Convention Fans

If you’ve ever gotten sick right after attending a convention, then you probably fell victim to the dreaded “con crud” (also affectionately known as “con plague”). It’s what happens after being in close proximity to so many people, who are coughing all over you in line, touching the same doorknobs, sharing their bottled water…you get the picture. Well, never fear con goers, there are ways to combat con crud!

1. Hand Sanitizer is Your New Best Friend

Getting a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer is an absolute must if you’re going to do battle with the crud. With so many people coming and going in the same area, all touching the same surfaces, it can be pretty easy to pick up someone else’s cold. Find a brand that dries fast and has an easy open top so you can squirt some on quickly, and be on your merry way.

2. Get Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for the Hotel Room

Clorox actually makes a brand of sanitizing wipe that has been proven to kill the Flu Virus and other nasty germs. Get a container for the hotel room, especially if you’re sharing it with a bunch of other people (even more so if you’re sharing with people you have never met before the con). Wipe down the door handles, the toilet bowl handle, etc.

3. Sleep May be for the Weak, but It’s Also for Those Who Don’t Want Con Crud

I know this goes against some conventional convention wisdom, but you actually do need sleep at a con. Yes, you do. And more than two or three hungover hours worth. By going for an entire weekend without giving your body enough rest, you make its immune system more vulnerable. The year my con crud turned into full blown bronchitis, was the year I had about 6 hours of sleep over the course of a four day convention. I was sick for almost three weeks after the con.  (Who am I kidding? It was totally worth it.)

4. Getting Enough to Eat is Important

Getting plenty to eat goes hand-in-hand with getting enough sleep. You can’t torture your body and expect it to fight off infections, viruses, germs, etc. All of that walking, running around, hanging out, dancing, partying, drinking, etc. will catch up with you real fast if you don’t fuel your body properly. If you don’t have the time or money to spend on getting a square meal three times a day, at least take along some protein bars or other calorie dense snacks.

5. Vitamin C/Airborne/Vitaminwater 

I make no personal claims that consuming vitamin C/Airborne/Vitaminwater will effectively keep the con crud at bay, but so many people swear by them that I figure it’s at least worth mentioning.  So here they are. Mentioned.

6. Don’t Do Something Stupid…Like Make Out with the Sick Sailor Moon Chick

This should probably go without saying, but I’m going to anyway: don’t make out, share drinks, swap bodily fluids, or otherwise have intimate contact with a sick convention attendee. You will probably get what they have. Duh.

If all else fails… and you get the con crud despite your best efforts, it may be a good idea to see a doctor pretty soon after you get home. It could just be a cold, but it could be something more serious, that requires antibiotics.

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