COVID-19 – What to do if you have symptoms
If you have a high temperature and / or a new and continuous cough self isolate for 7 days if you live alone or 14 days if you live with others. Everyone in the household should self isolate with you for 14 days even if they are well.
Do not attend the GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. This will help to protect others in your community while you are infectious. Self isolating also helps protect you in the event this is simply a seasonal cold by keeping you away from others who may not be so fortunate. You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
We have no ability to test for the virus at the practice. Testing currently is only done in hospital.
UPDATE
From 08:00 on Monday 23rd March anyone who feels their symptoms are getting worse despite self isolating and self care should call NHS 111 . Following triage you will either be reassured and continue to isolate or you will be directed to specially designed clinics run by Hospital doctors, GPs and Nurse practitioners are being set up locally to review your symptoms and arrange for you to be seen in a safe and protected environment.
Please do not contact the practice regarding your worsening symptoms. The reception team have been trained and will instruct you to do so. This is now natioinal policy in an attempt to reduce the spread of this virus within Westburn Medical Practice.
For all other non Coronavirus related medical problems – contact the practice as normal.
SICK LINE FOR SELF ISOLATION
If you self isolate – you do not need to contact the practice for a sickline for 2 weeks please go to the link below:
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
For general advice contact www.nhsinform.scot In the event this does not answer your question you can contact the national helpline on 0800 028 2816 or 111.
GENERAL ADVICE
As with any sort of virus, how bad and how long the symptoms last will depend largely on the patient’s individual circumstances. Remember for most its about minimising the risk of spread. Stay at home, cancel all non-urgent travel. Work from home if possible. Reducing social contact and good hand washing will significantly reduce your chances of contracting this virus and potentially spreading it to the most vulnerable in your family.
Even those with significant medical problems should expect to make a full recovery. Please only contact us if you are very unwell. Your symptoms may last 7-28 days. The length of the illness should not worry you greatly so long as you do not become increasing unwell during this time. Seek medical advice at this point.
Treatment is largely supportive such as paracetamol but avoid anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and the newer etoricoxib and celecoxib as there is some evidence that outcomes are worse in those groups who take these medications.
Take advice from your pharmacist if you need to self medicate – however I would urge you call rather than present to the shop. You should manage this as you would any cold or flu except you must self isolate for 7-14 days if you have symptoms. You can return to full responsibilities and duties when you are well.
Most cases reported in the UK have been relatively mild sometimes with no symptoms at all. Those affected typically recover within a 2 to 3 weeks. Over 98% of those infected make a full recovery. We will all feel a little more anxious at this time but for the vast majority there is no need to be.
Please look after the most vulnerable – the elderly and those with underlying medical problems such as asthma/COPD/Diabetes/Cancer and neurological problems.
Stay safe.