2022 Archives - Illawarra Medical Centre

Staying healthy over the holidays

walrus — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 07:23:14 +0000

As we head towards Christmas and New Year and gatherings with friends and family, it’s important to continue to look after your health to ensure everyone can enjoy a happy, healthy festive season. In this month’s blog, we give some tips on how you can best look after your health over the holidays.

Limit Alcohol

Alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle, when used in moderation and in conjunction with a good diet and regular exercise. However, if you consume too much alcohol, it can have a serious impact on your physical health in both the short-term and long-term.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol at any one time can cause confusion, blurred vision, clumsiness, memory loss, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even coma or death.

Not only that, but drinking too much alcohol in the short-term can also lead to:

Accidental injury to yourself and/or others
Being in a road accident
Deliberately harming yourself or others
Unprotected or unwanted sex
Alcohol poisoning
Hangovers

During the festive season, try to keep track of how much you’re drinking and make sure you drink water between each alcoholic beverage to help combat dehydration and reduce the amount of alcohol you may consume. If you do go out and plan to drink, make sure you plan not to drive.

Avoid Overindulging

Christmas time is filled with an abundance of delicious goodies, from traditional roast meats to chocolate treats, leftovers and never-ending snacks. It can be tempting to want to eat everything on offer but if you want to be kind to your health, try practicing portion control and be selective in what you do treat yourself to.

Mindful eating can also help prevent you eating more than you normally would. Try to be conscious of what you are eating and avoid non-stop grazing throughout the day, to help avoid overeating

We know that what you eat can affect your overall health and wellbeing, so try and incorporate plenty of nutrient-rich whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, into your festive diet, which we know are good for your whole body.

Keep Stress at Bay

The end of the year and the lead up to Christmas can be a stressful time for many – with increased demands on our time and our wallets.

Stress triggers numerous physiological responses within the body and can impact our nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, muscular and immune systems.

Try to help keep the stress at bay over Christmas, and reduce its impact on your health, by:

Planning ways to reduce spending at this time of year and finding low-cost ways to have fun. Rather than buying gifts for everyone in the family, why not suggest a Secret Santa. And instead of going out for cocktails with friends, suggest a picnic in the park instead, where everyone can bring a plate.
Picking and choosing which social events you do want to attend and giving yourself some downtime in between to reset and recoup. Remember that you don’t have to say yes to every invitation!
Staying healthy by eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep.

Exercise

While it’s easy to get out of our regular routine during the holidays, try to keep up with some form of exercise. Regular exercise is an essential part of maintaining good whole-body health and ensures your body has the necessary nutrients available to keep you feeling your healthy best.

In addition, exercise can help to reduce stress by decreasing the body’s elevated hormonal and immune responses to stress.

Get up-to-date with vaccinations

While you might be taking a break over the holidays, viruses and illnesses certainly won’t be!

There are plenty of viruses currently doing the rounds, including COVID-19, meningococcal and measles. Vaccination remains the best way to keep yourself, your family and the wider community protected, so make sure you are up-to-date with all your recommended vaccinations.

Vaccination is also an important consideration for those heading overseas during the holidays, to help protect you against any diseases you may be exposed to on your travels. It’s best to see your doctor at least 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. This will allow you enough time to get any vaccinations that require more than one dose and for the vaccines to start working before you leave.

Your doctor can also provide you with a comprehensive consultation on your health needs while travelling, based on your individual circumstances. As different countries have different laws regarding medicines that can be taken in and out, your GP will be able to advise you on how to pack and prepare any medications you need to take with you.

The holidays are also a great time to get the kids up-to-date with their scheduled immunisations before heading back to school in the new year. All schools in Western Australia have immunisation requirements for enrolment, so make sure you check with your school as to what their immunisation requirements are before the start of the new school year.

Keep your cool in the heat

The festive season often coincides with the start of the summer heat. It’s important to look after yourself and others in hot weather by:

Drinking plenty of fluids – especially water – throughout the day.
Avoiding alcohol and caffeine, as these can increase dehydration.
Staying indoors with a fan or air-conditioner.
Limiting the time spent outdoors. If you do go out, try to go early morning or late evening, stay in the shade and wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for protection.
Wearing light coloured, loose fitted clothing.
Cooling your house by keeping curtains, blinds and windows closed during the day.
Keeping food safe by properly storing and defrosting it.
Checking on elderly friends, neighbours and relatives to make sure they are slot gacor ok and are keeping hydrated and cool.
If you have pets, do not leave them alone in a car and ensure they have water and plenty of shade available when they are outside.

Book in for your annual skin check

The hot weather is also a good reminder about the importance of getting regular skin cancer checks. Getting a regular skin check is one of the best ways to detect skin cancer early.

Illawarra Medical Centre offers a comprehensive range of dermatology services, including skin cancer checks, mole screening and general dermatology screenings.

If you have any health conditions that mean you are at greater risk of heat-related illness or concerns about your health in general, book in with one of our GPs to discuss your concerns.

Appointments can be made online or by contacting us directly on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Alcohol Think Again – https://alcoholthinkagain.com.au/alcohol-your-health/
Australian Department of Health and Aged Care – https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation
Australian Department of Health and Aged Care – https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise
Eat for Health – https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Heat-health-advice?fbclid=IwAR0Puf4bUM12TwWD3rfY4e2Qy53sAb4ExPtVszCgJbIdJGlXmEI78eDnGzU
Reach Out – https://au.reachout.com/articles/what-stress-does-to-the-body

The post Staying healthy over the holidays appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Meningococcal B cases on the rise

walrus — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 01:58:41 +0000

Meningococcal is a serious infection that can cause severe scarring, loss of limbs, brain damage and death. With cases of meningococcal B on the rise in Australia this year, it’s an important reminder for us all to keep up-to-date with our vaccinations, particularly those who are at most risk. In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the disease.

