Ask your GP for advice if you are high risk and test positive for COVID-19
If you are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, talk to your doctor as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for oral antivirals. These medicines must be taken as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptoms starting.1 That’s why it’s important to test early and act fast.2
Tips for making a doctor’s appointment
– Let the receptionist know that you have tested positive for COVID-19 and you would like to make a telehealth appointment for as soon as possible.
– If no appointments are available for that day, ask if the practice can refer you to another doctor because you have risk factors for severe COVID-19.
– Alternatively, you can find a GP below.
I have no risk factors; can I just isolate and recover at home?
If you have mild symptoms and no additional risk factors, you should ideally stay at home to help protect the people in your community. If you test positive, you should not visit high-risk settings like hospitals and aged and disability care settings for at least 7 days or until symptoms have gone, unless seeking immediate medical care.3
Other steps you can take to help protect others around you include wearing a mask if you leave home, avoiding public areas and public transport, and working from home if you can.3
Follow your local health department’s advice, available at the link below, if you leave your home.3
Remember you can phone your doctor if your symptoms get worse.3
If you feel unwell and are unable to talk to your GP, you can speak to a nurse by calling the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.
If you develop symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately. Tell the call handler and the paramedics on arrival if you have COVID-19.
Check your state or territory’s health advice:
#PlanForCOVID
Talk to your family and friends about planning for COVID-19
By clicking on the links below, you will be leaving planforcovid.com.au and be directed to another website, which MSD Australia has not developed. The information you are about to be referred to may not comply with Australian regulatory requirements. Information relevant to the Australian environment is available from MSD Australia.
We have linked to healthdirect – a government-funded virtual health service that provides access to health advice and information via a website, app and telephone helpline to help people manage their health and connect them to the right care at the right time.
References:
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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Oral treatments for COVID-19.
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/oral-treatments (accessed June 2024). -
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Groups at higher risk from COVID-19.
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/protect-yourself-and-others/high-risk-groups (accessed June 2024). -
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Testing positive for COVID-19.
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/testing-positive (accessed June 2024).
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