Here at Sloane Street Surgery, we have certainly been aware in the last few weeks of a wave in cases of Covid 19. Unusually for Summer, we have also seen cases of Influenza a, Respiratory Syncitial virus (RSV), whooping cough, Human metapneumovirus and adenovirus, all of which show similar symptoms.
It’s not just President Biden. Most of you have now knowingly had Covid at least once, and many of our patients and many of us have had it three or four times. Generally, each time, it gets milder but more infectious.
National figures are unreliable for incidence. Covid testing is not automatically done for every patient who attends hospital any longer, lateral flow testing at home is unreliable and done sporadically and most PCR tests are in the patients admitted with Covid. We don’t know overall incidence across the Country but suspect its greater than the tests show. We do know that more Covid lateral flow tests are being sold in pharmacies and more calls are coming into GP surgeries. We also know that the official figures of PCR tests show a rise since June to about 3500 positive cases a week.
Thankfully, although hospitalisations have increased this Summer, they are still low (mainly the elderly), and deaths per week are only 200 a week, compared to 9000 per week in January 2021. The elderly are still the most vulnerable.
We think that this summer surge is due to many different reasons. Immunity from vaccines is now waning, crowds have come together for the Euro football and other summer events and we have a new variant of Covid called FLiRT which is more infectious than previous variants.
When should I worry?
We are happy to consult with any patient who is worried about themselves or a relative who has symptoms suggestive of possible Covid, even if the lateral flow test is negative and you are unsure. We know that there are difficult decisions to be made about whether to work, whether to see relatives and whether to travel.
We do have quick PCR testing available (BioFire) and can tell you in a few hours exactly what virus you are suffering from. Our advice is still to stay at home and rest as much as possible and to particularly avoid any contact with the elderly or immunocompromised. If you do have to go out, wear a mask and let us know before an appointment that you may have Covid as we will take different precautions.
We particularly want to talk to you if you become more unwell or if you experience breathlessness, chest pain, high fever, dizziness or confusion. If you are older or are immunocompromised or have other illnesses that make you susceptible to Covid, we would like to speak to you as soon as you become ill, so that we can treat you swiftly.
What treatments are available privately?
As you know most patients with Covid do not need any treatment other than symptom relief and fever control with paracetamol, ibuprofen and fluids but if you do need anti-virals we can now prescribe them privately which is very pleasing.
Paxlovid is still the first line anti-viral given in the UK and is a combination of Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir. Treatment needs to be started within 7 days of symptoms starting and can be given as long as long as you don’t have advanced liver or kidney disease and as long as you are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Its only given to adults, but there are other antivirals available for children or those with advanced liver or advanced kidney disease. Generally, it is tolerated well with few side effects, and it definitely improves symptoms but on occasion the symptoms kick back at the end of the course briefly. We are happy to discuss this with you in more detail if you or a relative has tested positive.
Should I be vaccinated again?
- Adults aged 65 years and over
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- Individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group.
The vaccine will only be given to patients who have not had a booster in the last six months.
The situation in America is different as all patients over six months old are going to be advised to have an updated vaccine, which will aim to cover the latest variant in the Autumn. Although vaccination does not necessarily stop you from catching Covid, data does show that it reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation or death and will reduce the incidence of Long Covid.
Although we still don’t give Covid vaccines at Sloane Street, if you do want to have one privately, we are happy to talk it through with you and advise on its availability.
If you are concerned about symptoms suggestive of possible Covid-19 (either yourself or a relative), even if the lateral flow test is negative, please book an appointment online or by calling 0207 245 9333.
Article produced by Sloane Street Surgery, a private GP practice in London that provides world-class private healthcare for patients in Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, West London, Hampshire, and beyond.
About the author
MBBS DCH DRCOG MRCGP
“I love working with the other doctors and staff, but what sticks with me are the interesting conversations we have with our patients, every day”.
As a GP, I have worked both in the NHS and privately and spent 8 years as School Doctor to The Hall School in Hampstead. I joined Sloane Street Surgery in 2015.
I particularly like seeing teenagers, adults and the elderly. I really enjoy general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, care of older patients and looking after patients in distress.
The joy of being a GP in a group practice working alongside other doctors is that I learn every day, through my own research but also constant conversation.