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is the result of a bacterial infection of the blood and/or membranes that line the spinal cord and brain.

The most common strains that are responsible for cases of infection are A, B, C, W, and Y and vaccinations for all these strains of the disease are available in Australia.

While the disease is relatively uncommon, and most people will recover completely with early antibiotic treatment, it can spread rapidly and become life-threatening for those infected.

Up to 10 per cent of cases result in a long-term disability, such as a loss of a limb or neurological damage and, in very rare cases, if left untreated, can result in death.

Meningococcal in Western Australia

There have been an increasing number of cases of meningococcal disease reported in Western Australia this year, particularly for the B strain of the disease.

What are the symptoms?

One of the tricky things about meningococcal is that it can appear in different forms, depending on which part of the body the bacteria invade (meningitis– affecting the brain and spinal cord; and septicaemia– affecting the blood; or a combination of both).

People can also experience different symptoms.

In general, some of the most common symptoms experienced include:

Fever
Headache
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Neck stiffness
Muscle or joint pains
Drowsiness or confusion
Fatigue
Sensitivity to light
Convulsions
Rapid breathing or panting
Cold hands and feet

In the later stages of the disease, a pinprick or purple bruise-like rash can develop. It is important to get this type of rash checked immediately by your doctor or emergency department.

Meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics and the earlier the treatment commences, the better the chance of making a full recovery.

Who is at risk?

While up to one-fifth of people carry meningococcal bacteria in the back of their nose and throat, only a small number of people will develop an infection from the meningococcal bacteria.

Those at greatest risk of contracting the disease include babies and children up to the age of 5 (due to their developing immune systems and tendency to put things in their mouths and share toys, food and drinks) and those in the 15-24 year age bracket (due to their social lifestyle, which generally includes more intimate activities toto jitu such as kissing and sharing drinks).

Others at risk include those with a recent or current viral respiratory infection, smokers, those living in crowded living conditions and those with a weakened immune system.

Preventing meningococcal

While practising good hygiene can help prevent against the disease, vaccination remains the best way to protect against meningococcal. Unfortunately, there is no single vaccine available to protect against all strains of the disease; however, there are different vaccines available to help protect against the most common strains – A, B, C, W and Y.

Vaccination against meningococcal B is strongly recommended for:

Infants and young children aged 2 or under
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 2-19 years old
Healthy adolescents aged 15-19 years old
Adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years old, living in close quarters or who are current smokers
People with certain medical conditions
Travellers
Laboratory workers who frequently handle Neisseria meningitides

Meningococcal B vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 2 months, 4 months, 6 months (certain medical conditions) and 12 months.
People of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia, complement deficiency and those receiving treatment with eculizumab.

Others can get the vaccine through private prescription from their GP.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:

children aged 12 months
adolescents aged 14-16 years through school-based vaccination programs.
People of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia, complement deficiency and those receiving treatment with eculizumab.

Book in for your vaccine at IMC

We regularly stock vaccines for all meningococcal strains at Illawarra Medical Centre. To book in for your vaccination, make an appointment online or phone us on (08) 9208 6400.

If you have any concerns or questions, book in with your GP to discuss.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health – https://campaigns.health.gov.au/immunisationfacts/meningococcal
GSK – https://au.gsk.com/en-au/products/vaccines/bexsero/
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Meningococcal-disease
Meningococcal Australia – http://www.meningococcal.org.au
Meningitis Centre Australia – https://www.meningitis.com.au
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance – https://ncirs.org.au/updated-fact-sheets-meningococcal-vaccines-australians-and-meningococcal-vaccines-faqs

The post Meningococcal B cases on the rise appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Osteoporosis

walrus — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 05:50:36 +0000

Osteoporosis is a chronic health disease affecting close to two million Australians, with females aged 70 and over and with a family history of the disease most at risk.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the symptoms, risk factors, prevention and treatment options for the disease.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals more quickly than the body can replace them. This leads to a loss of bone thickness (or density) and can make your bones more likely to break from minor injuries or falls.

While loss of bone minerals is a normal part of ageing for everyone, those with the disease have bones that are more porous and full of holes, and therefore likely to fracture more easily.

In some cases of osteoporosis, even a simple sneeze can break a bone!

Any bone in the body can be affected by the disease, however the most common are the:

Hip
Spine
Wrist
Ribs
Pelvis
Upper Arm

What are the symptoms?

Osteoporosis has no symptoms. In most cases, a fracture is often the first sign of the disease.

Some noticeable signs that may indicate osteoporosis include:

a gradual loss of height;
back pain; or
a bone fracture from a minor knock to your limbs or a fall.

Risk factors for Osteoporosis

While there are no specific symptoms for the disease, there are a number of known risk factors. These include:

Age – those aged 70 years and over are at greater risk of the disease.
Gender – osteoporosis is more common in women. Those who experience early menopause are at even greater risk of developing the disease.
Family History – your risk increases if either of your parents or a close relative had osteoporosis.
Previous Fracture – if you have had a previous low trauma fracture, you are more likely to experience another fracture within 5-10 years after your first fracture. In fact, the risk doubles if you are female and is three to four times more likely to occur if you are male.
Falls – if you are prone to falls, then you are more likely to experience a fall that results in a fracture. Exercises that build muscle strength and balance are a good way to help prevent falls.
Medication – certain long-term medications can increase your risk of osteoporosis. These include prednisone and thyroid hormone replacement medications. If you do take these over the long term, your doctor may recommend bone density tests to monitor your bones and risk of developing osteoporosis.

To check your risk of developing osteoporosis, use the online “Know Your Bones” assessment tool created by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Preventing Osteoporosis

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent the disease. These include:

Giving up smoking, if you’re a smoker.
Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.
Making sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet. Calcium is one of the main building blocks of bones.
Getting out in the sunshine for your Vitamin D fix, to help your body better absorb calcium.

