Winter planning in your practice
The National Health Protection Office have provided updated advice to support GPs managing acute respiratory illnesses in practices. Detailed advice and quick reference algorithms are available here.
Key points include:
- Winter immunisations (influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal and RSV) are our best protection against respiratory infections
- The vast majority of cases of acute cough do not require antibiotics
- Testing to identify the specific organism causing infection is not required for most people
- Consider testing for respiratory viruses in patients at high risk of severe or complicated influenza to aid clinical management
- Paxlovid is now only recommended for selected seriously immunocompromised COVID-19 patients
- Assess the suitability of people at high risk of progressing to severe influenza for treatment with antivirals (eg oseltamivir) management
Winter planning for your patients in residential care facilities
The National Health Protection Office have provided updated advice to support GPs managing acute respiratory illnesses in residential care facilities. Detailed advice and quick reference algorithms are available here.
Key points include:
- Winter immunisations (influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal and RSV) are our best protection against respiratory infections
- Residents of care facilities with acute respiratory symptoms should be tested in the facility with a multiplex platform for respiratory viruses (the local lab will be able to advise the facility about which swabs to use)
- Testing up to five cases in a care facility with an outbreak is generally recommended
- Assess the suitability of people at high risk of progressing to severe influenza for treatment with antivirals (eg oseltamivir)
- A public health risk assessment should be undertaken to assess the requirement for providing antiviral chemoprophylaxis to exposed residents and staff in residential care facilities. This risk assessment can be undertaken by the local public health
- Paxlovid is now only recommended for selected seriously immunocompromised COVID-19 patients
- Nursing homes have been issued a 10-step guide that provides essential strategies for preparing for the winter season. More information is available here.
Additional Resources
Dr Patrick Kelly, Clinical Lead (Vaccinations)
Dr Scott Walkin, Clinical Lead (AMRIC)