According to Urban Dictionary, Con Crud (also known as The Blorch) are illnesses which are spread around at science fiction and furry conventions due to the large numbers of people who gather and interact in one confined place. Lack of sleep, drama, stress, travel, and post con depression may also depress the immune system, contributing to con crud. Generally after the con is over, is when said illnesses has reached peak incubation time. Oftentimes, the larger the convention is, the worse con crud becomes.
 | With tens of thousands of people in a confined area you know some folks are wiping their nose or coughing into their hands and then touching every surface available, from handrails to elevator buttons, water fountains, food and more. |
We’re here to give you the top 20 pointers on how you can avoid Con Crud and enjoy your con during and after it’s over.
1. Avoid close contact.
Good luck with that. But that doesn’t mean you have to be rubbing up on everybody…furries we’re looking at you. This also means no glomping and you should probably avoid the creepy looking people walking around with the “Free Hugs” sign too.
2. Know the signs.
It someone is hacking and wheezing then stay away from them (unless they are wearing a DarthVader mask. Then congratulate them on their costume).
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Also, if you’re not sick, it can help from smelling Con Funk, which probably carries all sorts of nasty stuff.
4. Clean your hands.
What happens at cons stays at cons, unless you pick something up and take it home. Wash your hands and PLEASE don’t be one of those nasty people that don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom.
5. Take Vitamins. Start the week before.
We’re not talking about the stuff people sell that look like health and stamina potions, we mean real honest to goodness vitamins. Pop ‘em, eat t’em, drink ‘em, heck bathe in ‘em but just make sure you get some - especially if you plan to give blood.
*****Read More after the Jump*******
Good luck with that. But that doesn’t mean you have to be rubbing up on everybody…furries we’re looking at you. This also means no glomping and you should probably avoid the creepy looking people walking around with the “Free Hugs” sign too.
2. Know the signs.
It someone is hacking and wheezing then stay away from them (unless they are wearing a DarthVader mask. Then congratulate them on their costume).
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Also, if you’re not sick, it can help from smelling Con Funk, which probably carries all sorts of nasty stuff.
4. Clean your hands.
What happens at cons stays at cons, unless you pick something up and take it home. Wash your hands and PLEASE don’t be one of those nasty people that don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom.
5. Take Vitamins. Start the week before.
We’re not talking about the stuff people sell that look like health and stamina potions, we mean real honest to goodness vitamins. Pop ‘em, eat t’em, drink ‘em, heck bathe in ‘em but just make sure you get some - especially if you plan to give blood.
*****Read More after the Jump*******
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs - like Furries, gamer dice, that random pair of underwear you found outside your hotel room door -and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Seriously, it’s a con, you don’t want that stuff around your face.
7. Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active - there are gyms at the hotels, manage your stress - is seeing that one person that was only on three episodes of your favorite show really worth it? Drink plenty of fluids - not just soda, or alcohol or alcohol with soda. Get some juices in there…and no juice flavored drinks don’t count, and eat nutritious food.
8. Incorporate Gloves and Masks into you Costume.
To help avoid contact with the Crud infected try incorporating masks, gloves and other covering items into your costume.
9. Carry and USE Hand Sanitizer.
Kill Crud germs on contact with hand sanitizer. Don’t be afraid to share, even if the other person doesn't want it. Put some on your hands and shake a few other peoples. Don’t be afraid to give the slimy handshake of Sanitation. You’ll be doing a public service.
10. Wash your stinky butt.
If you have a room, go there and take a shower. If you don’t, make friends with someone with a room and then take a shower. If that’s not available go to one of the many bathrooms and grab a paper towel wash the offending areas of your person whatever they may be. And use soap.
11. Avoid the Gamers Room.
Unless you want to know what 1500’s Paris really smelled like, after the second day just stay away from there. We love our gamers and welcome them to the conning community with open arms, but only after they bathe. Seriously stay away.
12. Get some sleep.
After a certain time at night it’s mostly Furries, Ravers and Emos so unless you’re into that, go get some shut eye.
