HPA Reminds Leeds Festival Goers of 'Top Tips' to Stay Healthy

24 August 2011

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) Yorkshire and the Humber is reminding Leeds Festival goers of a few 'top tips' to keep themselves healthy and enjoy the festival this weekend.

Evidence from other festivals shows that most visits to the medical tents or first aiders are for minor ailments including sunburn, heat stroke, sprains, coughs, colds and the occasional case of gastrointestinal illness - but there are occasionally reports of sexual health problems as well as other more serious illness such as heart attacks and respiratory illness.Dr Mike Gent, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, said: "We know that people generally end up being unwell at festivals due to the combination of too much alcohol, drugs, sex and less than ideal hygiene.

"The combination of thousands of people gathering in one place, together with no fixed toilet system or bathing facilities and lots of alcoholic drinks means an increased risk of infection, and the possibility that some people could become unwell. To reduce any risk of infections passing from person-to-person, it’s essential for festival goers to follow good hygiene practices. As always, it’s crucial for everyone to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilets.

Dr Gent continued: "Luckily most people who visit first aid or medical tents at festivals tend to have relatively minor ailments.

The HPA’s top tips for surviving festivals are:

• If you become unwell, particularly with diarrhoea and sickness, before the festival don't go as you could spread your illness to other people.
• Make sure you use condoms to protect yourself against any sexually transmitted infections. In 2010 there were over 200,000 cases of chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpes in the 15-24 year old age group in England.
• If you have to take medication for an existing condition make sure you take it with you as well as enough to last the duration of the festival.
• Make yourself aware of where the health services are at the festival.
• If you start to feel unwell while you are there seek help either from first aiders who will be present at all festivals or the other medical staff that are available at larger festivals.
• Make sure you drink alcohol in moderation, and drink enough water that has been obtained from an authorised source - either potable water taps which are signposted or bottled water where the cap is sealed.
• If it is hot and sunny wear a hat and use plenty of sunscreen to prevent sunburn and heatstroke.
• Avoid using streams and rivers for bathing or cooling off as the water quality may not be suitable.
• Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet, before eating and prior to preparing food. It is preferable to use soap and water but if that is not available then sanitising hand gel is a good substitute - bring your own and carry it around with you.
• Take great care when using camping stoves or open fires.
• Ensure you are up-to-date with immunisations to protect against illnesses such as measles and meningitis. If you are going to a festival outside the UK make sure you also don't forget to get your travel insurance policy before you go.
   

For further details about shower facilities and other welfare services at Leeds Festival this year, go to www.leedsfestival.com

ENDS

Notes for editors:

1. For more top tips and advice, visit the festival health page: http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Festivals/

2. The figures for the top five STIs by age group can be found in this spreadsheet: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1215589013156

3. The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. It does this by providing advice and information to the general public, to health professionals such as doctors and nurses, and to national and local government. To find out more, visit our website:  www.hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 20 October 2011