Reducing your alcohol intake.
Keeping physically active and including bone strengthening exercises (such as brisk walking or strength training) in your weekly routine, to help fragile bones heal and become denser and stronger.
Working on your balance with balance training, to help improve your overall stability.

This useful guide from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research provides a good overview of the risk factors for osteoporosis and how to prevent developing the disease>>

How is it diagnosed?

Osteoporosis is generally diagnosed through a bone mineral density test, combined with a look at your medical history and a physical examination by your doctor.

A bone density test involves a special x-ray which that assigns you a T-score and compares your bone density to the expected density for a healthy adult of your own age, gender and ethnicity.

If your T-score is -2.5 or less, this usually akun demo slot indicates you have osteoporosis.

Treatment

While there is no cure for osteoporosis, it can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment for you based on your age, sex, and medical history.

Treating the disease early will give you the best chance of avoiding broken bones as you get older.

If you have any concerns about your bone health, make a booking with one of our GPs. Appointments can be made online through our Online Bookings page or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

We also have appointments available with our in-house specialist endocrinologist – Dr Imran Badshah – with a referral from your GP. Dr Badshah consults on all aspects of endocrinology, including osteoporosis.

Where can I find out more information?

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoporosis/contents/what-is-osteoporosis
Garvan Institute of Medical Research – https://www.garvan.org.au/research/diseases/osteoporosis
Healthy Bones Australia – https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/osteoporosis
HealthyWA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Osteoporosis
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health – https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bone-health
Know Your Bones Assessment Tool – https://start.knowyourbones.org.au/home

The post Osteoporosis appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Prostate cancer in Australian men

walrus — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 02:38:28 +0000

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with more than 240,000 Australian males currently impacted by the disease and another 66 men diagnosed each day.

With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we thought we’d take a closer look at the disease in this month’s blog.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate gland develop more quickly than in a normal prostate, forming a malignant tumour.

The prostate is a small gland that is about the size of a walnut and sits below the bladder near the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the passage of the penis through which urine and semen pass.

Only men have a prostate and it forms part of the male reproductive system. It produces some of the nutrients that sperm need once they leave the body and secretions from the prostate make up a large part of semen.

It is generally a slow growing disease and has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers. Those diagnosed with the disease have a 95% chance of survival beyond 5 years, when detected early. If found late, however, those survival rates drop to below 26%.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

In the early stages, there are rarely symptoms. In later stages of the disease, some symptoms may include:

frequent urination, particularly at night;
a delay in starting when wanting to urinate;
a weak stream when urinating;
dribbling at the end of urinating;
a lack of bladder control (incontinence);
pain when urinating or ejaculating;
blood in the urine or semen; and
bone pain, particularly in the lower back or pelvis.

These symptoms may not mean that you have cancer. However, if you do experience any of these symptoms, it is best to speak with your GP immediately to find out why they may be occurring.

Risk factors of prostate cancer

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease. These include:

Family History – a family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer increases your own risk of developing the disease, particularly if your father or brother developed prostate cancer at a young age. If this is you, make sure you speak to your doctor about getting a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test at 45 years of age.

Race – those of African and Caribbean descent are at slightly more risk of developing the disease. If this applies slot hoki to you, it is recommended you speak to your doctor about getting a PSA blood test at 45 years of age.

Diet and Lifestyle – while there is no direct evidence to suggest diet and lifestyle increase your risk of developing the disease, it is still recommended that you maintain a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, remain physically active and minimise alcohol consumption to improve your overall health.

Age – this is the main risk factor and your risk increases rapidly after 50 years of age. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases to 1 in 7 by the age of 75 and 1 in 5 by the age of 85. The disease is uncommon in men under 50.

How is it diagnosed?

There is no simple, single test to detect the disease. If your doctor suspects you may have prostate cancer, they will generally recommend you undergo one or more of the following tests:

Digital Rectal Examination. This involves your doctor inserting a gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate to tell if it is enlarged or not.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test. This measures the PSA levels in your blood. Most of the PSA in your body is made by the prostate. When the prostate is damaged, PSA leaks into the blood. PSA levels can be variable and an elevated PSA level does not mean you have prostate cancer. In fact, some men with prostate cancer have normal PSA levels and only one in three men with elevated PSA levels has cancer.
Prostate Biopsy. A biopsy is the only way a firm diagnosis of prostate cancer can be made. It involves removing small samples of tissue from your prostate using very thin, hollow needles, guided by an ultrasound. The tissue is then sent to a pathologist to determine whether the cells are malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). It will also help determine the aggressiveness of the disease, if present.

How is it treated?

There are a number of different treatment options available, depending on your prognosis and the progression and growth of the disease.

Treatment options generally include:

Active surveillance
Prostatectomy
Radiotherapy
Hormone therapy
Chemotherapy

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor will discuss the treatment options available to you and recommend the best course of action.

To make a booking with one of our GPs to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your prostate or overall health in general, visit our Online Bookings page or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

Where can I find out more information?

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Cancer Research Foundation – https://www.acrf.com.au/
Cancer Council – https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/prostate-cancer
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/prostate-cancer
HealthyWA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Prostate-cancer
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – https://www.pcfa.org.au/askpcfa/

The post Prostate cancer in Australian men appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Monkeypox

walrus — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 07:54:00 +0000

Monkeypox has come to the world’s attention in recent months, with increasing numbers being seen globally. The virus has even made its way into Western Australia, with the first case reported in a returned traveller on the 4^th August.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at monkeypox to find out who’s most at risk and how you can prevent catching the disease.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is not a new virus. It was first discovered in 1958 in colonies of monkeys kept for research in Africa, hence the name ‘monkeypox’.

While it is a viral zoonotic disease, which means it can spread between animals and humans, the virus doesn’t actually come from monkeys. In fact, it is more commonly spread via rodents.

