Dr. Nisreen Al-Sherbini, an infectious diseases consultant, has said, all the Hajj rituals need to take necessary health precautions, such as cutting the hair or shaving during or after the completion of Sa'I and before the end of Ihram, noting that a number of pilgrims who have their hair cut use contaminated or used razors. Therefore, many viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS may potentially be transmitted by the blood contaminating these razors from an infected person to a healthy person.
In an interview at the Media Information and Health Awareness Center, through the toll-free number 8002494444, provided as part of the service dubbed: (Pilgrims' Health is our Concern), which has been launched by the Ministry of Health for the seventh consecutive year, Dr. Nisreen Al-Sherbini advised the pilgrims to bring their personal shaving tools and avoid using any razor, normal and electric alike, in case it had been formerly used, stressing that each barber should wash his hands with soap and water before shaving.
Dr. Nisreen pointed out, if there are not new blades for each shaving, all tools should be cleansed by any of the known disinfectants and antiseptics that are not used previously because all disinfectants lose much of their effectiveness against microbes with frequent use, underscoring the importance of sterilizing these tools by small ray machine, if possible.
Dr. Nisreen Al-Sherbini called upon people not to throw garbage, such as shaving razors, on the ground as they may cause injury to the pilgrims' feet and others and may transmit infectious diseases that can be easily avoided, if proper cultural methods of prevention are taken. She also called upon barbers to recognize the seriousness of their profession and the health problems that can be caused by them for pilgrims.
She said, on the other hand, that the shaving razors are not the only health problem, but there are many infectious diseases can be spread by other means during the Hajj season, pointing out that although the rigorous health requirements that are issued by the Ministry of Health for the prevention of some diseases that may spread in the seasons of congestion like Hajj seasons, but the pilgrims' awareness of the proper means of prevention is a key procedure to protect their physical health.
She said, the infected person should not share his personal tools with anyone especially tooth brush, razor, nail tools and the other things that may contain a volume of blood, pointed out that every hepatitis B patient should inform his doctor and others who are concerned with his health to take the necessary precautions.
Dr. Nisreen Al-Sherbini, infectious diseases consultant concluded by giving infected people some advises, including: 1) refraining from donating blood, 2) cleaning up blood or other bodily fluids with a detergent and water, and cleaning the wound with a disinfectant, 3) disposing of any material contaminated with blood such as fillings, dressings, needles, broken glass, and dental floss by placing them in a plastic container and then throwing them into the waste, 4) putting blood-contaminated sharps in proper container, and healing all wounds and sores, calling on God to make the Hajj season this year free of infectious diseases, and to inspire pilgrims to adhere to the health directives during the Hajj period. He, exalted and glorify be He, listens and responds.