HAJJ & HEALTH

2015

VACCINATIONS…

• MENINGITIS ACWY/ MENVIO – ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR VISA

DON’T JUST GET THE CERT!! (LOCAL PHARMACY IS USUALLY MOST COST EFFECTIVE)

ALSO RECOMMENDED

• FLU (AT RISK)

• TYPHOID

• HEPATITIS A /B

• TETANUS

GETTING READY….

PREPARE SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY

PHYSICAL EXERCISE – PRACTICE WALKING-30 MINS DAILY

PURCHASE WELL FITTED SANDALS/FOOTWEAR AND WEAR THEM IN

FLUIDS- MAKE SURE YOU DRINK 2.5L/DAILY

CONSIDER TRAVEL INSURANCE

KNOW YOUR MEDICAL CONDITIONS- LIAISE WITH YOUR GP EARLY ON IF YOU HAVE ANY

CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS

LET YOUR GROUP LEADER KNOW

TAKE A REPEAT MEDICATION LIST

ORDER MEDICATIONS IN ADVANCE- HAVE ENOUGH FOR TRIP (TAKE EXTRA SUPPLIES)

KEEP MEDICATION IN HAND LUGGAGE

DIABETICS…..

• ID CARD/ MEDIC ALERT BRACELET

• KEEP INSULIN IN THE FRIDGE IF POSSIBLE, TAKE PLENTY

OF NEEDLES

• STORAGE DEVICES FOR INSULIN– FRIO

• KNOW “HYPO” SYMPTOMS & HOW TO TREAT

• KEEP A SUGARY SNACK WITH YOU

FRIO- AVAILABLE FROM PHARMACIES /ON LINE

WOMEN….

MAY WISH TO POSTPONE PERIOD

CONSULT YOUR GP

2 OPTIONS

• ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

• NORETHISTERONE

FLIGHT....

• DVT PREVENTION – FLUIDS, FOOT EXERCISES, DVT SOCKS

• MEDICATIONS FOR FLIGHT – INHALERS, INSULIN, TRAVEL SICKNESS

• IF CARRYING NEEDLES (INSULIN), CONTROLLED DRUGS (MORPHINE)

OR LIQUIDS – LETTER FROM GP

MEDICAL FACILITIES IN MAKKAH…

IN THE HARAM

• NO. 94 - BABAL ABDUL AZIZ

• NO. 5 - AJYAD DOOR GROUND AND MIDDLE FLOOR (MAIN ONE)

OUTSIDE HARAM – GROUND FLOOR OF ABRAJ AL BAIT

• PRIVATE CLINIC IN ABRAJ AL BAIT

For 3 weeks during Hajj time

7 doctors (including female)

Free for UK citizens

Shifts to Mina camp for 5 days of Hajj

Free medical services

Over 1000 workers

Ambulances and helicopters as well as

clinics and hospitals

Pay upfront-

Fast and efficient for minor

conditions

TOP 7 PRESENTATIONS…

• DEHYDRATION

• PHARYNGITIS/HAJJI COUGH

• MENSTRUAL ISSUES

• BLISTERS/CRACKED HEELS

• GROIN SORENESS

• DIARRHOEA

• CONSTIPATION

SUN AND HEAT…SYMPTOMS

• HEADACHES

• DIZZINESS

• NAUSEA AND VOMITING

• MUSCLE CRAMPS

• HIGH TEMPERATURE

• HOT, RED, DRY SKIN

• SLEEPINESS

• BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES-AGGRESSION

FLUIDS…

• CAN LOSE 1-2 L/HR OF WATER WHEN WALKING IN 40 DEGREE HEAT

• THIS IS IN ADDITION TO USUAL DAILY REQUIREMENT- 2.5-3L/DAY

• SALT LOSS IS ALSO A FACTOR

• A 330ML BOTTLE OF DIORALYTE ISN’T ADEQUATE REPLACEMENT

SUN AND HEAT…..

• DRINK FLUIDS ++ (SPORTS DRINKS…NOT TEA/COFFEE)

• SPRINKLE WATER /COLD FLANNEL

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SHADE

• WHITE UMBRELLA

• LOOSEN CLOTHING

HAJJI COUGH/ MERS CORNOVIRUS

• DOCTORS CAN TREAT BUT NOT CURE!

• EXPECT TO FEEL UNWELL

• EARLY INTERVENTION HELPFUL

• REST, PARACETAMOL, SALT WATER GARGLES, LOZENGES, +/-

ANTIBIOTICS

• ANTIVIRAL – TAMIFLU? NEED TO START WITHIN 24 HOURS OF

SYMPTOMS

FOOT PROBLEMS.....

• FEET MAY SWELL DUE TO HEAT - KEEP ELEVATED WHENEVER POSSIBLE

• CRACKED HEELS MOISTURISE 2-3 X DAY

• WALK CAREFULLY IN HARAM AS FLOORS ARE SLIPPERY WHEN WET

• REMOVE EXCESS MOISTURE QUICKLY

• AVOID MATERIALS WHICH RUB ON THE SKIN

• REMOVE SAND FROM FOOTWEAR

• AVOID WALKING BAREFOOT AS YOU MAY GET BURNT

GROIN ISSUES….

• IN MEN, SWEATING AND RUBBING OF THIGHS MAY CAUSE ITCHY

RASH IN GROIN AREA

• USE OF VASELINE GIVES RELIEF (MAKE SURE IT IS UNSCENTED)

DIARRHOEA….

• IN CASES OF DIARRHOEA KEEP UP WITH YOUR FLUID INTAKE

• DO NOT TAKE MEDICATION FOR DIARRHOEA UNLESS VERY FREQUENT

(>6 TIMES IN 12 HOURS)

HEAD SHAVING....

• INSIST ON A NEW STERILE BLADE- OTHERWISE WALK AWAY

• OFFICIAL BARBERS HAVE MANDATORY TESTING FOR HEPATITIS B, C &

HIV

• AVOID OPPORTUNISTIC BARBERS

FINALLY….

• DON’T PANIC!! PLENTY OF MEDICAL HELP AVAILABLE BUT PLEASE TRY

TO HELP YOURSELF

• REMEMBER FLUIDS AND BLADES

• MAY ASWT ACCEPT YOUR PILGRIMAGE AND BLESS WITH A

MABROOR HAJJ

• PLEASE REMEMBER THE WHOLE OF OUR UMMAH IN YOUR DUAS