hour time change). Conference begins Sunday evening, I am a featured presenter in the conference (roundtables Monday, podium presentation Tuesday). I called about changing my flight to Sunday, but only option to get me there in time is a 6 am flight with layover — I don’t want to do that because I’d have to go right into the conference with no down time and wake up super early to get there. Also, I can’t use illness as a reason to change so it does cost a ton but can expense.
Obviously if I wake up feeling fine or at least afebrile I will fly and try to manage congestion on the plane with meds and earplanes. But what to do if I still have a fever? I don’t think the Sunday am flight is an option, I could maybe see about doing the 6 pm flight and missing the evening stuff. If it were a normal work trip I’d just cancel, but I feel extra pressure with presentation responsibilities). But the thought of someone with a fever getting on a plane with 4 hours of recycled air seems horribly irresponsible, too.

[dcn]

With a 102 fever nope I wouldn’t go. What awful timing, I’m sorry!

[mbcdefg]

I’m sorry you don’t feel well.

I would call the conference organizers ASAP to cancel, and if at all possible see if you can get a colleague to take your place. Give them as much notice as you can so they can possibly fill the spot.

[ellipses84]

Are you sure it’s just something viral? It might be a sinus infection, especially if your fever is not getting better by Sunday. You may want to go to urgent care before your trip. Trust me that you don’t want to fly with a sinus infection. If you feel fever free and better but still a little congested, Afrin nasal spray is good to do about half hour before you land.

[boiler717]

Oct 19, 2019 2:08:01 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Are you sure it’s just something viral? It might be a sinus infection, especially if your fever is not getting better by Sunday. You may want to go to urgent care before your trip. Trust me that you don’t want to fly with a sinus infection. If you feel fever free and better but still a little congested, Afrin nasal spray is good to do about half hour before you land.

It could turn into one but I haven’t been sick long enough for it to be a bacterial sinus infection.
My temp when I woke up (so no meds) was 100.7, so getting better. But now I have a horrible headache and cough is worse. I’m going to go to urgent care this AM and see what they say.