Minimise the spread of minor illnesses
We’re currently a germ carrying nation. Everyone seems to be blowing their nose, sniffling or coughing, as the cold weather brings about a surge of winter illnesses.
But it isn’t just colds that we need to be wary of – GPs are warning that cases of the winter vomiting bug, norovirus, are increasing, which usually signals the beginning of a national outbreak.
In addition to this, swine flu cases are on the rise once again, with GPs now starting the process of vaccinating those in priority groups.
However, with extra appointments being requested for vaccinations, along with more cases of norovirus and seasonal and swine flu, GPs are urging patients with minor illnesses to stay away from surgeries to help reduce the spread of infection – and to ease the strain on their resources.
Dr Michelle Drage, Chairman of the London-wide Local Medical Committees, said: “GPs are used to seeing norovirus and flu activity increase in winter and we are prepared for that.
“The only unfamiliar circumstance is the swine flu vaccinations. Adding these three things together, we can expect a pretty hectic time of it over the next couple of months.
“It does not look like being a good winter healthwise. The advice to people is to manage minor but uncomfortable illness at home and don't rush to the doctor with the very first symptom. That will enable us to manage the people that are acutely unwell.” *
Norovirus causes a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea, which normally resolves itself over 48 hours. Although it’s a nasty bug, there is no specific treatment for it, except to let the illness run its course.
Good hand hygiene and keeping surfaces clean can help to combat both swine flu and norovirus, and staying at home can help to prevent the spread of infection.
But data suggests that cases of gastroenteritis, including bugs like norovirus, are already above the level of this time last year. In addition, figures from NHS Direct show that the proportion of calls to their advice line about symptoms of vomiting have risen to more than four per cent of all calls.
Most of Westfield Health’s cash plans include a GP telephone consultation benefit. The service enables policyholders to speak to a fully qualified UK GP at a time convenient to them. The helpline can be called 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the world.
Jill Davies, Chief Executive at Westfield Health, said: “Our GP telephone consultation service gives our policyholders and their family members the reassurance of speedy access to advice on all health issues, including flu and norovirus, whenever they need it.
“The health of our policyholders is, of course, our main priority, but the benefit of this service really is two-fold. While providing medical advice, it can also play a very important supporting role to the NHS.”
More information on Westfield Health cash plans is available on this website.
Reference:
* The Daily Telegraph 22/10/09
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