I've developed viral symptoms or flu

If you have high temperature new continuous cough loss or change of smell or taste then you should self-isolate as defined above.

Common symptoms for coronavirus (as with other viral illnesses) include: fever. dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, bone or joint pain, sore throat, headache, chills. Loss of sense of smell (and taste) is also an increasingly recognised symptom).

If you do develop viral symptoms, you could have a viral illness like flu, a flu-like illness or coronavirus.

You do not automatically need to call or see a GP just because you have a viral illness.

There is no specific cure for viral illnesses like flu, or for coronavirus for that matter. Any treatment aims to relieve symptoms only, which for a viral illness includes rest, paracetamol and plenty of fluids.

Advice on viral illness

How to treat symptoms at home

Find out what to do if you are getting worse

Staying at home guidance

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

See Why can't I come to surgery?

Next time, please consider having a flu jab if you are eligible

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Can't you just check me out?

If you have a high temperature new continuous cough loss or change of smell or taste then you should self-isolate as defined above.

Your GP cannot 'check you' to tell you if it definitely is coronavirus or not and your GP does not have any access to testing. You need to get a coronavirus test if you have symptoms.

Given community spread of coronavirus, you might well have it if you develop the above symptoms. It is therefore very important that you self-isolate to prevent further spread of infection. This is to protect yourself and others. Please do not come to surgery.

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus, antibiotics do not help.

Find out what to do if you are getting worse

Book a PCR covid test

Staying at home guidance

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

See Why can't I come to surgery?

Next time, please consider having a flu jab if you are eligible

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Am I classed as vulnerable (moderate risk) for coronavirus? SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-vulnerable

In general, those more vulnerable to complications on contracting coronavirus are those patients who are over 70, have underlying long-term conditions, or pregnant women.

If you are eligible to have a flu jab on medical grounds each year, then you are likely classed as vulnerable.

Those classed as vulnerable will not receive any notification from the NHS or from their GP. If you fall into a vulnerable group, you are strongly advised to follow social distancing guidance.

Whatever medical condition you have, the best way to remain well is to avoid catching it in the first place.

Staying safe guidance

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

Five things you can do to protect yourself and your community

Find out more about getting help at home.

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Am I classed as extremely vulnerable (very high risk) for coronavirus (shielding group)? SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-veryhighrisk

Shielding has ended - display our previous guidance on this matter.

Shielded patients guidance

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I need someone to help me at home SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-needhelp

You have several options on getting help if you are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable:

• Derbyshire Community Response Unit - find out more
• Amber Valley Community Voluntary Service - find out more
• Request an NHS volunteer via GoodSAM - find out more
• Find your local Covid-19 Mutual Aid group - find out more
• Contact the Royal Voluntary Service - find out more
• Official government website - find out more

Download all the above links as a document you can print out.

Information for carers can be found on our Carers page

Get help and support

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Where can I volunteer to help in the efforts against coronavirus?

Your NHS needs you!

NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak. To do this the NHS needs an 'army' of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well.

Find out more about NHS Volunteer Responders .

See also Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK which co-ordinates neighbourly initiatives and has lists of local groups in your area,.

The Royal Voluntary Service is a national charity built on local volunteering giving support to the people that need it in hospitals and communities.

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I want a test for coronavirus! SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-test

If you have a high temperature new continuous cough loss or change of smell or taste then you need to book a PCR covid test as described below and you should self-isolate.

There are two types of tests, lab PCR covid tests and rapid lateral flow slide tests as described below.

Lab PCR covid tests

Don't use a lateral flow test if you have symptoms. They are not designed for those with symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms (including children) needs to get a PCR covid test for coronavirus.

If you have symptoms, self-isolate until you get your results. Do not leave home, except to post a test kit or for a PCR test appointment.

Book a PCR test and the swab is sent to a lab for testing. You should get the results fairly quickly, generally within 24 hours.

Book a PCR covid test

Ring 119 to request a test if you have no internet access - however, in our experience, you may have better success gettting a test if you use the online service (or ask someone who can request a test on your behalf), rather than ring up

Find out what to do next

Order tests for care home

Find out the difference between PCR covid tests and lateral flow tests

Rapid lateral flow slide tests

Lateral flow tests are rapid slide tests for screening of people who have no symptoms.

Up to 30% of patients with coronavirus have no symptoms and lateral flow tests are designed to find these cases.

You should be provided with free lateral flow tests as part of your workplace, employment or educational setting and should test regularly as instructed. You can also order tests by following the link below.

Do not use lateral flow tests if you have covid symptoms. Book a PCR covid test instead.

If you have a positive lateral flow test, you need to book a PCR covid test to confirm the result.

Order lateral flow test kits

Report a lateral flow test result

Find out what to do next

Find out the difference between PCR covid tests and lateral flow tests

After doing your test

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

Find out how to treat symptoms

Find out what to do if you are getting worse

Read about your test result

How long to self-isolate for

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Staying at home guidance

See Why can't I come to surgery?

