09/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 9, 2025

HEALTH 26

Key facts, prevention tips for HFMD o Alarming surge in cases across Malaysia underscore need for vigilance, preventative measures including good hygiene

A S children return to school after their holidays, parents and caregivers should remain extra cautious as the recent surge in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases reported nationwide underscores the importance of remaining vigilant of the warning signs associated with the illness. Though it is common during this time of the year, the current scale of transmission is alarming, necessitating heightened awareness and preventive measures. There is a rise in hospital referrals, concerned parental inquiries and requests for guidance from preschools and kindergartens on outbreak management. Understanding HFMD HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection predominantly affecting children under five. The illness typically presents with: 0 Fever 0 Sore throat 0 Reduced appetite 0 Painful oral ulcers 0 Rash on the hands, feet and occasionally buttocks Most cases are mild, with recovery within seven to 10 days. However, a small number of cases, usually linked to the EV71 virus strain, may lead to complications such as: 0 Viral meningitis 0 Encephalitis (brain inflammation) 0 Cardiopulmonary complications We all have those moments of extreme lethargy when we wake up and all we want to do is stay snuggled up in bed for hours. Gen Z has even turned it into a social media trend known as“bed rotting”. But if getting out of bed becomes a daily struggle or is associated with chronic fatigue, this difficulty can become worrying and, in some cases, even a sign of depression. But endlessly putting off going to bed could be a cause for concern too, especially among young people, according to a new study published in the journal Sleep and presented at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in the US. The study looked at a group of 390 young adults with an average age of 24. Participants were asked to keep a sleep diary for 14 days and fill out several questionnaires to better understand their emotions and determine their chronotype, a term used to describe whether someone is more of a“morning person” or a “night owl”. The aim was to assess their procrastination at bedtime, which is delaying going to sleep without this being related to external obligations or constraints (such as RECENT US research suggests that habitually putting off bedtime may be associated with negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. The study focused on people living in the US with an average age of 24.

The good news is that these complications remain very rare. Current outbreak situation According to the Health Ministry, HFMD cases saw a 266% increase in infections compared to the same period last year. The number of HFMD cases in Malaysia has risen to 99,601 as of the 17th epidemiological week this year, compared to 27,236 cases during the same period last year. No fatalities were reported linked to the disease. The ministry said 10,421 cases this year or 10% were outbreak-related, while 90% or 89,180 cases occurred sporadically. Prevention tips for parents, schools Since there is no specific treatment for HFMD, prevention and comfort care are essential. The measures to be taken into consideration are: 1. Keep sick children at home 0 Children with HFMD should remain at home until all blisters have dried and they are fever-free for at least 24 hours. 0 This is the most effective way to stop the virus from spreading. 0 Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap, especially after using the toilet and before eating. 0 Disinfect toys and surfaces regularly with chlorine-based or antiviral disinfectants. 3. Avoid high-risk areas working late or being away from home). Although delaying going to bed can be explained by other factors, such as poor time management or a lack of self-discipline, the survey results suggest that it may also be associated with recurrent anxiety or even depressive tendencies. The responses of volunteers with a strong tendency to procrastinate at bedtime reflect a higher level of neuroticism (a tendency to experience negative emotions) as well as lower levels of conscientiousness and extraversion. “Our study demonstrated that individuals who habitually procrastinate their bedtime were actually less likely to report seeking out exciting, engaging or enjoyable activities,” said lead author Steven Carlson, a doctoral candidate in the psychology department at University of Utah in Salt Lake City, quoted in a statement. In light of these findings, the researcher suggests exploring emotional health as a potential target for interventions aimed at addressing the widespread problem of bedtime procrastination. “Given the ubiquity of this behaviour and its impact on sleep health, we hope to extend this research to determine whether reducing negative emotions prior to bedtime can be an effective treatment for bedtime procrastination,“ the researcher said. 0 Handwashing is critical. 2. Practice good hygiene

Teaching children to wash their hands with soap is essential to curbing HFMD cases.

remain vigilant – not just in hospitals, but as a community. We are monitoring the situation closely. Paediatric teams, nurses and the infection control unit are working hand-in-hand to support parents and manage cases safely and efficiently. By staying informed and adopting preventive measures, we can collectively reduce transmission and safeguard our children’s health. This article is contributed by Sunway Medical Centre paediatric infectious disease consultant Dr Ch’ng Tong Wei.

exhibits symptoms such as: 0 Refusal to eat or drink (risk of dehydration) 0 High fever (above 39°C) lasting more than two days 0 Lethargy, irritability or altered consciousness Severe cases may require hospitalisation for intravenous hydration, antipyretics and close neurological monitoring. Curbing HFMD outbreak is shared responsibility The recent rise in cases across Selangor, Johor, Perak and other states is a reminder that we must

during outbreaks 0 Temporarily limit visits to playgrounds, childcare centres or crowded spaces during outbreaks where transmissions are more likely. 0 Avoid sharing utensils, towels or personal items. 4. Provide comfort care for infected children 0 Offer soft foods, cool drinks and administer paracetamol if needed for fever or pain. Seeking medical attention Most children recover without complications, but consulting a doctor is paramount if the child

Advancing adult congenital heart care PANTAI Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) recently saw the successful transcatheter device occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in an adult patient with congenital heart disease – a first for the hospital’s Interventional Cardiology Laboratory. multidisciplinary cardiac team. A detailed transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed a single tiny VSD that did not require immediate surgical repair, allowing the team to opt for a less invasive, catheter-based approach. cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Siti Laura. This successful procedure highlights PHKL’s expanding capabilities in adult congenital heart care, a specialised and growing field that requires

Bedtime procrastination could be sign of anxiety, depression

collaborative planning and tailored interventions. It also reflects the hospital delivering innovative, minimally invasive solutions for structural heart conditions in adults – a group often underrepresented in congenital cardiac care.

“By opting for a minimally invasive PDA device occlusion, we were able to offer the patient a faster recovery, smaller incision and significantly reduced scarring,” said PHKL consultant paediatric

The patient, who was initially referred for open-heart surgery involving PDA ligation and ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure, was evaluated by PHKL’s

The interventional paediatric cardiologist is performing an aortogram to measure the size of the PDA.