AINsight: Could You Be Too Sick to Fly? | Aviation International News

AINsight: Could You Be Too Sick to Fly?

If a pilot has to ask, they probably should stay grounded for now

pilot coughing — © AdobeStock

By Robert Sancetta, M.D. • AIN Contributor

December 20, 2024

While sickness can happen at any time of the year, as we enter the winter cold and flu season, there is typically an uptick in respiratory complaints.

Interactions this time of year often begin in a typical fashion. As an aviation medical examiner, I am frequently asked by pilots if they can fly while taking a certain antibiotic by itself or perhaps with the addition of an oral steroid (prescription anti-inflammatory medication) and/or a pulmonary inhaler (which can be used to dilate bronchial passages, sometimes with the addition of a steroid component).

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Robert Sancetta, M.D.

AIN Contributor

About the author

Dr. Robert Sancetta is a former DC-10 captain with 11,000 flight hours. He has worked as a Senior AME since 1993 and is appointed as AME Consultant to the FAA Federal Air Surgeon.

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