Health Professionals

Health Information Sheets

Updated June 2011

Health advice for those attending indoor and outdoor festivals

Medical facilities and travel insurance

  • Obtain comprehensive travel insurance. For travel to Europe carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in addition to travel insurance.
  • Some events may provide emergency medical aid stations and drug support services [1]; find out where these facilities are located in case you should need them.

Safety and security

  • Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for safety and security issues before travelling. Register with the FCO’s LOCATE service.
  • Find out about the host country’s cultural code and respect it.
  • Be aware of your own personal safety and that of friends. Women in particular should guard against the risk of sexual assault.
  • Avoid antagonistic and confrontational situations.
  • Be aware that crowds may suddenly surge or riot resulting in crush injury.
  • Minimise the risk of fire: familiarize yourself with fire exits, do not use open flames near tents.
  • Be aware of swimming risks: diving into unfamiliar waters, swimming at night, swimming after drinking alcohol, swimming in fresh water where schistosomiasis is a risk (e.g. Lake Malawi in Africa).

Vaccinations - including measles risk

  • Discuss travel plans with your practice nurse or travel clinic at least six weeks prior to departure.
  • Check the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages for health advice and recommendations for specific countries.
  • Measles vaccination with MMR is recommended for all travellers who have no history of natural infection or who have not received two doses of a measles containing vaccine.

Malaria

  • Discuss travel plans with your practice nurse or travel clinic at least six weeks prior to departure.
  • Check the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages for health advice and recommendations for specific countries.

Heat, cold and wet

  • Be prepared for extremes of weather and changing weather conditions; dress accordingly (light clothing in hot conditions, layered clothing in cold conditions, waterproofs for wet weather).
  • Keep warm and dry in cold/wet weather. Prolonged exposure to cold and wet can result in hypothermia. Temperatures can drop at night.
  • Avoid overheating. Drink plenty of water, especially during very hot weather and whilst physically active.
  • Sports drinks may help maintain electrolyte balance.
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to strong sunlight and protect yourself by wearing a hat and applying high factor (SPF) sun-screen.

Drugs and alcohol

  • Dealing or using illegal drugs is prohibited, and a no-tolerance policy is usually enforced at festivals with the support of local law enforcement agencies. 
  • Nevertheless illegal drugs, herbal drugs and nitrous oxide (NOS) may be available within the confines of event venues.
  • Alcohol may be prohibited, restricted or freely available, depending on event policy.
  • Drug and alcohol use may result in unpleasant, unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening side effects. Depending on substance taken, effects can include paranoia, depression, violent behaviour, hyperthermia (overheating) and hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) [2, 3].
  • If you choose to use drugs/alcohol, take the following precautions:
    • Do not drink anything that may have been tampered with.
    • Know what substance you or your friends have taken in order that the correct action can be taken in an emergency situation.
    • If needed, seek help and advice from support agencies at the venue.
    • Needles should be discarded appropriately so that they do not pose a risk to other individuals.
    • Ecstasy (methylenedioxmethamphetamine or MDMA) can result in hyperthermia  or hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) due to excess water consumption), and other complications [2,3]. Users should understand the importance of controlling body temperature and regulating fluid intake.
    • Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance.

Noise

  • Exposure to noise levels of over 80 decibels can damage hearing. The risk of damage increases as the noise level becomes greater (see Links below).
  • In order to reduce the risk of hearing damage from noise:
  • Have regular breaks from high noise levels where possible.
  • Use earplugs (sometimes available at the venue).

Food and water hygiene

  • Food and water hygiene may be poor at large events.
  • Lavatory facilities may be basic and sanitary conditions can deteriorate. 
  • Faecal-oral transmitted infections can be minimised by practising food, water and personal hygiene precautions.

Insect bite precautions

  • Practise insect bite avoidance, e.g. repellents, protective clothing, sleeping in screened accommodation to reduce the risk of insect-borne diseases.  
  • Check the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages for specific advice on malaria and other insect-borne diseases for your destination.

Sexual health

  • Sexual encounters with an unknown partner should be avoided; if they occur practice safer sex.
  • Condoms may not be easily obtained at some venues. Be sure to carry a personal supply of condoms that carry the British Kite standard mark.

Tattooing and body piercing

  • Tattoos and body piercing should be avoided because of the risk of blood-borne infections including HIV, hepatitis B & hepatitis C. 

References

1.  Milsten AM, Maguire BJ, Bissell RA, Seaman K. Mass-gathering medical care: a review of the literature. Prehospital Disaster Med 17:151-62, 2002.

2. Department of Health. FRANK: The truth about drugs. July 2006. Department of Health Publications. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalasset

s/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4137442.pdf

3. Gowling LR, Henry-Edwards SM, Irvine RJ, Ali RL. The health effects of ecstasy: a literature review. Drug Alcohol Rev 21:53-63, 2002.

Links