So here’s the situation…
1) My mother is likely passing within the next 24 hours. I’m from the US. I’ve been home twice in the last two months during her sickness (stage 4 lung cancer) so I know the general procedure on flying and everything was smooth before. I have been vaccinated including my 3rd about 2 weeks ago, got my negative covid tests coming back, etc.
2) Things took a rapid turn for the worse yesterday, then I got the news about 3 hours ago that hospice has said death is imminent. No matter what, I won’t be in time for that – but the funeral is to be held shortly after. It’s all basically been arranged. The soonest flight I can get on would be leaving tomorrow (Dec 13) at 4pm. If I’m on this flight, I’ll be in time for things.
3) Since yesterday, I have had cold symptoms. It seemed like a normal cold, but as I began getting ready to buy a ticket back for tomorrow, I took my temperature – 37.8. I usually run around 36.8 and had no temperature yesterday, but I definitely feel worse than I did yesterday, though with less outward symptoms. I thought it might be worry and stress, but my temperature is rising. Whether it’s going to plateau here or not, I don’t know.
So I’m in a pretty crappy situation here. My symptoms are mostly light, but if my fever continues rising I am wondering the upper bounds at which they would allow me on the flight. At what point would the airline stop me from boarding? I actually can’t remember if there’s a specific temperature check, but I imagine there is – I feel like it was one of those scanning camera checks. I’d be flying out of Nagoya (Centrair – NGO) if it matters. Obviously, it’s a moral quandary as well and a fairly selfish decision to make, travelling sick and in a confined space.
According to various websites, the clearest I could find was that anything over 37.5 and they might ask you to not board. It’s all very vaguely written – no strict rule, it seems, but I might have just missed it. Anyone have any idea?
I could also get a rapid covid/flu test tomorrow morning to help make the decision, but I have to buy the tickets tonight. They tend to become unavailable for same day travel (I’ve had this experience now twice before). Either way, the ticket (about ï¿¥300,000) is non-refundable and I need to make the decision to buy it quite soon.
Any advice? I’m really at a loss as to what to do.
20 comments
Just get dosed on Tylenol or similar fever-reducing medicine. Family come first.
You could always take some otc fever reducing medicine like tylenol.
This is a horrible situation and I’m sorry for the loss of a loved one. If there is no way you will make it to say goodbye anyways, don’t get on the flight while ill. As awful as you’re feeling right now, you could cause another family to go through the same thing whether it be COVID or Flu. Especially if there will be elderly at the funeral, it’s best to not risk the health and well-being of others. I’m sure your mother knew you loved her. That’s most important.
It’s well known in Asia that taking Paracetamol a few hours before flights will allow you to bypass the temperature checks in some airports.
You can check at home to see how long/much it works before doing it.
I’m sorry for you and I will do this if I was under the same circonstances.
Take paracetamol and ibuprofen before the flight to reduce your fever. People do it in Asia all the time
God awful situation all around but think of it. What if you have corona and because you get on the flight two other mothers die?
In my very unfortunate experience a funeral does not need to be held immediately after a death. I’ve waited a few days to fly out, just because sudden travel is a problem, even without Covid. Of course there are religious exceptions.
It sounds like you were able to spend some quality time with your mom before she passed. That’s so precious, and I’m so glad for you. I hope you can resolve this situation in a way that is healing for you. ♡
Sorry about your situation.
Since Japan made it easier to travel, I’ve taken 5 international trips so far this year.
Each time I believe there was no temperature check or anything like that when I departed from Haneda/Narita. The IR camera temperature checks were only in the countries upon arrival. I’m not sure about the US though.
The thermal imaging cameras for body temperature are fairly useless. Just make sure the air escaping your mask goes down or to the side so it doesn’t increase the reading. A damp towel can instantly cool your face several degrees.
Slap one of those cold packs on your forehead, take it off just before the camera check
As others have said:
I went to Australia for work last week. Took JAL on the way and ANA on the way back. No temperature check whatsoever on both legs of the trip. I flew to California for thanksgiving, no temp checks at the San Francisco airport either. I would say it’s really unlikely your going to be denied boarding with a slight fever.
If your paranoid, the most powerful fever reducer is Loxinonin sold in most drug stores in JP. It’s not prescription but I think you have to get it from the pharmacist who keeps it behind the counter. When my friend had a 39 degree fever, one dose of that brought him back down to 37. Apparently its good stuff.