Monkeypox is from the same family of viruses as the variole virus, which causes smallpox.

The first human case of the disease was identified in 1970 and occurs most commonly in the tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa. It has previously been found in other countries, mostly in those who have travelled to these regions.

In May of this year, we started to see a global increase in monkeypox infections in countries where the illness is not usually present, including here in Australia. As such, the World Health Organization recently declared the virus a public health emergency of international concern.

This video from the World Health Organization helps easily explain the current global situation with monkeypox>>

Common symptoms

Symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and include:

a distinctive rash, lesions (bumps that turn into pimples, blisters or sores, and may burst to form ulcers or scabs)
swollen lymph nodes
fever
headache
muscle aches
joint pain
back pain
chills
exhaustion

The distinctive rash can appear as lesions of various size and number. They look similar to the blisters associated with chickenpox, but are generally larger and can burst to form ulcers or scabs.

The rash, which can be very painful, generally starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, including hands, feet, and chest. Some people have also reported the rash appearing in the genital and perianal regions, without spreading to other areas of the body.

While the disease can be serious and cause some people to become very ill, most people slot luar negeri will find their symptoms clear up on their own after 2 to 4 weeks.

If you do develop monkeypox and experience any of the following symptoms, please seek medical help immediately:

your rash becomes very painful and/or gets infected
your fever, nausea or vomiting gets worse
you can’t eat or drink
you have difficulty breathing or feel dizzy and confused

How do you get monkeypox?

Monkeypox is spread from person to person through:

close contact with rashes, blisters or sores on the skin
body fluids, including respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
contaminated objects such as linen and towels.

The virus can also be transmitted in pregnancy, via the placenta to the foetus.

While it is not regarded as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can be easily transmitted through sexual activity involving physical contact with the infectious skin rashes, blisters and sores.

It is recommended that people who have recovered from the virus continue to use condoms and protection when engaging in sexual activity for 8 weeks after recovery.

Respiratory transmission of the disease is less common and usually only occurs when there is prolonged face-to-face contact.

Risk factors

Those at greatest risk of contracting the virus include people who have had close physical contact with an infected person and Australian travellers returning from, or going to, countries with confirmed cases.

Young children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people are also at higher risk of severe disease with monkeypox.

If you are in one of these high-risk groups and develop symptoms, please seek medical help straight away.

Prevention

To help prevent the spread of monkeypox, you should:

isolate from others, if positive, until all sores are fully cleared
avoid physical contact with infected persons, including linen, towels and other household items they may have been in contact with
keep up the hand hygiene by regularly washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand sanitiser
wear a mask if infected or in close contact with a positive case.

There is a vaccine available for monkeypox, however, these are currently in limited supply. As noted by the WA Health Department, Western Australia is working to secure supplies for those at highest risk of contracting monkeypox.

At this stage, widespread vaccination is not recommended, due to the low risk of infection for the general population.

Treatment

Most people will require no treatment for monkeypox and will be able to manage the condition at home with simple pain relief.

For those with more severe disease, there are a number of antivirals available. For more information on these, visit https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/monkeypox-treatment-guidelines.

If you are concerned about any monkeypox symptoms or require any treatment, please make an appointment with one of our GPs. Bookings can be made online or by phoning (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/diseases/monkeypox-mpx
Centres for Disease, Control and Prevention (CDCP) – https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about.html
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/monkeypox
HealthyWA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Monkeypox
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/monkeypox-oubreak-2022

The post Monkeypox appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

COVID Antiviral Treatments

walrus — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:29:45 +0000

COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. In fact, infections in WA are set to peak over the coming weeks. The good news, however, is that there are now life-saving oral antiviral treatments available to help those most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at what treatments are available and how they work.

What are antiviral treatments?

Antivirals are a class of drugs that help the body fight certain viruses that cause disease. They can help prevent severe symptoms developing and reduce transmission. They are already used for a number of illnesses, including influenza, HIV, hepatitis B & C, and some viruses that cause eye infections and warts.

Antivirals can be administered orally or by intravenous drip, injection, eye drops or as topical ointments and creams.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recently approved the use of two oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 – Lagevrio and Paxlovid.

As noted by the Australian Government Department of Health, these treatments have been found to be effective in treating people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who have a high risk of progressing to severe disease, reducing admissions to hospital and ICU and potential death.

How do they work?

Lagevrio, developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme, is based on an antiviral originally developed for influenza. It works by inhibiting replication of the COVID-19 virus. It was the first antiviral approved by the TGA for use in Australia.

This antiviral is taken as four pills every 12 hours for five days; however, it is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also recommended that sexually active men and women use contraception at least 3 months after taking Lagevrio.

Paxlovid, developed by Pfizer, is a three-dose medication that comprises separate tablets of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The nirmatrelvir component blocks the activity of the enzyme needed to replicate the virus, while ritonavir helps to prevent the nirmatrelvir from breaking down in the liver, so that it can work for longer.

This antiviral treatment is also taken twice a day for 5 days and is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those with severely reduced kidney or liver function. It is also important to note that Paxlovid must not be used with a number of commonly used medicines as it can lead to potentially harmful increases in blood levels or reduce its effectiveness.

For maximum benefit, both antivirals must be taken within the first five days of developing symptoms, or as soon as possible after a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for those aged 70 and over.

Are there any side effects?

Both antivirals have reported some side effects in clinical trials.

For Lagevrio, a small number of people reported mild to moderate diarrhoea, dizziness and nausea, while side effects for Paxlovid have included food or drink tasting differently, diarrhoea, headache, nausea and vomiting.

In clinical trials of Paxlovid, it was found to be 89% effective in reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death among people with COVID-19 who were at high risk of severe illness when they were treated within five days of the onset of symptoms. While this trial happened before the Omicron variant, early research from the US does suggest that Paxlovid offers some protection against Omicron for those at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.

