Quote:
Originally Posted by BerryP
Anyone any advice on flying when counts are low. Is there any sort of ban on what altitude it is wise not to go to?
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Berry,
There's no hard-and-fast rule (blood counts vs. altitude) so each patient should ask their doctor. It's an important question so don't feel shy about asking. Ask about the length of the flight too. Going overseas could be riskier than hopping over to the European continent.
Patients with very low platelets are at risk of bleeding at high altitude, and bleeding in the brain is the most worrisome possibility. Patients at high risk of infection (from a low white count or absolute neutrophil count) have to worry about being in a confined place with strangers. Some wear a mask. There's less concern when counts are only moderately low and most patients can fly without problems. So it's a question of how low counts have to be before the doctor considers it too dangerous to take a flight.
Don't forget the practical stuff when traveling: We should all remember to stay hydrated and to move around once in a while during long flights. Patients should keep their medicine with them (not pack it in luggage that could get lost), bring along their prescription list and a description of their disease and current treatment, and know where to seek treatment, if necessary, in cities they will visit.
Rather than letting worries about these things take the fun out of traveling, I suggest that patients do the planning ahead of time so they
don't have to worry about them while on vacation!