The Irish Pharmacy Union has issued tips to encourage festival goers to have a happy and healthy weekend at Electric Picnic.
Unprotected sex, dehydration, sunburn and diarrhoea are the top threats to the health and safety of festival goers, according to pharmacists who are urging the thousands of people heading to Electric Picnic to stay safe and look after their health.
The Irish Pharmacy Union has sought to provide festival goers with advice on how to keep their weekend as happy and healthy as possible, warning that festival goers should be especially cautious about the risks of unprotected sex.
“Our advice is to plan ahead,” said Ms. Ann Marie Horan, pharmacist and member of the Irish Pharmacy Union’s (IPU) Executive Committee.
“If you believe there is any chance of an unplanned sexual encounter, bring condoms with you. Condoms are essential to protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections and, since normal oral contraception can become ineffective if the person is suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea, it is better to be safe rather than sorry.”
Advice as simple as washing hands correctly, taking medicine as prescribed, wearing sun cream and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration are amongst the tips issued by the IPU (see below) ahead of one of the biggest weekends of the Irish music calendar.
“At festivals people can be a bit lax in washing their hands, Horan added.
“Hands are the highway to the transmission and spread of bacteria and food-borne illness and it has been proven that hand washing is the simplest, most effective measure for preventing the spread of germs. So we are encouraging festival goers to wash their hands before they eat, after going to the toilet or handling rubbish. They should also bring along and use hand gel with a high alcohol content and use it regularly.
“It’s important to take your medication as prescribed,” she continued.
“If you have asthma, bring your inhaler and spare cartridges, or if you are have diabetes, make sure to take your insulin and eat regularly to avoid a drop in blood sugars.
“Music festivals such as Electric Picnic are there to be enjoyed. It is important that individuals take all precautions to ensure that they have a safe and healthy festival experience.”
Irish Pharmacy Union’s tips to cover some of the common health issues that arise at major music events
Wash your hands
- Wash your hands before you eat, after going to the toilet or handling rubbish.
- Bring along hand gel with a high alcohol content and use it regularly.
Prescription Medication
- Make sure to bring along an adequate supply of any prescription medication you may be taking.
- Asthma sufferers should take preventative inhalers with them, even if they are not showing any symptoms.
- Anyone with an allergy to any prescription medicine, such as penicillin, should wear a bracelet or necklace stating this fact.
Sexual Health
- If you intend to be sexually active at the festival, take precautions and practice safe sex. Always use a condom to protect against STIs.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea can render oral contraceptives ineffective.
Suncare
- Apply SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before you go out into the sun and reapply regularly.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses.
- If you suffer from cold sores, wear a lip balm with high sun protection and carry a cream to treat cold sores.
- Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Stomach Upsets
- Stomach upsets can be common at events such as festivals where peoples’ normal dietary routine is interrupted. Ask your pharmacist about appropriate over-the-counter medicines to bring with you should this happen.
- It is important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration if you are suffering from diarrhoea. In some cases, rehydration sachets may be necessary.
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