Respiratory tract infection during Hajj

Respiratory tract infection during Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is a common illness, and it is responsible for most of the hospital admissions. Influenza virus is the leading cause of upper respiratory tract infection during Hajj, and pneumonia can be serious. Taking into account the close contacts am...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Alzeer Abdulaziz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2009-01-01
Series:Annals of Thoracic Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.thoracicmedicine.org/article.asp?issn=1817-1737;year=2009;volume=4;issue=2;spage=50;epage=53;aulast=Alzeer
Description
Summary:Respiratory tract infection during Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is a common illness, and it is responsible for most of the hospital admissions. Influenza virus is the leading cause of upper respiratory tract infection during Hajj, and pneumonia can be serious. Taking into account the close contacts among the pilgrims, as well as the crowding, the potential for transmission of <i> M. tuberculosis</i> is expected to be high. These pilgrims can be a source for spreading infection on their return home. Although vaccination program for influenza is implemented, its efficacy is uncertain in this religious season. Future studies should concentrate on prevention and mitigation of these infections.
ISSN:1817-1737
1998-3557