Preparing for BlizzCon: Protect yourself against Con Crud
by Robin Torres 
Jul 3rd 2009 at 5:30PM
Every con I have ever been to, gaming-related or otherwise, has resulted in a bunch of people getting sick afterward -- usually including me. I've heard it called Con Crud, confluenza and the grunge. Whatever the name, it's pretty much the same: cold and flu symptoms that lay you low after attending a convention. As we've discussed before, I'm no doctor, but there are some experts out there with tips on building your immune system in the weeks before BlizzCon.
- Sleep: Get 7 to 8 hours a night. Sufficient sleep helps us reduce stress on our bodies, which makes them stronger for fighting illnesses. It also helps us maintain a healthy weight. Late night raiding sessions and/or small children make this more difficult, of course, but it's a worthy goal.
- Exercise: Getting regular exercise makes your body stronger (duh) and helps you sleep better at night. It also produces chemicals that enhance your immune system. So, adding walking to your routine to help your feet will also help you avoid Con Crud.
- Eat well: A well balanced diet with high doses of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. It's hard to find an expert who doesn't recommend doing this for overall well-being.
- Take supplements: Dr. Weil recommends eating garlic daily as well as other herbs listed here. And just about everyone recommends taking Vitamin C. Any over the counter vitamin and mineral supplement will contain much of what most experts agree helps build up your defenses
Or Blizzard can enchant the exits of the Anaheim Convention Center with Cure Disease scrolls. They can do that right? I want to believe.
Edited to add: The above advice is for the time we have before BlizzCon, not during. Getting good sleep and eating well is very, very hard to do at any convention.
BlizzCon 2009 is coming up on August 21st and 22nd! We've got all the latest news and information. At BlizzCon, you can play the latest games, meet your guildmates, and ask the developers your questions. Plus, there are some great looking costumes.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, Fan stuff, BlizzCon
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pablo del Olmo Jul 3rd 2009 5:46PM
slow news day?
Vetle Lønning Bjørnestad Jul 3rd 2009 5:49PM
This is a blog, not a newspaper.
Codexx Jul 3rd 2009 5:57PM
It's actually a News Blog, a trend started by the Gawker Network that has really caught on. It's like a newspaper in Blog form, and it's also less formal, which makes it more entertaining to read and you tend to be able to find things more relevant and current, without being swamped with a ton of articles.
But they are not simply a "blog" and they are supposed to be posting news, and this article does come across as filler. Besides, there's been a lot of 3.2 news, and a lot of that news has major changes coming to the game. Contrast that with now, when many articles will be relating to discussing those changes.
However, this article, in my opinion, misses the point of a convention. Part of the convention lifestyle involves a lack of sleep, eating the convention junk food, or going to the overpriced restaurants around Disneyland. Don't worry, to enjoy anything in Southern California you'll be getting a LOT of excersize in the form of walking. You'll walk to the convention center, to the hotel, to a restaurant, around the convention, standing in lines...there's a lot of standing and walking, so expect that.
But hey, if you don't feel like abusing your body then feel free to follow these tips. :D
JustinScott Jul 3rd 2009 5:47PM
I would much rather prefer a http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=8170
:)
Robin Torres Jul 3rd 2009 5:53PM
Oh that would work. And it would look really cool.
Jariaji Jul 3rd 2009 5:49PM
Fair post. I do think its the high amount of junk food people consume at conventions in general that makes them feel under the weather. I have no evidence of this apart from my own, and other people I knows experiences. The moment they go home and start eating a more balanced diet as opposed to fat, sugar, fat, sugar, fat, sugar constantly we all feel better. That stuff gives a good temporary rush but when you eventually stop ingesting the same quantities you feel like dirt for a few days.
Arcaria Jul 3rd 2009 5:52PM
I suspect you probably should have defined the term "exercise" for many of your readers...
Nick Jul 3rd 2009 6:14PM
That's moving my mouse around and getting my daily routine of AB, right?
DarkRedMage Jul 3rd 2009 6:18PM
Shower... Shower.. Shower.
The person next to you doesn't want to smell you and you don't want to smell them.
For the love of [Insert Deity Here], please shower every day that you're at the con or any con for that matter.
Schadenfreude Jul 3rd 2009 9:04PM
This times a million. Even if you don't think you need it, hose down regularly or at least wet a washcloth and do the pits-and-crevices treatment. Wear a deodorant. Cons can get hot and close, especially if you're wearing a costume.
Xandari Jul 3rd 2009 6:26PM
Sleep is definitely important, especially if you plan to do a bit of drinking as well. When I went to Vegas several years ago, I spent the whole few days pretty much sleeping 3 hours a night max, often less, drinking a lot, and walking around. I could possibly have gotten by with a minor 'blah' afterward except an outdoors assignment for my photography class a couple of days after my return saw me get a simple bee sting, and for several days after I was in really bad shape, like I had a horrid cold. (I figure the sting was the proverbial last straw.)
Eating decently is also good, and try not to go overboard with the drank. But most important is, ultimately, a decent amount of sleep.
Xandari Jul 3rd 2009 6:28PM
Also, if you do the garlic pill thing, try to do your homework on what kind you're getting. Some are just dandy, others can make you smell like you're sweating garlic. Combined with other infamous 'Con' odors, it has the potential to probably make you smell like a level 58 DK running through SW or Org to talk to the ruler for the first time. ;)
formercustomer Jul 3rd 2009 6:31PM
- Push the liquids, can't emphasize this enough, whether sick or not, being well hydrated helps the immune system do its job, to the point of going to the bathroom every half hour.
- speaking of the bath rooms... if you can aquire paper towels without touching the dispenser, then use paper towels to avoid direct contact with the water facets and/or bathroom door handles. Be one of those germophopic freaks who avoids direct skin contact with public surfaces... trust me.
- cough/sneeze into the crux of your elbow instead of your hand. This may be more to the benefit of those around you rather than yourself, but the more who practice this simple habit, the better.
- avoid shaking hands. Be friendly and courteous but avoid skin to skin contact.
- If your hotel has a gym, use it! The body generates a fever when its sick to raise its core temperature in an effort to kill off foreign invaders, raising your core temperature through exercise on a routine basis is a good thing. *check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.
- have fun! Multiple, independent studies suggest that laughter boosts the human immune system :)
AYALAFATALIS Jul 3rd 2009 6:57PM
Are fist-bumps sanitary?
formercustomer Jul 3rd 2009 7:05PM
"are fist-bumps sanitary?"
Only if you are a democratic, presidential candidate ;) notice how the fist bumps have dropped off post-election?
Kukuena Jul 4th 2009 5:20AM
QQ much?