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I want the covid vaccination

Please visit our new website page which we have set up to provide the latest information on covid vaccination.

Covid vaccination page SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-vacc

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I have a query about school SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-school

General information

Schools, colleges and other educational settings are working very hard to review the government guidelines alongside their own risks assessments to determine the safety of a phased reopening of their institution.

These measures are overseen by the head teacher, the senior leadership and appropriate governing body (or equivalent) for each school’s individual circumstances.

Parents/carers need to work with schools if they have individual concerns about their child.

It is the parents' and carers' choice as to whether they feel it is safe, and not for a GP to decide.

Teachers and other employed staff will also need to work with schools if they have concerns about their own health and whether they can safely return to face-to-face work.

GPs have not been provided with additional/specific guidance regarding decision making for staff or students beyond current public health measures.

Shielded and vulnerable children

Please follow guidance from the Royal Collage of Paediatrics and Child Health

GP letters or notes

GPs will not be issuing notes or letters on behalf of parents or carers if they do not wish to send their child to school or their child is shielding for themselves, or to protect family members who are shielding and/or vulnerable.

In addition, GPs will not be issuing notes or letters to confirm over-the-counter medicines, or prescribe them so that schools or nurses have an 'official' record of a prescription for them to administer.

The Department for Education has confirmed to the BMA that a prescription is not required and non-prescription medication can be administered where parents have given written consent.

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request such letters pr prescriptions from us.

BMA guidance on over-the-counter medicines

What if my child has a cold/virus?

With children returning the school, the usual coughs and colds will start to circulate again. Current advice is that children do not need a covid-test and do not need to self-isolate if they are simply suffering from a common cold.

Symptoms frequently seen with common colds are runny or blocked nose, aches and pains, sneezing and sore throat. Adults and children with a common cold are generally not acutely unwell.

If a child is more poorly with a heavy cold, then they might need a day or two off to recover. Keep off school as you would have done pre-covid.

If a child has definite coronavirus symptoms with high temperature new continuous cough loss or change of smell or taste then you must follow the guidance and self-isolate and test as above.

Other viruses will circulate during winter as they did before coronavirus; we advise that parents follow the guidance on viral illness as above. There is no need to contact a GP because your child has a cold or sniffles, unless they are unwell.

If your child is under the care of a paediatric specialist or was previously shielding due to a long-term health problem, then we advise you to seek specialist advice, or you should follow any advice previously received.

Download our leaflet How can I tell if my child is poorly

Advice on coronavirus in children

Other information

Guidance note from Derbyshire LMC for parents

Guidance for parents and carers

Guidance on school opening

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How do I treat my coronavirus infection?SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-treat

You should be following directions for self-isolating as described above.

If you are a confirmed case of coronavirus and your symptoms are mild, you will be advised to self-isolate at home. If you have a more severe case, you might be transferred to and cared for in hospital.

You may have fever, cough or breathlessness or general viral symptoms or only mild or even no symptoms.

There is no specific cure for coronavirus. Any treatment aims to relieve symptoms only, which for a viral illness includes rest, paracetamol and plenty of fluids.

How to treat symptoms at home

Advice on viral illness

Staying at home guidance

Find out what to do if you are getting worse

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

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I'm self-isolating but getting worse SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-worse

Use 111 online service or ring 111 if no online access:

• If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• If your condition gets worse
• If your symptoms do not get better after 10 days

Examples of getting worse might be:

• You become so short of breath that you cannot climb stairs
• You cannot finish speaking a sentence
• You have stopped doing all the things you usually do

Ring 999 if you are very poorly, and inform them of your symptoms and that you are self-isolating.

Need more advice?

How to treat symptoms at home

Use 111 online service if you are feeling worse. Please do not come to surgery.

Staying at home guidance

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

See Why can't I come to surgery?

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Can I have chloroquine / dexamethasone / vitamin D?

Current guidance is that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine should be used only as part of a clinical trial for the treatment of coronavirus.

Dexamethasone is approved to treat all UK hospitalised COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen, including those on ventilators, from June 16, 2020.

If you do not already take such medication, we kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request them.

Vitamin D is sent directly from the government to shielded patients.

We will not prescribe the treatments to you. Repeat prescriptions will continue to be issued to those existing patients with current clinical need for these medications and for licensed purposes only.

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I'm self-isolating as advised, what happens at the end?

You should be following directions for self-isolating as described above.

After 10 days, if you feel better and no longer have a high temperature, you can return to normal activity.

If you still have a high temperature, continue to self-isolate until your temperature returns to normal.

You may still have a cough for some weeks after, this is normal. It does not mean you have to stay at home for more than 10 days.

If you do not get any better, continue to self-isolate and 111 online service. Please do not come to surgery.

Need more advice?

Use 111 online service to find out what to do next. Please do not come to surgery.

how long to self-isolate

Staying at home guidance

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

See Why can't I come to surgery?

