Expat Living Singapore – July 2019

HEALTH & FITNESS

142 JULY 2019

WHAT’S NEW

Q

At what point should I seek medical help

for my child’s fever?

Although we as parents will always be concerned

when our child runs a fever, fevers should be

considered part of the body’s natural immune

response to infection. I generally advise parents to

treat fevers of 38 degrees Celsius and above at home

with an age-appropriate dose of Paracetamol or

Ibuprofen syrup, and sponging with tepid water; a

gentle breeze from a fan is enough to cool the body

in most cases. Infants less than six months of age

should be seen by a doctor immediately if they have

a fever. Older children should be seen if the fever has

gone on for five days, if they are lethargic even when

the fever is on a downswing, or if they have severely

reduced fluid intake, possibly causing dehydration.

At the end of the day, even if the fever is mild and

your child is happily playing, don’t hesitate to bring

your child to see a doctor if you have any concerns.

Complete Healthcare International

#10-01 Shaw House, 350 Orchard Road

6776 2288 | chi-health.com.sg

Occupational Hazard

“Burnout” is now recognised as a legitimate workplace

syndrome by the World Health Organisation (WHO),

having just been reclassified in the organisation’s

ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases) –

the handbook that helps medical providers diagnose

diseases. Though burnout was included in the

previous edition, the definition has been revised

to provide more clarity around an emerging and

misunderstood health issue in our modern-day, career-

driven society, and help the global medical community

to differentiate the syndrome from other mental health

conditions such as depression.

Dr Dex Khor

Health Help

Characterised by feelings of energy depletion

or exhaustion, increased mental distance from or

feelings of cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced

professional efficacy, burnout is now defined by

WHO as “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting

from chronic workplace stress that has not been

successfully managed.” According to WHO’s research,

the “occupational phenomenon” – not to be confused

with a medical condition – occurs when the demands

of a job far outweigh the rewards, recognition and

vacation time, which is particularly relevant in a time

where employees feel the need to be attached to their

phones at all hours, even on their days off. While some

critics may claim that the term is more of an excuse

for laziness among millennials, the new classification

plays a role in helping to support people who need

medical assistance to deal with their burnout.