Coachella Cough: How Concertgoers Can Avoid The Festival Flu

INDIO, CA — As thousands of fans gather for the second and final weekend of the 2024 Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio Friday, there's more than just the upcoming artists to consider: How to avoid the Coachella Cough.

Several weekend one attendees have claimed illnesses from the three-day party, including colds, flu, and more severe infections over social media. The American Lung Association declares the cough a real deal and something festival-goers and musical artists should take seriously.

According to Dr. Cedric "Jamie" Rutland, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician and Lung Association spokesperson, the Coachella cough can affect anyone, from artists to famous fans.

"The terms 'Festival Flu' or 'Coachella Cough' are used as an overarching slang term for various illnesses people can pick up at music and film festivals," Rutland wrote.

Even Taylor Swift showed a slight huskiness in her voice after her Saturday night Coachella appearance in a Spotify video celebrating the release week of her new album, "The Tortured Poets Department." Fans wondered on X, formerly Twitter if she caught the Coachella Cough. Others asked if it was perhaps just from attending the music festival.

During the first weekend of the Coachella Music & Arts 2024 festival, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a Windblown Dust Advisory on Saturday for all of Coachella Valley as air quality plummeted in the Indio region.

According to the district, the air quality for the April 19-21 weekend remains "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." Concerned concert attendees may consider donning a bandanna, scarf, or mask.

Rutland, Lung Association spokesperson, further discussed the condition.

"The most common symptoms of festival flu include coughing, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, fever and body aches," he said. "It's usually not a specific illness but a combination of lack of sleep, lack of nutrition, screaming, shouting, and dehydration."

How to avoid Coachella cough and getting ill at festivals:

Navin Khosla, pharmacist at NowPatient, shared some advice on how to prevent and treat Coachella cough or other festival flu:

• Wear a face covering or bandana to protect against dust
• Wash your hands often and pack a personal sanitizer
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Avoid smoking and vaping, including second-hand smoke
• Have up-to-date flu vaccines
• Begin allergy medication before arriving

Rutland advised those concerned with their symptoms to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and relieve them with over-the-counter medications.

He added: "Stay healthy and safe so that you can breathe well and sing at the top of your lungs."