Getting winter-ready has never been more important
Winter is fast approaching, and the NHS is preparing for its busiest season. Dr Andy, In-House GP at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, offers his tips for keeping well.
The spread of viruses and bacteria from person to person increases in colder temperatures and acts as a trigger for people with lung conditions. Not only do these bugs make people feel unwell but they can also have the knock-on effect of causing a flare-up of conditions like asthma, COPD or bronchiectasis.
Like every other year, us GPs know that it’s people’s lungs that will keep us busiest this winter. Unlike other years though, the added threat of COVID-19 has made the situation more worrying. As a result of COVID-19 more people will have lung symptoms, more people will need support from the NHS, and more NHS staff will need to take time off from work because they, or their family, have COVID-19 symptoms.
The important thing about winter is that there’s a lot we can all do to help protect ourselves, each other and the NHS.
General prevention
No-one will have escaped the messages that handwashing, minimising contact with other people and wearing face coverings help to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We hope this will also help to stop flu and other viruses spreading.
‘Everyone with a chronic respiratory condition qualifies for a free NHS flu jab’
We don’t have a vaccine for COVID-19 just yet but we do have vaccines for influenza and the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia (pneumococcal pneumonia). Everyone with a chronic respiratory condition qualifies for a free NHS flu vaccine (including people with asthma who have preventer medication). If you’ve got questions or concerns about the flu vaccine this year, you can find advice on Asthma UK’s flu vaccine page.
Many people living with a respiratory condition can also get the pneumococcal vaccine. Find out more about preventing pneumonia from our sister charity the British Lung Foundation.
Our practice is already giving this year’s flu vaccine. Because of COVID-19 all GP practices will be doing things slight differently – have a look at your practice’s website or speak to a member of the practice team to find out how you can get yours. If you think you may be able to have the pneumonia vaccine do ask about that too.
Doing the right things
As a GP I take every opportunity to encourage people to be as active as they can, to stop smoking and to keep their alcohol within recommended limits. These can make a massive difference to people’s physical and mental health, and we know that making these changes makes people more resistant to infections.
Also, make sure you keep your house well heated and wrap up warm when you go out. There’s more advice (including advice on getting help with heating costs) here.
Look after your lung condition
Make sure that you’re taking any preventative medicines for your asthma, COPD or other lung conditions regularly, as it’s been prescribed. Even if you’ve got out of the habit of taking your inhalers regularly, start taking them now. In asthma, preventer medicines take a little time to build up in the lungs, so the sooner you get into a good routine the more likely you’ll develop some protection.
Know what to do
Everyone with a lung condition should have a written plan of what to do if they start to become unwell. It’s really important that people don’t delay seeking help. For most people the earlier a flare-up is treated, the easier it is to treat (and avoid hospital), and the quicker they can get back to normal.
Download an asthma action plan here
Although all GP practices are open now, you will find them working differently since coronavirus started. Because we’re trying to reduce any possible spread of infection to other patients and our staff we’re trying to reduce the number of people who come into clinics and to reduce their contact with other people. The doctors and nurses at our practice are speaking to everyone on the phone first if they request an appointment. Some of our patients are then being seen by video consultation and some face-to-face. It seems to be working well for most people – it’s really surprised me how well some of our patients (and doctors and nurses to be honest!) have got used to this way of working.
Look after yourselves.
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