Hajj: journey of a lifetime

Problems of sun and heat

Travelling to Mecca in advance of the Hajj is sensible, particularly for people unaccustomed to the oppressive climate of the Arabian desert (box 3). Pilgrims need to be made aware that acclimatisation to very high temperatures—which occurs through a gradual increase in sweat production, thereby facilitating cooling through increased water evaporation—can take between one and two weeks.7

Sunburn is an important hazard, particularly for light skinned people. An appropriate strength sun block will minimise the risks of burning, with its associated risk of malignant tumours. Sun exposure must be kept to a minimum as discussed below.

Even when Hajj occurs during winter, the average temperature is over 30°C during the day and 20°C at night. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are common and can be fatal, as evidenced by one study that reported more than 1700 fatalities in a single Hajj season, most of which were judged to be heat related.8 The Saudi authorities, in their role as the pilgrims' hosts, undertake valuable health promotional work, distributing leaflets and issuing radio and television warnings of the dangers of excessive sun exposure. The number of people who still die of heat is evidence that the message needs to be reiterated at every possible opportunity.

During the Hajj, men are prohibited from directly covering their heads (with a hat or scarf, for example), thereby increasing the risk of heat exposure. The usefulness of a good quality umbrella, preferably white in colour, to deflect the sun “away,” cannot be overemphasised (fig 2). Such simple measures could be life saving if the pilgrim was to lose his or her bearing in the desert, as is easily and not infrequently done. Box 4 summarises other important precautions.

Umbrellas (preferably white) provide useful shade

Heat exhaustion typically occurs in people who are not acclimatised and undertake strenuous exercise. Water depletion or a combination of salt and water depletion due to excessive sweating is the underlying cause. Up to 5 litres of water and up to 20 g of salt a day may be lost. Most cases are relatively mild, with symptoms of weakness, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps that will respond to a combination of rest, cooling, and fluid and salt replacement. Without adequate treatment, however, heatstroke may occur.9 10 Although salt tablets may be taken, they can cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset, so we suggest that a quarter of a level teaspoon of salt (approximately 1 g) is added to a pint, or two level teaspoons to a gallon (approximately 5 l), of drinking water during travel; this concentration is below the taste threshold.11

Heatstroke is a medical emergency (box 5) and can occur within 20 minutes of severe exertion.12 Skin is hot to the touch, and there is a notable absence of sweating. Young children, elderly people, and people with diabetes are most at risk. The extreme rise in body temperature makes prompt and appropriate treatment imperative. Patients should be moved into the shade, stripped, cooled with a combination of fanning and spraying the body with tepid water, and, if conscious, given fluid replacement, while expert medical attention is urgently sought.

Since the early 1980s, cooling units have been installed along the pilgrim route. Emergency services will often suspend patients in a hammock-like bed and spray them liberally with an air-water mixture. The water is warm and cools the body through evaporation, simultaneously preventing further dehydration. These simple devices are significantly quicker in reducing body temperature than the usual method of placing patients in an ice bath, possibly because vasoconstriction and shivering are not induced—responses that ultimately cause the body temperature to rise.13

Most pilgrims travel on foot, so good quality footwear is important, although in our experience it is often overlooked. During the day, the desert sand typically becomes burning hot. Care needs to be taken to avoid walking barefoot because of the serious risk of burns to the foot. This is particularly important for people with diabetic neuropathy, as very extensive damage may quickly occur, often compounded by the problems of poor wound healing and the increased risk of infection. Footwear must be removed before prayers, and people who have not been on Hajj are often unaware of the ease with which footwear can become confused with another pilgrim's and thus be inadvertently taken. Pilgrims may be forced to walk barefoot in an attempt to reclaim their footwear, with potentially devastating consequences. Thus pilgrims should be advised to carry footwear in a bag at all times.

Infectious diseases

An outbreak of group A meningococcal meningitis occurred among British Muslim pilgrims after the 1987 Hajj. Eighteen primary cases occurred among pilgrims and 15 subsequent cases among their direct and indirect contacts.14 15 Similarly, outbreaks of W135 meningococcal disease occurred among British pilgrims in 2000 and 2001. The Saudi authorities now insist that all pilgrims are vaccinated with two doses of ACWY Vax (three months apart) with conjugate meningitis vaccination.16 Immunity is thought to last for approximately three years. A medical certificate confirming vaccination is now required before visas will be issued.

