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May 4, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Talk to your GP – Why this is important now more than ever

While the world talks incessantly about the COVID-19 crisis, there is a lesser-known issue we might be overlooking – our general health and well-being.

The National Health Service is worried about the steady decline in the number of patients coming in for other illnesses – strokes, cardiac issues, pregnancy-related visits, sick children and the like. There is around a 29% decrease in A&E visits and doctors fear that people needing care are not visiting hospitals. It is understandable, given that many of us are worried and anxious about stepping outside and would rather not visit places with more people. Especially when hospitals are also currently treating COVID-19 patients.

While the advice and general consensus is to delay elective procedures until it is safe to venture out, more critical, time-sensitive health issues need to be tackled sooner rather than later. A delay in seeking the right kind of care can not only be detrimental for your health (or the health of a loved one), but will also ultimately add more strain on the already overworked and limited health resources and healthcare system. Moreover, if there is a COVID-19 risk,it is better to ensure we are not immunocompromised in any way so a recovery might be possible. 

One way to protect yourself is to ascertain if a hospital visit is needed first. Talk to your GP, explain your health situation and seek counsel. You can now consult with a general practice doctor without having to leave the house – through an online or video consultation. 

Gogodoc’s team has NHS-certified General Practice doctors who can offer expert medical advice over an online/video call so you can get the help you need while still practicing lockdown rules. A private online GP consultation can be scheduled through our website or through the Gogodoc app and a GP – appointments could be as early as within the hour. Online doctor consultations include prescriptions that can be filled at your pharmacy, should you require it, as well as advice on whether you need advanced medical care at a hospital.

If you do have to seek medical attention at a hospital, do it without delay, but take protective measures before venturing out – including masks and practicing social distancing. Again, talk to your GP, get your health checked, and get guidance on next steps. Take care, and stay safe.

Book an appointment today!

May 2, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

COVID-19, NHS and the UK – How our healthcare system is battling the pandemic

Month 4 into the COVID-19 pandemic and here’s a quick look at how the NHS, and several other bodies, are tackling the novel virus.

Harnessing the Power of Data

The NSHX – the health service’s digital innovation unit, has teamed up with several Tech Giants (including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Faculty AI) to analyze data around COVID-19 patients and tests. The analysis will help follow the progression of the virus, track hotspots, and efficiently manage the use of resources like ventilators and test kits.

Contact-Tracing App

The NHSX is also developing a smartphone app that works over Bluetooth. The app will work to keep track of who has COVID-like symptoms, and who they might have come into contact with, and dispense isolation advice based on that. The app is being tested at the RAF facility in North Yorkshire and is expected to be available to the general public sometime in May.

Drive-Through Testing

Drive-through testing is being administered in several areas in southern England (and expanding), mostly targeting healthcare service members. Though the UK is still not where it should be with tests and testing kits, this aims to bridge the gap somewhat.

Vaccine Trials

Oxford University has just begun human trials for a possible vaccine for COVID-19 / Coronavirus. Over a thousand people are expected to take part in this trial where they test if a healthy individual could be made immune to the deadly and contagious Coronavirus.

Even as the NHS (and other auxiliary services) battle the pandemic to help keep us safe, they advise that our general health should not be neglected. Going to a hospital to receive necessary medical care (even if non-COVID related) is a valid reason to step out of the house. Talk to a GP to understand if it’s necessary for you. Our general practice doctors at Gogodoc are available for online video consultations through the week and can see a patient from the comfort of your home in as little as one hour (visit the website or download the Gogodoc app to book an appointment).

We will get through this together. But until then, Stay Home, and Stay Safe.

Book an appointment today!

April 29, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

COVID-19 Updates from WHO and NHS

With the deluge of news around the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to discern the real from the fake, the recent from the outdated. Here is a quick summary of updates from the two trusted sources leading the fight – the World Health Organisation and the NHS. 

WHO’s situation report shows that the COVID-19 illness has taken over quite a few lives – as of April 28, 2020 the coronavirus has affected over 2.8 million people and claimed over 198,000 lives. In the UK, the highly contagious illness has taken over 21,000 lives with daily reports continuing to document new cases and deaths.

Amid the debate and controversy on the UK’s testing targets and the availability of test kits, we also learned that there are now drive-through test centers for healthcare and allied workers. And that the NHS is partnering with several companies in the IT and digital sectors to collect, collate, and analyze information on COVID-19 and be able to diligently and efficiently use resources. A soon-to-be-released contact-tracing app may be able to tell us if we have come into contact with someone that has developed COVID-19 symptoms. A vaccine trial is also underway at Oxford University though it will be a while before we are able to ascertain its effectiveness.

The NHS has also updated its advice for those that think they may have the coronavirus – in order to not inundate the 111 phone line, NHS has created a 111 online service where people can answer a questionnaire about their symptoms – this will serve as a first-line triage and additional advice is offered based on the answers. For those with symptoms, NHS recommends self-isolating for at least 7 days, and for those that have come in contact with someone that has symptoms, they recommend a 14-day isolation period to see if any symptoms develop.

Regardless of the updates around us, it is important to continue to practice social distancing rules, stay indoors, sanitize our hands and common surfaces frequently, and remember to take care of our general health. For any questions related to your health, talk to your GP. Or reach out to us at Gogodoc – an online-video consultation appointment can be booked in as early as an hour and our NHS-certified GPs can offer you expert medical advice on what to do, all over a video consult so you don’t have to leave your house. Now more than ever, be aware, and stay safe.

Book an appointment today!

