How caregivers can manage heatwave
Published on: Monday, May 08, 2023
By:
FMT, Tsubasa Nair
The heat wave in Malaysia is expected to last until mid-July. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Soaring temperatures have been felt across Malaysia, with health and education officials calling for greater care to be taken during the heatwave, expected to last until July.
The health ministry said there had been several cases of illnesses related to the hot weather, including the death of an 11-year-old boy in Kelantan last month as a result of heatstroke and severe dehydration.
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FMT spoke to doctors about what parents and caregivers should know and what they can do if their children are exhibiting symptoms.
Existing health conditions
Any condition can influence how badly they are affected by the heat, but also cause confusion if there are overlapping symptoms.
On May 1, a 12-year-old died in Kluang, Johor, later confirmed as secondary septic shock after it was feared he had suffered a heat- stroke.
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Public health expert Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said conditions such as sepsis could present symptoms similar to those induced by heatstroke. A high fever is among such symptoms.
She said although the boy’s death was not because of a heatstroke, his ailment was made worse by the heat.
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Who is most at risk?
Sharifa Ezat said those with respiratory or heart diseases and disabilities such as Down Syndrome were at increased risk, as were young children and the elderly, who “might not be able to converse or convey messages properly” leading to their symptoms being neglected.
Malaysian Paediatric Association president Dr Selva Kumar agreed that the geriatric population, especially those in care institutions, were more likely to suffer from heatstroke.
What to watch out for
Sharifa Ezat said parents and caregivers should be on the lookout for symptoms like a lack of appetite, sore throats, loose stools and high body temperatures.
“If their temperature is above 37.5 Celsius for a sustained period and it keeps increasing, then you should seek professional help.”
She said it was important for vulnerable groups to stay hydrated but avoid sugary drinks and caffeine, as these would cause someone to urinate more and further dehydrate themselves.
“Use cold water sponges on children to lower their temperature,” she said.
Putrajaya’s response so far
On April 28, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Cabinet needed to discuss whether extending school holidays was necessary in view of the heat wave.
On May 5, the education ministry ordered a stop to all outdoor activities, including cross-country running, Utusan Malaysia reported. “We want the studies to be fully conducted inside the classrooms,” health minister Fadhlina Sidek was quoted as saying.
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