DEAR HARRIETTE: I witnessed the aftermath of a terrible car accident that left a woman dead. When my taxi slowly inched by the accident, I figured the woman was dying. She was trapped under an SUV, bleeding from her face. I went online to find out what happened to her, and sure enough, she did not make it.

I feel so horrible for her, and I can’t get it out of my mind. I keep waking up seeing that poor woman bleeding under the car. There was nothing I could have done. Many police officers and emergency vehicles were there. I do not feel guilty, but I do feel upset. I am not sure what to do. My friends don’t want to hear about it, but I can’t seem to shake what I saw. Help! – Shaken, Manhattan, New York

DEAR SHAKEN: I am so sorry to learn of the tragedy that you witnessed. Seeing someone die can be horrifying, especially in the way that this woman died. You may want to get counseling. You can go to your spiritual home for spiritual guidance or go to a professional grief psychologist. Getting help to work through what you witnessed is a wise way of getting yourself settled again.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: I was just diagnosed with the flu, even though it’s not flu season and I had a flu shot this year. I am so mad. I did everything right, but I still got sick. Plus, I have to travel. The doctor warned me that I am contagious and there’s a chance I could contaminate people on the plane. He then said if I wore a mask, it would be OK. I really need to travel for my work. Should I trust the doctor? – Contagious, Dallas

DEAR CONTAGIOUS: I am not a doctor, so I cannot give you a medical guarantee, to be sure. But if your doctor told you what to do to reduce contaminating other people on the plane, he must have meant it. Your job will be to follow his directions to the letter. Wear your mask at all times (except when you are eating). Airplanes use recirculated air, which means whatever is in the air keeps moving around, including your germs. Use disinfectant wipes to keep your hands clean and also to clean the tray and area around you. Resist the temptation to be chatty with your seatmates. If you tell the people next to you that you aren’t feeling well, chances are, they will attempt to stay away from you – as much as is possible.

I would not tell anyone that you have the flu, as the airline may want to throw you off the plane. Instead, just keep your distance. Try not to cough or otherwise spread your germs. And, of course, take your medicine on time. Good luck.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.