Is it safe to fly by plane after COVID-19?- a week after a mild illness? Is there an increased risk of blood clots? Is it worth doing a d-dimer test before the flight?
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Olga Sierpniowska Pharmacist, Editor
2 years ago
The mere fact of becoming ill with COVID-19 is not an absolute contraindication to travel if you have traveled through the designated isolation time and feel well. As for the risk of blood clots, thrombotic complications in the course of COVID-19 may also occur during and after a clinically mild infection, although they are much more common in patients who are seriously ill and require a hospital stay. Risk factors for thrombosis include obesity, age, chronic diseases. Coagulopathy in the course of COVID-19 is indicated by abnormal results of fibrinogen, D-dimer concentration or prothrombin time. A factor that favors deep vein thrombosis during travel (not only by plane) is long-term immobilization. The risk depends on the length of stay in one position and the predisposition of the passenger. More on this topic: https://www.gdziepolek.pl/opinie-i-pytania/61107/vibin-czy-powinnam-podjac-jakies-srodki-ostroznosci-przed-lub-w-trakcie-lotu If you are concerned, I suggest contacting your family doctor, who will order and interpret tests if necessary. You can find more about preparing for a flight in our study: https://www.gdziepolek.pl/artykuly/jak-przygotowac-sie-do-lotu-samolotem