Who is eligible?

Not everyone is eligible to receive antiviral treatments for COVID-19. Those who are eligible include people:

aged 70 years and older;
aged 50 years and older, with 2 or more additional risk factors; and
aged 30 and over of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, with 2 or more additional risk factors.

Additional risk factors include:

Living in residential aged care.
Living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty.
Neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome etc.).
Chronic respiratory conditions, including COPD, moderate or severe asthma.
Obesity or diabetes.
Heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies.
Kidney failure or cirrhosis.
Living remotely with reduced access to higher level health care.

Those aged 18 years and over who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may also be eligible for antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

This video from the Australian Government Department of Health provides a good overview of the antiviral treatments available for use in Australia>>

Where can I get antivirals from?

For those who are eligible for the antiviral treatments for COVID-19, you will need to obtain a prescription for them from your GP.

Your doctor should be able to send the pharmacist your prescription electronically so that the antivirals can be delivered to your home or collected by a friend or family member while you isolating with COVID-19.

If you are a patient of Illawarra Medical Centre and have tested positive for COVID-19, and you believe you are eligible for antiviral medications, please phone us on (08) 9208 6400 and let Reception know. We can then book you in for a telephone consultation as soon as possible and assist you where we can.

Protecting yourself against COVID-19

Remember that the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to continue practising the standard COVID-19 health and safety measures that we are all now used to. This includes:

Staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Wearing a mask in all high-risk settings and where social distancing is not possible.
Practicing social distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from others.
Maintaining good personal hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water, using hand sanitiser, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
Staying home if you are unwell and getting tested if you display any COVID-19 symptoms.

For the latest COVID-19 information, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus

If you have any queries or concerns about COVID-19, call the Coronavirus Information Helpline on 1326843.

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms or require antiviral treatments, please make an appointment with one of our GPs. Bookings can be made online or by phoning (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health –
https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/treatments/eligibility
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/medications
HealthyWA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/COVID19-Treatments
NPS Medicinewise – https://www.nps.org.au/coronavirus/antiviral-treatments-for-covid-19

The post COVID Antiviral Treatments appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Long COVID

walrus — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 05:48:27 +0000

More than 30% of the Australian population has now been infected with the COVID-19 virus since the first positive case hit our shores in January 2020.

While recovery from COVID-19 can vary from person to person, most people will recover within in a few weeks. However, we are now seeing more cases of people experiencing what is known as ‘long COVID’, where symptoms continue for weeks or months after first testing positive to the virus.

What is long COVID?

Long COVID occurs when your COVID-19 symptoms don’t seem to go away and continue for a few weeks or more after you are first diagnosed with the virus.

The most common reported symptoms of long COVID include:

tiredness
difficulty breathing
a persistent cough
chest pain
joint pain
not enough energy to exercise
fever
headaches
brain fog – problems with memory and difficulty thinking clearly
depression or anxiety

Although COVID-19 is a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can also damage other organs including the heart, kidneys and brain.

This video from the World Health Organization provides a good overview of long COVID>>

How common is it?

The RACGP notes that the incidence of post-COVID (or long COVID) in those who have tested positive but were able to manage the virus at home, is thought to be between 10-35%. For those admitted to hospital with COVID-19, the incidence of long COVID is thought to be closer to 85%.

Similarly, a 2021 survey of people in the UK found that nearly 10% of the 9,063 survey respondents affected with COVID were still reporting at least one symptom 12 weeks after their initial infection.

Who is at risk?

While the world is still working out the how and why of long COVID, some data suggests that those at higher risk of experiencing long-COVID include people who:

are not vaccinated;
have medical comorbidities (or other pre-existing medical conditions);
experienced severe initial infection; or
develop multi-system inflammatory syndrome as adults or children.

Other research suggests that having diabetes may also increase your risk of developing long COVID.

Long COVID tends to affect middle-aged females more than males, and adults more than children.

However, it appears that long-COVID doesn’t just effect people who were very sick with coronavirus or those with underlying health conditions. A number of healthy, active, high-functioning adults and children are also experiencing new health issues after contracting COVID-19.

Studies have indicated that vaccination with a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can halve the risk of long COVID symptoms in people who do contract COVID-19.

Can you prevent long-COVID?

The best way to prevent long-COVID is to avoid getting COVID-19 in the first place; and the best way to protect yourself and others against the virus in to continue practising the standard COVID-19 health and safety measures that we are all now used to.

This includes:

Staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Wearing a mask in all high-risk settings and where social distancing is not possible.
Practicing social distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from others.
Maintaining good personal hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water, using hand sanitiser, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
Staying home if you are unwell and getting tested if you display any COVID-19 symptoms.

Treatment of long COVID

Unfortunately, there is no one specific treatment available for long-COVID. People will experience different ongoing symptoms. If your symptoms do continue for more than several weeks, however, make sure you see your doctor to discuss how best to manage them.

Many symptoms associated with COVID-19 are similar to other diseases, such as cardiac issues or lung disease, so it’s important to rule these out.

Your GP will be able work with you to help manage any of your ongoing symptoms. They can also advise you of any medicines that may suit your recovery needs and refer you to other medical specialists or allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists etc), if required.

If you experience any of the following symptoms at any stage, please phone 000 and request an ambulance for urgent assistance. Be sure to advise the phone operator that you’ve previously been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Severe or worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Severe chest pain, pressure, or change in heart rate
New or increased confusion
Difficulty waking up or unusual drowsiness

For the latest COVID-19 information, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus.

If you have any queries or concerns about COVID-19, call the Coronavirus Information Helpline on 1326843.

