After departing on a red eye flight from Cancun to LAX in January 2008, my husband, myself and sister surely thought it would be a quiet flight where we would get the opportunity to sleep through the entire thing. However, quickly we discovered that we got stuck sitting in front of a father and son (about 4 years old) who were both coughing the entire way back. It was not a random cough here and there…it was every 30 seconds! Needless to say, we did not get the chance to rest during the flight…but this was not the worse part. The next morning, my husband and I woke up with the worst body aches we had ever experienced. Over the next four days we experienced, fevers, doctor’s visits, and headaches – all signs of the flu. My two week vacation in Cancun was plagued by the additional four days I spent in bed sick!
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This story is a relevant one considering current concerns about swine flu. Here's a link to a Wall Street Journal article about the topic of flu transmission in airplanes; the doctor interviewed stated that those who are within 2 rows of a sick person are at the greatest risk of becoming infected: Swine Flu and Travel: Q&A on Infectious Diseases in Airline Cabins
It's never fun being sick away from home. Although it's uncomfortable, and may make you "stand out", I'd consider taking surgical masks on your next trip. Maybe put them on if you see a problem like what you did.
That sucks, but at least you didn't get the flu when you just started your vacation. THAT would have been sad.
I've got you beat! How about catching head lice on a flight! It happened this summer. I have never used the airline pillows or blankets but you really can't help having your head touch the seat back.