Sorry for your situation, but I think it’s pretty safe for you to fly. Maybe get a fancy NIOSH N95 mask for the trip. If you had the flu or Covid you would be protecting your family and people on the plane a lot more than a 10 cent mask from the drug store.
I would just go. This is important enough for you. I’d be less worried about being denied boarding and more worried about making it through a 13 hour flight with a worsening fever.
That’s a terrible situation, sorry to hear that. All the best for you!
As for your question, on top of what has already been said: if you fly with symptoms, make sure you are constantly wearing an FFP2 / N95 face mask all the time. Not only during the flight but afterwards. It might be uncomfortable, but will protect the others around you. In the plane it also has the benefit of keeping the air you breath humid.
Traveling sick is always risky, buy should you get any symptions (even light ones) related to your nose that goes beyond being a little bit stuff (i.e. any indication of sinusitis) or your ears then you should not fly. This can actually lead to severe and irreperable damage if you are a bit unlucky. Not worth it to take a big risk on your health, even for something as important as this furneral imho.
Make sure it’s not COVID with a test. And then you get yourself some Tylenol from the pharmacy (if you’re not allergic) and start taking 3 of the Japanese tablets every 6 hours before you get on the flight. Drink lots of liquids. If your fever stays under 37.5C and you’re COVID-free, take the flight. If you end up with a higher fever or the bug I would urge you not to. Don’t take risks for others. Mask is a given in any case. Best of luck in this shitty time ahead.
>it’s a moral quandary as well and a fairly selfish decision to make, travelling sick and in a confined space
At the end you get to decide.
I’m going to get heavily downvoted, but if you fever symptoms, please don’t fly. COVID is not the only bad thing that’s out there.
I’ve lived “abroad” basically all my life; I missed my dad’s funeral and will probably miss my mom’s funeral when the time comes. To me it doesn’t make sense to rush back home, as they’ll no longer be there in any case.
ps. the tickets might not be refundable but you should still be able to fly at a later time if you end up getting sick. (Check the terms & conditions). E.g., fly a week later, when you’re better, to be there with your family.
First off, I’m so sorry for your situation. Losing a mom is an unimaginable pain like none other (lost mine in the USA very suddenly three years ago while I was living here)
If you can afford to risk spending 300,000 yen on a non-refundable ticket, go ahead and take the chance, but keep in mind that even if you feel okay at this moment, all it takes is one night for your condition to suddenly worsen when you wake up. 37.5 does sound like stress, but everyone’s body is different.
I’m not sure why your mom’s funeral was arranged so soon without anyone giving you enough time to book a flight, but perhaps if an online stream is possible you could take that route instead? That way you wouldn’t miss it completely and you can take care of yourself in case you’re still not feeling well.
I wish I could be of more help and I’m very sorry, but I hope you’ll find peace no matter what happens. And just remember that even if you do miss her funeral for whatever reason, it’s absolutely not your fault.
I just flew to Florida and there were no temperature checks.
And I would go if I were you.
You have a light fever, you’re okay. I am shocked at people telling you not to go because you might get someone sick. On my flight, there were Japanese people coughing and hacking away all flight. And on delta, once we’re up high enough they allow you to take off masks, and many many people did.
Imo you can’t live your life fearing that you’re going to make someone else sick forever, like…you’re going to miss out on core experiences, and important things like your own mother’s funeral? That’s just ridiculous. Do your best to mitigate symptoms, keep distance, wear a mask, sanitize and wash and go. I would absolutely regret it if I didn’t in your position.
just go, you won’t be stopped most likely. but please for the love of god, get a n95 mask at the very least and be mindful of all the people’s lives you will be putting at risk
Just arrived recently from the US. THere was a temperature check on the way to Japan but not the other way around.
FWIW the plane was probably like less than 30% full. multiple people were like obviously ill (coughing), I ended up getting a nasty cold or the flu after I came back.
Honestly this is an emergency so who cares, just go for it.
Sorry for your loss. I can’t comment on whether you should go or not (although tbh if I were you I prolly would get on the plane). Anw there was no temp check at least when I flew to the states 2 months ago from Narita. Can’t give any info on Chubu tho.
Take a rapid and if you’re COVID free, hop on the plane with some Tylenol. I’ve been traveling a lot this year for work and haven’t a single temperature check to Korea, the states and Taiwan.