Hello!

You would have to literally be living under a rock not to know about Coronavirus but although we’ve seen the climbing numbers and heard stories of countries shutting shop and bunkering down, many of us don’t actually know what do do if you think you may have Coronavirus.

Firstly let’s look at the symptoms.

Symptoms

According to the Australian Department Of Health, symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.

People infected with Coronavirus may experience:

  • fever
  • flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
  • shortness of breath

These symptoms are similar to other flu variants, so it’s not guaranteed that these symptoms mean you definitely have COVID-19, but you should still get tested.

I have Coronavirus Symptoms. What Do I Do?

If you are experiencing Coronavirus symptoms, there are a few steps that you should follow:

If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

COVID-19 Hotline

Otherwise, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice.

The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 1800 020 080

Seek Medical Attention

Your first point of call is your local GP. However, you should not just show up at the doctor’s office as you may be putting vulnerable patients at risk. Instead, you should call ahead of time to inform the doctor’s office about your symptoms and to make an appointment.

You will be asked to take precautions when you attend your appointment for treatment. Ensure  you follow the instructions you are given.

If you have a mask, wear it to protect others. Stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Cover your coughs or sneezes with your elbow.

When you see your doctor, make sure you give them a full medical history including:

  • your symptoms
  • any travel history
  • any recent contact with someone who has COVID-19

Get A Coronavirus Test

There is a global shortage of test kits that pathologists use to diagnose COVID-19. As a result, only targeted testing of Coronavirus will be taking place at present.

Your doctor will make the decision if you should be tested and will make arrangements for the test.

You will only be tested if your doctor decides you meet the following criteria:

  • You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever
  • You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever
  • You have severe community-acquired pneumonia and there is no clear cause
  • You are a healthcare worker who works directly with patients and you have a respiratory illness and a fever.

The test generally involves having a swab that is placed into both nostrils and down the throat. This is then sent off to the laboratory to be tested.

What happens after the test?

It may take a few days for the test results to come back.

If you have serious symptoms you will be kept in hospital and isolated from other patients to prevent the virus spreading.

If your doctor says you are well enough to go home while you wait for your test results, you should:

  • self-quarantine at home and do not attend work or school
  • wash your hands often with soap and water
  • cough and sneeze into your elbow
  • avoid cooking for or caring for other members of your household
  • wear the mask your doctor gives you if you cannot avoid close contact with other people

What happens if my test is negative?

You no longer need to remain in isolation. You may return to normal activities on the advice of Public Health authorities. You should continue to carefully monitor your health for up to 14 days after your last contact with the confirmed case.

Report any new or returning symptoms to Public Health in this period. You may be required to be tested again.

What happens if my test is positive?

You must remain in your home or accommodation until Public Health officers advise that it is safe to return to normal activities. This will normally be 1 day after your symptoms end.

If your condition deteriorates, seek medical attention:

  • Notify the Public Health officers managing your care by calling the number provided to you
  • Follow the direction of the Public Health officers who may advise you to go to a doctor’s surgery or a hospital
  • Call ahead to a doctor or hospital and inform them that you are a confirmed case of COVID-19
  • Put on the mask provided to you if you need to leave the house
  • When you arrive at the doctor’s surgery or hospital, tell them that you are a confirmed case of COVID-19.

What About My Family And Friends?

People who you have had contact with you, including family members and people you live with will need to isolate themselves for 14 days since their last contact with you. If they start displaying symptoms, they will need to seek medical attention.

What life changes have you made amidst the Coronavirus crisis? Tell us in the comments below.

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  • When all this happened I simply stayed at home. My cupboards were well stocked and I had face masks ands hand sanitizer as my husband had been battling cancer and passed just as covid started.

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  • I am at home most of the time, have sanitiser with me if needed, shop only once a week and genuinely follow the guidelines – but wonder if others are as stringent now as they were in the beginning.

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  • I am staying at home except for essentials and homeschooling :-(

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  • Good tips – essential for sharing at this time!

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  • Washing hands and using hand sanitizer when out

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  • I keep drumming it my kids heads, wash, wash, wash those hands-often and well.

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  • There is limited testing happening at the moment as there isn’t enough tests. They are only testing people who are very sick or have been overseas or direct contact. There’s probably heaps of people walking around with it who haven’t or can’t be tested.

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  • Make sure my elderly Father has all his medication and grocery shopping

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  • I have been talking to my kids about what is happening and their schools also keep the kids informed. My husband wants to pull the kids out now as it’s only one week and a few days until the April school holidays, my grade 6 daughter was all for it but my Year 8 high school 13 year old son doesn’t want to miss any school. To date this year he has only missed 2 days and that was because he was very unwell. So at this point we are still sending both to school. We also have a near two year old son who we now don’t take into the shops anymore and definitely not putting him into any trolleys as at his age and with teething he puts everything in his mouth so now I go alone to the shops and my husband who is 50 stays at home with our youngest son. I have been using pine O clean and morning fresh with water mixed up in my spray bottle to clean every inch of my house inside and out. My amazing husband is cleaning up out the front and back of our house and worked for 4 hours today digging holes and making a whole new garden out the front n back. Looks fantastic, lots of large mature Yukkas that a neighbour threw out so it didn’t cost us a penny and it will give us se privacy. I have told my kids to wash their hands more regularly and not to cough on or touch other people. We have not stock piled anything because we live week to week, sometimes day to day so cannot afford to buy very much. It cost me $6 for 12 eggs yesterday at my local Coles and they were my only choice as their was nothing else available. I’m trying to keep my family positive and happy. If we do end up having a lockdown I’ll be making it a position experience if I can for my family by playing board games, doing art and craft together, watching family movies together, eating and chatting at our dining table all together. Get back to basics and enjoy getting to know my kids and hubby better.

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  • Washing my hands regularly (like I always have) and using hand sanitizer. I’m concerned about everyone being unnecessarily tested. If I happen to get Coronavirus, I will take to bed, drink fluids, rest and take panadol. Like I did with Swine flu. And I recovered. It just knocked me about for a couple of weeks.

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  • I have been following the news and know what to do but luckily I don’t really mix with many people. I haven’t increased my shopping but I do wash my hands even more than usual. It’s a very scary time

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  • It is very hard to monitor yourself, especially when more and more cases are emerging where those affected show no symptoms at all ….. We need to be extra vigilant with hygiene and try to avoid crowded areas.

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  • my GP said they don’t have the test available

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  • There is a wealth of information for the public on this virus and the community needs to follow the steps.


    • Indeed.



      • We also need to ensure those that are vulnerable in the community are cared for in every way.

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  • Scary though

    Reply

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