Eat healthy food rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. You can take vitamin C supplements (500-1000 mg) for further protection, start at least a week before you leave and continue taking it while there. Vitamin C fights cold viruses, protects mucus membrane, and promotes the production of interferon, the body’s own natural anti-viral protein.

Raw honey with freshly squeezed lemon is great for sore throats and cough or even as prophylactic every morning. Zinc strengthens immunity and its lozenges are reported to relieve symptoms and reduce duration of common cold and sore throat.

Take echinacea extract to boost your body’s natural defense mechanism (It is available at most health food stores and pharmacies – make sure to get the alcohol-free extract not the tincture).

Finally, you can ask your physician to prescribe an antibiotic for you to carry along in case of need. A broad spectrum antibiotic like ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin will do the job. I do not recommend taking it as prophylactic, just keep it with you to take it if respiratory infection symptoms start to surface. If the symptoms are severe, though, you might consider seeing a physician. But as I said earlier, It is highly important not to panic. Stress and worry  are proven to greatly undermine our immunity.

• Every time I go to Hajj or Umrah I return to my homeland extremely sick with a very harsh case of flu, although I always take the influenza vaccination before traveling. Shall I stop taking vaccinations? And what makes it ineffective that way?

Taking the vaccination is totally a personal choice and its effectiveness is also a personal reaction no one can predict. You have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages and decide for yourself.

Common cold and influenza are caused by more than 200 different viruses that cause various degrees of upper respiratory tract infections. These viruses have the ability to readily mutate (i.e. alter their genetic makeup) constantly creating new strains that pose new challenge on our immune system and make permanent immunity against flu impossible.

Influenza vaccines deliver inactivated (i.e. containing dead viruses) or attenuated (i.e. containing weakened viruses) dose of influenza viruses. The shot is aimed at boosting our body’s immune system to synthesize the required antibodies for fighting against the upcoming flu. The problem is, among those hundreds of strains of flu viruses, only three could be included in the vaccine shot.

Pharmaceutical companies have to take a calculated ‘guess’ on the most possible ones to appear in the flu season. And, since the vaccines need around 11 months from development till they reach the consumers, and given the fact that the flu viruses have a tremendous ability to readily mutate into new strains, we cannot be certain that these are the right three strains any more.

Again, as I told you, vaccination remains your personal choice although, I have to mention that it is highly recommended by the WHO and CDC.

Personally, I did not take the vaccine when I performed hajj, neither did my husband on his 2 pilgrimages or any of his Omra trips. In some of those, we caught bad flu that managed to take its course and heal alhamdullah but did not stop us from continuing our rituals, and in other cases, we did not fall ill, alhamdullah.

So, it is totally up to you to decide which course to take. Just in any case follow all preventive and immune boosting measures you can (refer to question 3). And remember our Prophet’s saying:

“”No fatigue, no disease, no sorrow, no sadness, no hurt, no distress befalls a Muslim, even if it was the prick he received from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for it” (Bukhari & Muslim). So, even your flu bout, if any, won’t go in vain in shaa Allah.

• What is the suitable age to perform Hajj rituals?

As Allah told us, performing hajj starts to be an obligation on every Muslim at the age of puberty if he/she is capable (financially, physically and psychologically). So, due to its physically demanding rituals, it is best to perform it when we are still young and fit.

There is no specific age of course, but I guess the age of twenties and thirties seem to be the best choice as during that time we are grown up yet young enough to withstand the physical and emotional stress and of course understand, heed, enjoy and cherish the spiritual benefits.

Still, I have to say here that I have met many people in their forties and fifties healthier and more fit than their younger counterparts. So, in the end, the health and vitality is the best determinant rather than the age.

• What is the maximum number of hours or minutes I could stay outdoor under the direct sun?

This largely varies according to the temperature and according to your body’s personal ability. My advice is to stay in the shade whenever possible, wear a sun block (I prefer a physical sun block not a chemical one), sunglasses, and carry an umbrella in the area where shade is not an option.

Most importantly, listen to your body, and don’t ignore any early signs of dizziness, headache, drowsiness or fatigue. Drink plenty of fluid, water is the best hydrating liquid of course, so carry with you a small bottle of water at all time. And, avoid prolong exposure to the sun.

• Thank god I took the meningitis vaccine. But I need to know what could cause its infection for me during rituals and what are the side effects of its vaccine as my friends made me afraid of it.

Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It is a very serious disease, yet it is not highly contagious, alhamdullelah. Both viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis can be spread through direct contact with nose and throat secretions that’s why personal hygiene is extremely important especially in crowded places like during hajj.

Meningococcal vaccine has been there for a long time now, and has proven to be relatively safe. Like any medicine, of course, it may have some side effects, but has not shown to cause any serious harm. The rare side effects include symptoms appearing directly following the vaccination like jerking or seizure-like movements.

These usually subside by rest for 15-20 minutes after the shot. Some people getting the vaccine could show redness or pain at the injection area which usually disappear within 1 or 2 days. In very rare cases, allergic reaction has been reported directly after the shot and this should be dealt with by the physician giving the vaccination.