Managing patients with viral respiratory illnesses this winter

  6 June 2022  Western Public Health…   

Dr Finn Romanes, Director of the Western Public Health Unit, provides clinical advice about the testing and treatment of patients with influenza and COVID-19.

As shown in the graph below, Victorian Department of Health surveillance has observed a significant resurgence of viral respiratory infections including influenza since the start of April 2022.

Notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza – Australia, 01 Jan 2017 to 08 May 2022, by month and week of diagnosis (DoH, 2022).

To avoid severe illness from influenza and COVID-19, we strongly recommend that eligible people are vaccinated for both COVID-19 and influenza and that vulnerable cohorts receive medical support early in their illness so they can recover from these respiratory viruses at home.

The Western Public Health Unit has created two documents, which outline available testing and treatment options for both influenza and COVID-19. These factsheets provide guidance on the various tests and treatments available to eligible patients. Visit the I’m a general practitioner section of wphu.org.au/resources to find them.

We are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact our unit if you have any questions.

Disclaimer: This article was provided by Western Health. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.