April 29, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

The CO in COVID – heart-warming stories from around the world

In times of crises, like the one we are in right now, it is easy to get bogged down by all the negative numbers and news. But this is also a time when we can see humanity and solidarity in action – and we’re not just talking about medical staff – general practice doctors, surgeons, emergency responders,nurses, support staff and the like. We’re talking about ordinary people making extraordinary contributions to society during this time – here are 5 stories from around the world to warm your heart and bring back your faith in humanity.

 

USA – A high school student in Santa Barbara, California – Daniel Goldberg – set up a website called Zoomers to Boomers to collect orders and deliver groceries to older, at-risk people in his area that could not leave their houses to shop. His effort has since sparked numerous other initiatives and examples of the young helping the old. 

 

Italy – Italian Tenor Andrew Bocelli performed asolo concert from an empty Duomo Cathedral for Easter. The concert was live-streamed to millions of people, bringing some hope and positivity to those in lockdown.

 

UK – Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year old veteran, aimed to complete 100 laps in his garden before turning 100. His goal? Raise ÂĢ1000 for NHS Charities together. Over a million people have contributed to his efforts and his current fundraising stands at ÂĢ23 million. Yes, million!

 

Sweden – Princess Sofia of Sweden traded her tiara for scrubs and volunteered at a Stockholm hospital, assisting in non-medical duties like disinfecting and cleaning.

 

Brazil – Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro got a makeover and was lit up in a medical uniform last weekend to show appreciation and respect for our frontline heroes – the healthcare professionals.

 

At Gogodoc, we have our own healthcare heroes helping with the pandemic – every General Practice doctor in our roster is available for online doctor consultation services. Appointments for video consultations with our GPs are easy to book (check out our website for the appointment form), private, and safe in these social-distancing times. Find a general practice doctor near you and get an appointment in as little as one hour!

Book an appointment today!

April 24, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Feel Something, Say Something – COVID-19 symptoms refresher and what to do

A simple cough is enough to give us a fright these days – so we thought it might be time for a quick refresher on COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if you think you fit the brief.

NHS has designated two major symptoms for COVID-19 – 

  1. A high temperature – where your body (especially chest and back) feel hot to the touch.
  2. A new, continuous cough – the key phrase being ‘new and continuous’ – if you have been coughing continuously for an hour, or have 3 or more bad coughing fits in a span of 24 hours – if you tend to have allergies around this time, know that a COVID cough is much worse than the coughing fits you normally have.

If you think you have one or both of these symptoms – the recommendation is to use the 111 Online Coronavirus Service from NHS to figure out what to do next – whether it was a false alarm, or if a test needs to be taken, or if self-isolation is required. Whatever the conclusion, the advice is to ‘stay home’ and sort this out with the NHS online service so you don’t end up infecting anyone else. If the symptoms are unmanageable or if a baby or at-risk elder has these symptoms, the NHS recommends calling the helpline.

For someone that has COVID-19 symptoms, NHS recommends a 7-day self-isolation period with no contact with other humans for the fever to subside (longer if fever takes longer to subside) – this is so the risk of spreading of the virus is avoided. Note that a cough may last long after the infection period is complete. For someone who lives with, or has had contact with a COVID-19 positive person, the recommended self-isolation period is 14 days – since it can take 14 days for symptoms to show. If symptoms show, an additional 7-day self-isolation maybe required.

Regardless of work commitments or your general gauge of your own health, now is the time to be safe than sorry. So stay home, monitor your health and seek help if you think you have symptoms. If you are unsure and want to monitor your health without leaving home, schedule an online phone or video consultation with a General Practice doctor at Gogodoc – a doctor can call you within the hour!

Book for a video consultation today!

March 22, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

What to do if you think you may have the Coronavirus

It’s a pandemic, we are hearing and reading about it everyday on the news. A friend of a friend of a friend has it. And now you think you have it too – because you coughed that one time.

Don’t Panic. Take a deep breath, and let’s look at what to do if you think you have the dreaded Coronavirus.

 

COVID-19 Symptoms

The coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness very similar to the cold and the flu. The initial symptoms are a high temperature and cough. Other, more intense symptoms might be a shortness of breath.

Just a cough by itself may not be cause for alarm here – have you travelled to a country with COVID-19 cases or come into close contact with them? Is the cough new or have you always had one from allergies etc. Did you go to a crowded place or did you come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus?

 

When to Take the Test

Okay, you think your symptoms mimic the virus – the first instinct is to go see your GP and get a test done. However, the latest directive from NHS says that you do not need to visit a GP, pharmacy, or hospital. All they want you to do is to stay put, at home (also called self-isolation) for at least 7 days. In most healthy individuals, the COVID-19 will exhibit symptoms and be gone within that time-frame, very much like the common cold. You are only advised to call the NHS 111 helpline if you are unable to manage the symptoms on your own, or if the condition worsens. The NHS will then appropriately guide you on next steps.

 

Self and Social Isolation

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate for 7 days. Do not meet with anyone, try not to travel outside unless absolutely essential, wear a face mask or cover your mouth with your sleeve (or a tissue) if you do have to be outside, and wait for the illness to subside.

Anyone who has come in contact with you should also practise self-isolation for 14 days (from the day they met you and you had symptoms) to avoid being carriers of the disease.

Even if you don’t have the virus, it is best to consider social distancing and avoid crowded places where you might pick up the virus. Remember to wash your hands frequently, and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap is not available) and avoid touching your face, to minimize the risk of being infected.

If you are still unsure and would like some expert opinion and guidance on your case, schedule an online consultation with a qualified GP. Book a phone/video doctor consultation with Gogodoc and get all your questions answered right away. Whatever the case, stay indoors, wash your hands, and let’s ride this out.

 

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August 30, 2018 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Activated Charcoal: The New Black, Or Just Another Quack?

Charcoal? Either I’m missing something or the world’s losing the plot. Because it’s usually the latter, I decided to write this article to rectify the issue.