We continue to operate in this time of constant change, with often daily guideline changes for the management of those with respiratory infection symptoms.
We understand and share the frustrations of implementing and managing the requirements of these constant changes.
Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, bronchitis, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green. Antibiotics are only needed for treating infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics.
If you have a mild cold and are otherwise well and your symptoms do not worsen and you do not meet the HIS * criteria, detailed below, you will probably not need to be tested. We suggest that you stay home until you are well and have had no symptoms for 48 hours.
We welcome your queries. Please note everyone who calls will be asked if they have a new or worsening cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or head cold e.g. runny nose, sneezing or post-nasal drip or loss of sense of smell with or without fever. When you have any of the above, then before any appointment can be booked for you, you will be put on the nurse queue for a call back for a nurse to triage and manage your care.
Due to the very high level of calls our nurses may take longer than usual to return your call and may take up to 4 hours, however a nurse will return your call.
Friday’s update advised that the ‘suspect’ case definition has now been removed, and there are now criteria (‘High Index of Suspicion”, HIS*) to provide guidance around risk assessment.
Clinical symptoms : Any acute respiratory infection with at least one of the following symptoms: new or worsening cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, head cold e.g. runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip, loss of sense of smell with or without fever.
*HIS criteria for COVID-19 include (in the 14 days prior to illness onset):
· Contact with a confirmed or probable case
· International travel
· Direct contact with a person who has travelled overseas 9eg Customs and Immigration staff, staff at quarantine/isolation facilities)
· Worked on an international aircraft or shipping vessel
· Cleaned at an international airport or maritime port in areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals, or
· Any other criteria requested by the local Medical Officer of Health
Those meeting both the clinical and HIS criteria will be referred to our local designated practice – Counties Care Medical O’Shannessey Street Papakura for testing and those who meet the clinical but not the HIS* criteria will be referred to Community Based Assessments Centres for testing – The closest CBA Centre to our practice is Baderdrive Doctors Manurewa open 9am – 3pm, behind the Manurewa Library Newhook Lane Manurewa.