Vaccination against hepatitis A and malaria prophylaxis, together with advice on measures to minimise the risk of exposure, are important. We recommend vaccination against hepatitis B (see below). In addition to checking tetanus and polio status, typhoid and diphtheria vaccination should be considered. Many people decide to travel on from the Hajj, particularly to Africa and the Indian sub-continent, so taking details of travel plans is important. Pilgrims need to be reminded of the importance of seeking medical attention for any unexpected symptoms, such as fever, diarrhoea, or jaundice, or a high fever on their return. A persistent cough is also significant because of the reported high incidence of pneumonia (particularly tuberculous) among pilgrims.17 18

One of the rites of the Hajj is for men to have the head shaved (although trimming the hair is also acceptable). Most will have their heads shaved, often in makeshift centres run by opportunistic “barbers.” A razor blade is commonly used, and it may be used on several scalps before being ultimately discarded. The risks of important bloodborne infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C are obvious, especially considering that many pilgrims will come from regions where such infections are now endemic. Pilgrims need to be aware of these dangers and should insist on the use of a new blade. Physical relationships are prohibited during Hajj, even between husband and wife, so the risks of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases are minimal.

Injuries

Minor injuries are relatively common, particularly to the toes; these typically result from inadvertently being stamped on while circumambulating the Ka'bah barefoot. More serious injuries, some of which prove to be fatal, occur each year during stampedes in Mina as pilgrims undertake the stoning rite (fig 3). Pilgrims should be advised to avoid peak times, and old and infirm people should be advised to consider appointing a proxy for the performance of this rite. Major trauma and death from road traffic crashes is a further important cause of injury in pilgrims.19

The stoning rite in Mina

Chronic disorders

Travellers with chronic medical conditions should take sufficient supplies of their usual drugs and also carry a written record of these, giving their generic names, in case further supplies are needed. A letter documenting medical problems and drugs will allow rapid assessment should an illness occur and will also be of help through customs.

DiabetesDiabetes is common among South Asian Muslims and often leads to health problems during the Hajj. During travel, insulin should not be put in the luggage hold of an aircraft as it may freeze. Insulin should be refrigerated, but not in the freezer compartment, during the stay in Saudi Arabia.

If any illness occurs, diabetic control will need careful monitoring and insulin may be temporarily needed in people with type 2 diabetes. Although problems of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia can occur, the second of these is more common as a result of increased physical activity.20 Food intake may therefore have to be increased before exertion. Hypoglycaemia may also occur if the insulin in Saudi Arabia is different from that of the patient's country of origin, so anyone accompanying a person with diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

We are aware of an education programme that includes classes on factors relating to diabetes, along with more practical matters concerning the Hajj.21 During these classes advice on footwear, insulin storage, food, drug doses, and immunisations are discussed. Such innovative projects could be further promoted by the Department of Health working collaboratively with, for example, the Muslim Council of Britain.

General advice

Menstruation is considered a state of ritual impurity, so menstruating women are not permitted to perform the Hajj. This often causes a great deal of concern, which is perfectly understandable if one remembers the importance of the journey and the time, effort, and money that may have been invested. Delaying menstrual bleeding, by using the combined contraceptive pill or daily progesterone, for example, is perfectly acceptable; many women consult their general practitioners or family planning clinics for this reason in the run up to the Hajj season.

Contact lenses are also often problematic, particularly in arid conditions where sand can be blown into the eyes. Ocular lubricants (such as hypromellose 1% eye drops) should be used liberally to stop lenses adhering to the cornea. Temporarily using spectacles may be another option.

Although several makeshift dispensaries are erected during the Hajj season, these are often difficult to access, largely on account of the human mass. Pilgrims should ensure that they take small supplies of common remedies, such as analgesics and clove oil for dental pain. A simple travel pack containing adhesive dressings, an insect repellent, antiseptic cream, and water sterilisation tablets is also useful.

The “Hajj travel consultation”

All potential pilgrims must now be protected against meningococcal disease, and this opportunity to review patients can be used to impart other advice (box 6). Several known risks are associated with pilgrimage to Mecca and can mar the entire experience. That said, most of these problems should, with sensible precautions, now be preventable. However, in patients who have returned from pilgrimage doctors should be vigilant for signs of diseases such as meningitis, tuberculosis, hydatid disease, malaria, and hepatitis. Fever, rash, jaundice, pyoderma, foot ulcers, diarrhoea, or vomiting should alert a healthcare professional to the possibility of an infection having been acquired during Hajj.