13. Get your freak on safely.
She may be fine as all get out in the Fifth Element white tape outfit or he may be rocking that Dark Elf paint to the max, but not everything rubs or washes off.
14. Get some sun and fresh air.
Weather permitting go outside and get some fresh air and Vitamin D. The sun is your friend, unless you’re super pale or something. No really, it is. It’s a star as in “Star Wars” and “Star Trek”. Be acquainted with your local star.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs - like Furries, gamer dice, that random pair of underwear you found outside your hotel room door -and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Seriously, it’s a con, you don’t want that stuff around your face.
7. Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active - there are gyms at the hotels, manage your stress - is seeing that one person that was only on three episodes of your favorite show really worth it? Drink plenty of fluids - not just soda, or alcohol or alcohol with soda. Get some juices in there…and no juice flavored drinks don’t count, and eat nutritious food.
8. Incorporate Gloves and Masks into you Costume.
To help avoid contact with the Crud infected try incorporating masks, gloves and other covering items into your costume.
9. Carry and USE Hand Sanitizer.
Kill Crud germs on contact with hand sanitizer. Don’t be afraid to share, even if the other person doesn't want it. Put some on your hands and shake a few other peoples. Don’t be afraid to give the slimy handshake of Sanitation. You’ll be doing a public service.
10. Wash your stinky butt.
If you have a room, go there and take a shower. If you don’t, make friends with someone with a room and then take a shower. If that’s not available go to one of the many bathrooms and grab a paper towel wash the offending areas of your person whatever they may be. And use soap.
11. Avoid the Gamers Room.
Unless you want to know what 1500’s Paris really smelled like, after the second day just stay away from there. We love our gamers and welcome them to the conning community with open arms, but only after they bathe. Seriously stay away.
12. Get some sleep.
After a certain time at night it’s mostly Furries, Ravers and Emos so unless you’re into that, go get some shut eye.
13. Get your freak on safely.
She may be fine as all get out in the Fifth Element white tape outfit or he may be rocking that Dark Elf paint to the max, but not everything rubs or washes off.
14. Get some sun and fresh air.
Weather permitting go outside and get some fresh air and Vitamin D. The sun is your friend, unless you’re super pale or something. No really, it is. It’s a star as in “Star Wars” and “Star Trek”. Be acquainted with your local star.
15. No biting/ Don’t get bit.
This is for all the overly zealous zombie, vampire, werewolf and Furries out there. Unless you’re an incredibly hot Guest/Speaker or otherwise invited to do so, keep your mouth off of other people.
16. Avoid Skeevy _______________.
This applies to pirates, vampires, elves, superheroes, old people, people offering candy and so forth. Just say No to skeevy.
17. Don’t share drinks.
This includes family and friends. Sure you may know them, but are you with them 24/7? Plus, for whatever reason, some people seem to lose their common sense at a con. Don’t let their bad decisions sent you to the doctor’s office.
18. If you found it in the street, leave it in the street.
This applies to costume items, swag, cigarettes, certain people and food…especially certain people and food.
19. Do not eat improperly stored food.
If you bring something back to your room and cannot keep it at the temperature it’s supposed to be stored at then don’t eat it.
20. Seriously, shower. Every. Day.
List provided by Myles Anderson
This is for all the overly zealous zombie, vampire, werewolf and Furries out there. Unless you’re an incredibly hot Guest/Speaker or otherwise invited to do so, keep your mouth off of other people.
16. Avoid Skeevy _______________.
This applies to pirates, vampires, elves, superheroes, old people, people offering candy and so forth. Just say No to skeevy.
17. Don’t share drinks.
This includes family and friends. Sure you may know them, but are you with them 24/7? Plus, for whatever reason, some people seem to lose their common sense at a con. Don’t let their bad decisions sent you to the doctor’s office.
18. If you found it in the street, leave it in the street.
This applies to costume items, swag, cigarettes, certain people and food…especially certain people and food.
19. Do not eat improperly stored food.
If you bring something back to your room and cannot keep it at the temperature it’s supposed to be stored at then don’t eat it.
20. Seriously, shower. Every. Day.
List provided by Myles Anderson
