With spring in full swing and the Easter bank holiday on the horizon, many Brits will be embarking on getaways. For those planning a hotel stay, BBC Morning Live’s resident doctor, Dr Punam Krisham, has offered advice she urges people to take to minimise the risk of falling ill, as she predicts there will likely be a “spike after the Easter holidays”.

As spring blossoms and the Easter bank holiday approaches, many people across the UK are gearing up for holiday getaways. For those opting for hotel accommodations, Dr. Punam Krishan, a familiar face on BBC Morning Live, has shared crucial health advice. She anticipates a potential increase in illnesses following the Easter break and urges travelers to take precautions.

Dr. Krishan attributes the common rise in infections during seasonal transitions to shifts in temperature and air pressure, which can accelerate the spread of viruses and bacteria. She pointed out that as people engage more socially and travel, especially families with young children, the likelihood of spreading infections increases, as reported by the Mirror.

In her address to viewers, Dr. Krishan stated, “With the Easter holidays upon us, we expect a spike in illnesses post-holidays. This is due to a phenomenon known as the stacking effect.”

She elaborated, “What occurs is that with numerous viruses circulating, individuals recovering from one illness may experience a weakened immune system, making them susceptible to catching another infection during the recovery phase.”

However, she added: “It is important that we mention that if air conditioning systems aren’t well maintained, they can actually end up circulating viruses and bacteria in the room that you’re in, so it is important to make sure that they’re regularly serviced”.

She went on: “The other thing that air conditioning does is it dries out the air. But it doesn’t just dry out the air, it also dries your nose and your throat”. She says this can make your body less able to protect itself against infections.

Signs of excessively dry sinuses can include a dry, scratchy throat, particularly in the morning, and a stuffy or blocked nose. It can also trigger dry, irritated skin and eyes, a persistent cough and headaches or dizziness.

According to Healthline, dry sinuses occur when the mucus membranes lack moisture, often due to dry air or inadequate water intake. When this occurs, it becomes easier for viruses, bacteria, and allergens to penetrate because the dry nasal lining can’t effectively trap or eliminate them, compromising the body’s first line of defence.

Outlining the measures people can take to combat this, Dr Punam said: “Simple things that you can do – because it does dry out everything – is stay hydrated. If you are somewhere where there’s air-con on all the time, like if you’re on a flight, stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.”

She also stated: “Humidifiers are fantastic just to add moisture back into the air. If you don’t have a humidifier, just use bowls of water. A few bowls of water around the room also help to add moisture.

“Humidifiers are helpful and some hotels do have that, but I think just as long as air conditioning is serviced, they are okay, I don’t want everyone thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, and I’m going to get another virus or bacteria because of this’.”