AUSTIN (KXAN) — Feeling sick after attending Austin City Limits Music Festival Weekend 1? Or getting ready to hit Zilker Park for Weekend 2?
Either way, know that the “ACL flu” is real… kind of.
We asked Kristi Morrow with Baylor Scott & White Health if the ACL flu was an actual thing.
“It kind of is,” she said. “You know, it’s because of people being around so many other people, and the dust and everything.”
Morrow said folks describe post-ACL sickness symptoms as cough, fever, chills, etc.
This type of illness is not exclusive to the major Austin music fest, either. The American Lung Association calls it the “Festival Flu.”
The association explained in a 2023 blog why the so-called Festival Flu can happen:
“Besides being surrounded by music and friends, you may encounter dirt, pollen and even secondhand smoke,” the association wrote. “If you’re one of the unlucky folks to catch a show after a rainy day, you can add mud, mold, grass, weeds and other allergens to the mix. Unfortunately, this combination of elements makes festivals breeding grounds for coughs, sneezes and wheezes. With poor access to handwashing stations, challenging weather and having too much fun to hydrate, this is the perfect storm for a virus.”
Morrow said ACL attendees can choose to wear a mask or bandana over their nose and mouth to limit exposure to pathogens.
She also recommended bringing a blanket to sit on, rather than sitting directly on the ground and being exposed to dirt and grass, as well as bringing hand sanitizer.
Morrow noted that staying hydrated is another important aspect of staying healthy when spending a lot of time outdoors and in the heat. She also reminded folks that flu shots decrease the risk of hospitalization after exposure to influenza.
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