If you are concerned about any ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, please make an appointment with one of our GPs. Bookings can be made online or by phoning (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

American Medical Association – https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-long-covid
Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/news/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-long-covid
Australian Government Department of Health; Long Term Effects of COVID-19 (pdf) – https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/08/covid-19-vaccination-long-term-effects-of-covid-19.pdf
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/post-covid-symptoms-long-covid
John Hopkins Medicine – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-long-haulers-long-term-effects-of-covid19
RACGP – https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/2ae3fcbd-d5b3-4612-b6fb-0d97bf4d3e44/Patient-resource-Managing-post-COVID-19-symptoms.aspx
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

The post Long COVID appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

The link between eczema and food allergies

walrus — Thu, 26 May 2022 05:17:58 +0000

May plays host to both Eczema Awareness Month and Food Allergy Awareness Week, but did you know that eczema and food allergies can be linked, especially in children?

Food allergy occurs in around 5-10% of children and 2-4% of adults in Australia and New Zealand. Eczema affects one in 5 children under 2 years of age. Eczema can also occur in older children and adults but usually improves with age.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at eczema and food allergies and the link between them.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to become red, dry, itchy and scaly. In severe cases, the affected skin may weep, bleed and crust and may become infected.

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis – a chronic, itchy skin condition that generally affects the elbows, knees, hands and face.

While it is very common in children, it can affect people of any age and often occurs in individuals with an existing predisposition to and/or family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever.

Those with eczema carry large numbers of Staphylococcal bugs on their skin. These can make eczema worse by activating the immune cells that cause inflammation of the skin.

As eczema often leads to broken skin, sufferers are at greater risk of contracting skin infections when an outbreak does occur. This can make the eczema worse and treatment more difficult.

Eczema can cause great discomfort for sufferers. It can greatly impact on quality of life, causing sleepless nights due to itching, absenteeism from work, school and other activities, or hospitalisation and costly treatments when severe flare ups occur.

Winter can be a prime time for eczema. You can read more about this in our previous blog – How Winter Impacts on Eczema>>

How is it treated?

While eczema cannot be cured, it can be managed.

The first step is consulting your GP or skin specialist for a formal diagnosis. They will then work with you to develop an individualised treatment plan to best manage your eczema. This will often include a three-pronged approach of:

reducing your exposure to any triggers, where possible;
regularly applying moisturiser to your skin; and
intermittent treatment with topical steroids.

Other key recommendations for managing eczema day-to-day include:

Washing your skin with non-soap cleansers, to help reduce the number of Staphylococcal bugs on your skin. Non-soap cleansers can also maintain important oils that can often be stripped through the use of soap based products.
Moisturising your skin every day to help replace the moisture often lost in winter. This also helps to block out germs that can cause infection. The best time to moisturise is generally after showering, when the skin is still slightly damp. It’s important to use a moisturiser that is suited to your skin.
Keeping showers and baths short and using lukewarm water (no more than 30^oC), as hot water will cause your skin to dry out further.
Wearing soft, breathable fabrics and loose fitted clothing to prevent further skin irritation.
Avoiding the overuse of heaters, as they can dry the air and exacerbate the problem.

What is a food allergy?

According to Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia, a food allergy is “an immune system response to a food protein that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. When the individual eats food containing that protein, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, triggering symptoms that can affect a person’s breathing, gastrointestinal tract, skin and/or heart.”

Food allergy symptoms

Most symptoms of food allergy are mild or moderate and occur within 30 minutes of eating the food. These symptoms may include:

Swelling of the lips, face or eyes.
Skin reactions like redness, hives or eczema.
Tingling or itchy mouth.
Vomiting, stomach pain and/or diarrhoea.
Nasal congestion.

If these symptoms occur, it is best to avoid that food again and to make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

A severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, can happen immediately and symptoms include:

Difficult or noisy breathing.
Swelling of the tongue and throat (e.g. drooling, difficulty swallowing).
A change in voice or cry and/or difficulty vocalising.
A persistent cough, wheezing or stridor.
Collapse or fainting.
Paleness and floppiness (in young children).

Anaphylaxis can be life threatening. Please seek urgent medical assistance for any signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Common food allergies

The most common allergy causing foods are:

Eggs
Peanuts
Tree nuts (such as cashews, pistachios, walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts)
Cow’s milk
Wheat
Fish
Shellfish
Sesame
Soy

Food Allergy Prevention

To help reduce the risk of food allergies developing, the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) recommends introducing solid foods to infants between four to six months of age. It also recommends introducing the common food allergens by 12 months of age.

Delaying the introduction of common allergy causing foods does not prevent food allergy. In fact, research shows that giving your baby the common allergy causing foods before they are one year of age can greatly reduce the risk of them developing an allergy to that food.

Breastfeeding mothers are also encouraged to continue to breastfeed their infant while solid foods are first introduced, to help reduce the risk of food allergies developing.

This video from the Telethon Kids Institute provides some useful tips on ways to prevent food allergies developing in children>>

Even if common allergy causing foods are introduced before one year of age, a small number of children will still develop a food allergy. While there is currently no cure for food allergies, the good news is that many children will naturally outgrow them.

One tool being used to help better identify food allergies in infants is SmartStartAllergy. Illawarra Medical Centre’s Principal GP – Dr Alan Leeb – is one of the people behind SmartStartAllergy; a collaboration between SmartVax, the National Allergy Strategy (NAS), with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

SmartStartAllergy uses automated SMS technology to send a text message to parents when their baby is 6, 9 and 12 months old to find out if they have introduced solid foods (including peanut).

Some parents will only receive a text message at 12 months. Subsequent messages ask if the child has had an allergic reaction to any introduced foods.

Parents also receive a brief questionnaire to find out about any allergic reactions, family history of allergy, or if their child has eczema.

How are food allergies and eczema linked?

People with eczema often have other allergic conditions, including food allergies. Studies have shown that infants with eczema and a family history of allergy are more likely to develop food allergies. Some research has also shown that babies with eczema can develop food allergy if the food comes into contact with their skin.

