Managing Winter Illness 

Words by Dr Gill Mark (she/her)

Negative RAT? Stay home anyway—tips on self-care

With the challenges of covid-19 and other viruses like the flu, we are all working really hard at Mauri Ora to ensure we can provide care for those who need medical care. Covid has put a real strain on everyone’s resources. Thanks for the important role you continue to play in taking care of yourselves and others this winter. Get ready by reading this and ensuring you have the things you need at home to get you through.

You know this already, but it’s important. Stay well this winter by making sure you’re fully immunised for covid and flu. Keep as warm as you can, stay active, eat healthily, and avoid drugs, alcohol, or smoking. If your friends are sick, encourage them to stay home. Wear a mask in public places, cover coughs and sneezes, and sanitise hands frequently. You can also prepare ahead of time and make up a pack with your regular medications, paracetamol, tissues, alcohol hand gel, masks, rehydration sachets, nose sprays, etc (from your local pharmacy or supermarket).

‘She’ll be right’, usually. Colds, the flu, and covid can all have similar symptoms including fever, aches, tiredness, sore throat, cough, runny nose, and upset tummy. Most people with colds, flu, and covid fully recover with self-care—antibiotics are not required.

When you are sick, to look after yourself and others, rest and STAY AT HOME until you are fully recovered. It’s not ok to come on campus when you’re sick unless it’s for important medical care. Hydrate yourself and consult a pharmacist for ‘over the counter’ pain relief, throat lozenges, and nose spray. Do a RAT test (unless you’ve already had covid in the last four weeks), and remember a negative RAT test doesn’t mean you are good to go, it means there’s no evidence of covid yet. Still  stay home whilst you are unwell. You may need to repeat this test if you remain unwell, and RATs can turn positive after several days of symptoms.

If you test positive for covid, please register your result on your My Covid Record and follow the advice given. If you think you’re eligible for the antiviral paxlovid, contact your medical provider promptly to discuss.

So when did they say to call for help?

If you:

  • Have a sore throat and are Māori or Pasifika

  • Experience sudden worsening of symptoms

  • Experience difficulty breathing or persistent pain on breathing

  • Have persistent chest pain

  • Are coughing blood

  • Have severe shaking due to fevers

  • Experience confusion or significant dizziness

  • Have a stiff neck

  • Have a rash that looks like bruising spots

  • Are no longer passing urine

  • Are covid positive and pregnant

If it seems like an emergency or life threatening, don’t hesitate to call 111.

Useful links

  • Prepare - https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/media/15075/pow-aotearoa-final.pdf

  • Self-advice -https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/cough-runny-nose-sore-throat/

Mauri Ora Student HealthEditor SalientBatch018