HotelChatter

Viva Vegas

How to Cope When You're Sick in Las Vegas

July 11, 2006 at 5:22 PM | 0 Comments

Most people get sick AFTER visiting Las Vegas. All those late nights drinking, gambling, drinking some more, and perhaps smoking a cigarette or two with little sleep wears on your immune system so that by the time you get back home, after a germ filled flight no doubt, the head cold has already begun.

This time however, we headed to Vegas with some minor sniffles. It didn't seem like a problem. Our energy level was fine. We just had to blow our nose every now and then and pop some Dayquil.

Bad idea. Vegas is not the place to be when sick. First off, the casinos have some of the worst air quality in the world thanks to their Smoking Allowed policy just about everywhere. Second, they blow cold air all the time since its about 100 degrees outside. And third, you're in Vegas with a stuffed nose. That's not so attractive.

Now that we are safely back home in bed we've come up with a list of How to Cope in When You're Sick in Las Vegas.

1. Sit outside. Despite the fact that the desert air quality is questionable at best, the heat is actually good for you and your mucous. That's why all the old folks move to Palm Springs. Besides, no matter what the pollen count, it beats getting blown over with cold air in the casino.

2. No matter how tired/weak/sick you are, get yourself to the Walgreens on the Strip where you can buy cold medicine at "normal" prices. Otherwise, you'll be stuck paying $30 for a box of nasal spray and some decongestant in the hotel's gift shops.

3. If you think you are really ill and might need to see a doctor, call the hotel's front desk and ask if they have an EMT on staff who can check you out. The EMT service, which is available at the Venetian for free, allows someone to assess your condition, give you advice and tell you whether or not you should shell out money for a doctor visit.

4. Look for freebies. For instance, anywhere there is complimentary water bottles, shake 'em down for a few bottles to take back to your room. Also hide the in-room box of Kleenex so that when housekeeping comes they will replace it with a new one, essentially saving you from buying more. And if you can stand the smokey air for a few minutes, pretend to play the slots while the cocktail waitresses get you free ginger ales.
   
   
5. If you feel well enough to gamble, hang out in the smoke-free areas of casinos, so you can at least try your luck without losing your lungs. Similarly, if your taste buds are still working (sadly ours had malfunctioned), look for the smoke-free areas of the strip restaurants.

If you have tried all of the above and still don't feel any better, then have a drink. It might make you feel worse the next day, but at least for a few hours you will forget how miserable you are.

Image via Splorp/Flickr

Related Stories:
· Smoke Free Casino [About.com]
· Smoke Free restaurants [Las Vegas Citysearch]