The foods most commonly found to be linked to worsening eczema are cow’s milk, eggs, wheat and peanuts.

Managing an infant’s eczema, to boost the skin barrier, may reduce the chance of them developing a food allergy.

While food allergy itself does not cause eczema, avoiding certain foods may also result in better eczema control for those with severe eczema. However, it’s important that any food elimination diets are conducted under the supervision of a clinical immunology/allergy specialist alongside a dietician, especially for infants. With an elimination diet, foods are introduced one at a time to see if they cause the eczema to flare. If there is no improvement over two weeks, this generally means that food is unlikely to be a trigger for the eczema.

Worried about food allergies or eczema?

Then book an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns. At Illawarra Medical Centre, we offer dermatology checks with Dr Dhruva Ramachandran every Tuesday morning for those with any skin concerns.

To make a booking with Dr Ramachandran or any one of our GPs to discuss your skin and allergy concerns and the best treatment options available for you, go to our online bookings page or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

To find out more about our dermatology services, visit the Dermatology page of our website>>

For more information on this topic, visit:

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia – https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-anaphylaxis/eczema-atopic-dermatitis/management#s1
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ascia) – https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts/eczema-atopic-dermatitis
DermNet New Zealand – https://dermnetnz.org/topics/atopic-dermatitis/
Eczema Association Australasia – https://www.eczema.org.au
Health Direct – Eczema – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/eczema
Health Direct – Food Allergies – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/food-allergies
Nip Allergies in the Bub – https://preventallergies.org.au/eczema/eczema-and-food-allergy/
SmartStartAllergy – http://www.smartstartallergy.com.au/
Telethon Kids Institute – https://www.telethonkids.org.au/our-research/research-topics/food-allergy/
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/allergy/Eczema%20Food%20Allergies%20Other%20Triggers(1).pdf

The post The link between eczema and food allergies appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Flu vaccines more important than ever this year

walrus — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 13:03:54 +0000

Western Australia has been relatively lucky over the past two years, with COVID-19 restrictions contributing to historically low levels of influenza in the community. However, with many restrictions now lifted and WA’s borders reopened to the world, it is more important than ever to get your annual flu vaccination this year.

What is influenza?

Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that is easily spread through coughing, touching and sneezing.

It can often be mistaken for a common cold. However, flu tends to last longer and be more debilitating. While most people experience symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose, cough, tiredness and general aches and pains, children can experience more uncommon symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Influenza can cause severe illness or death, particularly among high risk groups, including children under five, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with serious medical conditions.

Who should get vaccinated?

Anyone over the age of 6 months is encouraged to get vaccinated annually against influenza.

Those at greatest risk of serious complications from influenza are eligible to receive the vaccine for free, through the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (NIP). This includes:

Children aged 6 months to <5 years
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Adults aged 65 years and over
Pregnant women
Anyone aged 6 months and over who has:
- heart disease
- severe asthma (requiring frequent medical consultations or use of multiple medications)
- chronic lung conditions
- diseases of the nervous system that affect breathing
- impaired immunity
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- haemoglobinopathies
- children aged 6 months to 10 years on long-term aspirin therapy

In Western Australia, all primary school aged children from pre-primary to Year 6, are also eligible to receive the influenza vaccine for free.

Vaccination is also strongly recommended for those who:

Work in certain jobs and industries (including aged care and health care).
Travel to certain countries.
Are planning a pregnancy.

With COVID-19 already actively circulating throughout the community, having both flu and COVID-19 circulating at the same time could have severe consequences for vulnerable people and place increased pressure on our health system and hospitals.

That’s why the flu vaccine remains key to helping reduce the severity and spread of seasonal influenza this year.

By getting vaccinated against flu, you are also helping to reduce the spread of the disease and protecting your family and the wider community, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

This brochure from the Australian Government Department of Health provides more information on how to best protect yourself from influenza in 2022>>

Is the flu vaccine safe?

Yes. Flu vaccines given in Australia are perfectly safe. You cannot get influenza from having the influenza vaccine, as it is made from the killed virus, not living viruses.

Like any vaccine, it is possible that some people may experience a reaction; however, the risk of the flu vaccine causing serious harm is very low.

In Australia, all vaccines must pass strict safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). We also have a national program – AusVaxSafety – that monitors the type and rate of reactions to each year’s new influenza vaccine in young children.

At Illawarra Medical Centre, we utilise the SmartVax system as an additional vaccine safety measure for our patients. SmartVax uses SMS and smartphone technology to actively monitor vaccine safety in real time and feeds into the AusVaxSafety program.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

As it can take up to two weeks to develop immunity, it is generally recommended to get your flu vaccine in Autumn, so that you are protected in time for the peak influenza season, which normally occurs in winter.

Do I need to have my flu vaccine if I’ve had my COVID-19 vaccines?

Yes. The flu is caused by a different virus to COVID-19 and the dominant flu strain can change each year. That’s why, it’s important for you get vaccinated against influenza every year and even if you’ve had your COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, it is best to wait until you have fully recovered before getting your influenza vaccine.

Can I get my flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes. You can have your flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine given on the same day.

When booking in for your flu vaccination, however, it’s important to tell your vaccination provider if you are also wanting to receive your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, so that they can best plan your appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns about getting your COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at the same time, speak to your GP prior to booking in any vaccinations.

Flu Clinics at IMC

Illawarra Medical Centre is currently running flu vaccination clinics at our practice, as stocks become available. If you are wanting to get your COVID-19 vaccination at the same time as your flu vaccination, please book in via our COVID-19 clinics instead.

