Getting onto a plane with a bad cold is a fairly terrible idea, as the flight can sometimes make your health much worse.
In the worst-case scenario, the changes in pressure while flying can lead to ear infections, as fluid builds up behind the eardrum and swells. The pressure and blockage can become unbearably painful.
If you have a severe cold and are still planning on flying, it’s best to first consult with an ear, nose and throat physician.
If you do fly with the cold, doctors recommend you have something to chew, or yawn or swallow a lot during take-off and landing, to avoid problems during pressure equalisation. These actions allow the tubes between your ears, mouth and nose to stay open, avoiding blockages.
If that doesn’t help, try a method used by divers: Close your mouth and nose, and try to push air out of your ears. – dpa
