Coachella, or "Beychella" as some of us are still calling it [1], is right around the corner and if you're familiar with the annual music festival then you know it's where thousands of people and influencers gather in Indio, California to serve fun street-style looks [2] while enjoying music from some of their favorite artists. But more importantly it's home to lots of dust and wind — and with that comes a genuine health concern. Many Coachella-goers past have complained of something called "Coachella cough" or "festival flu".

While not a technical medical term, Coachella cough refers to the cough or series of flu-like symptoms that festivalgoers experience after being exposed to dust storms, high winds, and second-hand smoke for several days at a time. Not to mention the copious amounts of pollen projected [3] to be in the air throughout the festival, which can also contribute to the mixture of cough, congestion, sneezing, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms known as Coachella cough or festival flu.

"Any time one is in an environment that involves a lot of social interaction with people from a wide geographic area, there will be a chance that pathogens will be transmitted," says Amesh Adalja, MD, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

One 2023 attendee described her lungs as "drowning in dust" [4] after the festival. Another person who attended in 2022 shared a "What's in my bag" video [5] to show what she packs in order to help protect herself from Coachella cough, including a bandana, eye drops, cough drops, hand sanitizer, and face masks.

If you're heading to Coachella this year, don't go unprepared. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about Coachella cough, including how to protect yourself from it and other illnesses while attending the music festival.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Amesh A. Adalja [6], MD, is an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

What Is Coachella Cough or Festival Flu?

Coachella cough is a colloquial term used to describe the cough and other flu-like symptoms many festivalgoers experience during or after Coachella. It is also sometimes referred to as festival flu. Symptoms of festival flu are similar to the common cold and can also include the following, per Respiratory Therapy Zone [7], an educational platform for respiratory therapists and students:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Fever
• Body aches

Coachella cough typically lasts 3 to 7 days, Respiratory Therapy Zone states. But it can persist for up to 2 weeks. If your symptoms are worsening or persist beyond that, you should see a doctor, especially considering that a cough isn't the only thing you can pick up.

Respiratory pathogens, such as COVID, influenza [8], rhinovirus [9], and probably a dozen others would "find Coachella to be a hospitable environment," per Dr. Adalja.

How to Avoid Coachella Cough and Other Festival Illnesses

When it comes to Coachella cough, dust and high winds are going to be your primary assailants. While face coverings are not currently required at Coachella, attendees often wear face masks or bandanas to protect against desert dust (and for style, too). The American Lung Association [10] also lists the following best practices for avoiding festival flu:

• Wash your hands often and pack sanitizer in case hand washing stations are not available.
• Stay hydrated. Doing so "will keep the lining of your nose and throat from drying out so that mucus remains moist and easy to clear from the nose," the American Lung Association states.
• Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol as they lead to dehydration.
• Avoid smoke. Even secondhand smoke can irritate your throat and cause a cough.
• Start your allergy medication even before you arrive.

It's also important to remember that COVID-19 is still prevalent [11]. Safety measures like frequent hand washing or sanitizing and distancing yourself from large groups (when possible) should not be underestimated. If you or a friend is feeling ill and require medical assistance Coachella advises that you locate your nearest medical tent or alert festival personnel.

Remember: Coachella is supposed to be fun — and it's an insanely memorable way to enjoy music. But it's important to be smart and mindful of your own health (as well as those around you), so that the only thing you're bringing back home are those good memories.

Ambre Winfrey [12] is a PS contributor.