Tips to prevent coughs and colds during Hajj & bull; hello healthy

When performing the pilgrimage in the Holy Land, you need to always pay attention to your health so you can worship solemnly. Whenever the body can get sick. For example, pilgrims often experience coughs and colds. Before your health condition deteriorates due to coughs and colds during Hajj, it is better for you to take precautions.

What causes the congregation to experience coughs and colds during Hajj?

First of all, let's talk about coughs first. Coughing is actually the body's reaction to clear the throat of mucus or irritants. However, coughs can also be caused or be a symptom of other health problems.

As reported on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI), the cough experienced by pilgrims is mostly caused by the climate and hot weather, fatigue, and dust scattered in the air and then inhaled by the congregation.

Meanwhile, the cold is caused by a spreading virus and you may be catching it unconsciously. The spread of the virus can be through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces with cold viruses.

Cough and cold are both health problems that occur in the respiratory tract. The two often appear simultaneously when you worship the Hajj.

The importance of preventing coughs and colds during the pilgrimage

Coughs and colds usually go away within a week or two of symptoms appearing. However, if you wait for your coughs and colds to go away on their own, the pilgrimage is likely to be disrupted.

Need fast and effective treatment to overcome this health condition. If the coughs and colds still don't go away, you may experience complications that are quite common for pilgrims, such as:

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis

What are the tips for preventing coughs and colds during Hajj?

There are several things that the congregation needs to pay attention to so that they don't catch coughs and colds during Hajj. Reporting from the Ministry of Religion's website, a worship guide suggested that the pilgrims should reduce activities outside the hotel.

In addition, you can prevent catching coughs and colds during Hajj with the following tips:

1. Use a mask

As explained earlier, coughing in many pilgrims is caused by irritation, so it is important to wear a mask every time you do outdoor activities. This is to prevent irritation.

Plus, masks can prevent viruses and bacteria that cause colds from entering the body. You need to use a mask, especially when you are in a crowded place and filled with other pilgrims to avoid coughs and colds during Hajj.

2. Get a handkerchief

Handkerchiefs are useful for reducing the spread of viruses or bacteria that cause colds. Prevent the spread of the virus by covering your nose and mouth with handkerchiefs when coughing and sneezing. If you don't have a handkerchief, cover coughs and sneezes with your upper arm.

3. Wash your hands often

The spread of a cold can occur through touch, for example, you may be subconsciously shaking hands with someone who has a cold. Therefore, it is important to always wash your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or face before cleaning your hands.

Coughs and colds during Hajj can be avoided as long as you always maintain cleanliness and keep away from exposure to viruses and bacteria.

4. Maintain nutritional intake

One study found that people who ate fruit, fiber, and flavonoids were less likely to experience chronic respiratory symptoms such as coughing. In addition, eating vitamin-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables also helps increase endurance. If you have trouble finding healthy foods, supplements or vitamins can be an alternative during your pilgrimage.

You can take immune supplements containing vitamin C, Vitamin D, and zinc in effervescent format (water soluble tablets). Besides being effective at increasing endurance, at the same time it also increases the consumption of fluids in the body to avoid dehydration.

5. Get enough rest

Try to always get enough rest time and don't force yourself to do worship, other than those included in the series of hajj pilgrimages. The body needs time to restore lost energy. Therefore, go to sleep immediately when it's time to resume activities the next day.