Bookings are essential. Book online or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/flu-influenza
AusVaxSafety – https://ausvaxsafety.org.au/safety-data/influenza-vaccine
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/influenza-a-flu
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Flu-influenza
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance – https://ncirs.org.au/influenza-vaccination-2022
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/health-topics/influenza-seasonal#tab=tab_1

The post Flu vaccines more important than ever this year appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Managing COVID-19 at Home

walrus — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 01:55:36 +0000

With increasing numbers of COVID cases in Western Australia, it is likely that many of us will experience having to manage the virus at home, either for ourselves or a family member. In this month’s blog, we take a look at how you can manage COVID at home and what you can do to keep you and your household safe.

Be prepared

With more and more cases of COVID-19 in the community, it is important to prepare yourself for having to manage COVID at home.

To get yourself prepared to manage COVID-19 at home, make sure you have these key essentials on hand:

Thermometer – a temperature of 38°C or above can be a symptom of COVID-19.
Face masks – if isolating at home with others, everyone should wear masks when in a room together to prevent spreading the virus.
Hand sanitiser and soap – good hand hygiene helps reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Make sure you have enough on hand to get you and your family through a period of isolation.
Pain relief medication – paracetamol and ibuprofen can help to relieve any discomfort caused by COVID-19 symptoms.
Electrolytes – to help manage dehydration that may result from any vomiting or diarrhoea, which are known symptoms of COVID-19.
Regular Medications – make sure you have at least a week’s supply of any medicines that you take regularly, including prescription medicines.
Cleaning Products and Disposable Gloves – to keep frequently touched surfaces (such as doorknobs, light switches and remote controls) clean and disinfected and reduce the risk of transmission.
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) – to test yourself and family members for COVID-19, when it is not possible to get a PCR test.
Important Contact Numbers – for your nominated support person, emergency services and GP, as well as those you can call if you need help with food deliveries, essential supplies or looking after your children, pets or people in your care if you are unable to.
Activities – to keep you and others in your house entertained while in isolation.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever
Runny nose
Sore, scratchy throat
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Headache
Muscle aches
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Chills/night sweats
Loss of taste and/or smell

If you have any of these symptoms, no matter how mild, you will need to isolate and get yourself tested straight away. You will also need to get tested if you are identified as a close contact of a positive case and isolate for 7 days from the date of contact.

The good news is that most people who are generally fit, healthy, younger and vaccinated will have only mild symptoms and can manage their COVID-19 recovery at home. If you are in a higher-risk category or have underlying health conditions, talk to your GP about the best way to manage COVID-19 at home.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and experience worsening symptoms that mean you are unable to take care of yourself in the usual way (such as showering, putting on clothes or making food), then contact your GP.

If your symptoms become severe, such as difficulty breathing when resting, then phone 000 immediately and let the operator know that you have COVID.

This checklist is a handy way to help you prepare for managing COVID-19 at home and to know what to do if you test positive or have symptoms>>

Getting tested

There are two tests available for COVID-19 – Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

RATs are readily available from pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets and can be done at home. They work by testing your saliva or nasal swab, with a result available in around 15 minutes. When using a RAT, it’s important to follow the instructions very carefully to ensure you get the most accurate result.

If you receive a positive RAT test, you will need to isolate at home and register your result with WA Health, so they can advise you of what you need to do next.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Tests can detect genetic material from the virus and are conducted by trained health professionals, with results produced by a lab. It can take up to three working days to receive your PCR results. You will be contacted by phone if you are positive or SMS if you are negative. Results are provided between 8am and 8pm daily. PCR tests are more reliable than RATs and are available for free at COVID testing clinics across the state>>

While waiting for results of your PCR test, you will need to isolate until a negative result is confirmed.

I’ve tested positive for COVID-19. Now what?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will need to isolate at home for a minimum of 7 days and tell those you live with about your positive result.

Try to manage any symptoms that you have and rest up so that you can recover. If your symptoms worsen to the point you are unable to look after yourself properly, contact your GP.

If your symptoms become severe and you have difficulty breathing when resting, then phone 000 immediately and let the operator know that you have COVID.

It’s important to also look after your mental health while in isolation. You can help stay on top of your mental wellbeing by:

Keeping in touch with family and friends through phone calls, video calls, emails, social media or writing letters.
Maintaining health routines.
Accessing support if you need it.

For more information on taking care of your mental health, visit https://www.thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au/mental-health-and-covid-19/

If, after isolating for 7 days, you have NO symptoms, then no further test is required and you can stop isolating.

If you DO have symptoms on day 7, remain in isolation until those symptoms clear or get clearance from a medical professional before leaving isolation.

Once you leave isolation, for the next 7 days, you will need to:

wear a mask indoors and outdoors for the next 7 days. This includes when in a vehicle used by people other than your household members (such as public transport or ride-sharing services); and
avoid visiting healthcare, aged and residential care facilities or correctional facilities.

Stay COVID Safe

Once you are out of isolation and clear of COVID, keep yourself COVID safe by continuing to follow the state’s COVID-19 guidelines, including:

Get up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations
Wear a mask
Practice social distance by keeping at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from each other)
Maintain good personal hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water, using hand sanitizer, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
Stay home if you are unwell and getting tested if you display any COVID-19 symptoms.
Use the ServiceWA or SafeWA app to check in.

Stay up-to-date with the latest COVID advice

With the rules and restrictions around COVID-19 constantly changing, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest restrictions and advice around testing, isolating and keeping you and your family safe.

For the latest COVID-19 information, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus

If you have any queries or concerns about COVID-19, call the Coronavirus Information Helpline on 1326843.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blog/how-to-prepare-a-kit-to-manage-COVID-19-at-home
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus
Healthy WA – Looking After Yourself – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Managing-COVID19-at-home-and-in-the-community/Looking-after-yourself
Think Mental Health – https://www.thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au/mental-health-and-covid-19/
WA Government – https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus
WA Government – Managing COVID-19 Booklet – https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2022-03/Managing-COVID-19-booklet.pdf
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19#:~:text=treatment

The post Managing COVID-19 at Home appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.