Muslims from around the world pour to Makkah every year to perform Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime.
Millions of pilgrims are preparing for the life-time journey of hajj. In order to avoid diseases and infections during hajj, pilgrims are supposed to abide by a variety of health tips and guidelines.
Below are some of the tips as provided by the Ministry of Health in KSA for pilgrims before embarking on their journey.
Personal Hygiene:
1. Maintain your personal hygiene equipment, such as a towel, shaving tools, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, creams, and moisturizing ointments in ample quantities, and an umbrella is also recommended when necessary.
2. Pay close attention to oral and dental cleanliness.
3. Bring a sufficient quantity of clothes, in order to change into fresh clothes regularly. Loose, light-colored clothes are also recommended.
4. Eliminate wastes in the trash.
5. Avoid spitting on the floor, since it is a hazardous source of infection.
6. Use a face-mask, especially in crowded places, and change it every now and then.
7. While sitting for a long time on the plane or bus, it is advisable to walk or stand for a short while every one or two hours, and regularly moving one’s feet while sitting, which helps to prevent swollen feet.
8. Use handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing by covering the nose and mouth, and then eliminating them in the trash. In case there are no handkerchiefs at hand, use the upper arms rather than hands.