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I'm not going to self-isolate, I feel fine

If you have a high temperature new continuous cough loss or change of smell or taste then you should self-isolate as described above.

You could be fined if you do not self-isolate following a notification by NHS Test and Trace

Whilst in yourself, you might feel not too bad, and wonder what the fuss is about, there is a risk those who get coronavirus will have severe disease and some will need intensive or critical care.

It is therefore vital to self-isolate so that you do not spread infection to others in the community, some of whom may be vulnerable:

Self-isolation means exactly that, you must not leave your home. Please do not come to surgery.

Need more advice?

Use 111 online service to find out what to do next. Please do not come to surgery.

Staying at home guidance

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

See Why can't I come to surgery?

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I'm self-isolating so I need a sick note SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-isolationnote

In a situation such as this, self-isolation would be advised officially by 111 or Public Health for contact with a confirmed case, or a suspected case, or whilst awaiting results of a coronavirus test.

By law, a doctor's fit note (sick note or MED 3) is not required for the first seven days of sickness absence.

After seven days, a doctor's note may be required - it is actually for the employer to determine what evidence is required, if any, which may or may not be a doctor's note.

The government strongly suggests that employers use their discretion around the need for medical evidence for a period of absence where an employee is advised to self-isolate in accordance with Public Health advice being issued by the government.

This means that a doctor's note will not necessarily be required. Please download this information sheet .

111 isolation note service

Emergency legislation is being brought in to allow employees to claim statutory sick pay from the first day off work in order to help contain coronavirus.

Please note, if you are not following any official 111 or Public Health guidance to self-isolate, but you have made the decision yourself to do so, you are not entitled to a doctor's note at all in this situation.

For queries regarding requests for GP letters related to the coronavirus pandemic, please see our GP letters section immediately below.

Guidance on working safely

Staying at home guidance

Keeping safe while isolating at home

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

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I need a GP letter SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-gpletter

I need a GP letter because I'm not going on holiday now

If you have changed your mind and decide not to go on holiday, you do not need a letter from the GP.

Insurers and travel companies should be basing their decisions to offer refunds on advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Public Health England, not letters from GPs. Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request such letters from us.

Please check foreign travel advice

Please check foreign travel advice by country

Please check our forms and documents policy where it states that we are happy to complete travel cancellation forms if we have been attending you for medical conditions for which we have advised that you cancel or postpone your holiday. We will not write a letter for any other reason.

If you are going away, please check out this infographic guide on staying safe.

I need a GP letter because my boss at work says so

If you need a note for your employer because you are self-isolating due to coronavirus or have coronavirus in your household, please see our information on self-isolation notes or use the shortcut ivy.gs/covid-isolationnote. We will not supply sick notes for self-isolation purposes.

If you are in the shielding group, you will have received a text or letter from the NHS or ourselves about this. You can use this letter as evidence for your employer or others, and there is no need for a further letter from us to confirm your status.

GPs are not in a position to perform or sign-off on any risk assessment for you in your workplace - this is your employer's responsibility.

GPs are not in a position to authorise any return to work or home-working plan - this is for your employer or the human resources or occupational health department.

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request such letters from us.

Should your employer need specific medical information about you or a formal report about your condition, we will be able to provide such information to them if we are provided with a copy of your written consent. Such information will be subject to a fee as this is private work not covered by normal NHS service.

I need a GP letter because of schooling

GPs are not in a position to provide letters for schooling.

Please see our dedicated section regarding coronavirus and schooling or use the shortcut ivy.gs/covid-school.

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request such letters from us.

I need a GP letter to exempt me from wearing a face covering/mask

GPs are not in a position to provide individual risk assessments or letters for patients to authorise any exemption from wearing a mask.

Face coverings are not to protect you. However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with. From a public health point of view, we cannot authorise you to not wear a mask where it is deemed appropriate or regulated by law.

The legislation states that: No person may, without reasonable excuse, enter or remain within a relevant place (e.g., shops, public transport) without wearing a face covering. The only reasonable excuses for medical purposes for not wearing masks are if someone cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering— (i) because of any physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010), or (ii) without severe distress.

At no point does the legislation or any other regulation require GPs to provide letters of confirmation of these conditions, or to authorise exemption from wearing a mask and we therefore politely decline such requests for letters. Self-declaration is sufficient and patients wishing to do so may download and use the resources indicated below.

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request face covering exemption letters from us.

Download a Derbyshire LMC information sheet

Guidance on face coverings

Print face covering exemption card

Download face covering exemption file for mobile

I need a GP letter because I need to self-isolate before hospital admission

This issue has nothing to do with GPs regardless of who has requested this letter. You have various options:

• The admission letter from the hospital should be sufficient evidence for an employer.
• Go to the isolation note service and declare 'yes' to the question: “Have you been told to self-isolate by an NHS service or a healthcare professional?” and if you then tick the box that says “I have been told to self-isolate by a test and trace service” they will be able to get a self-isolation note sent to you.
• Download this template letter for your employer.

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request such letters from us.

I need a GP letter because the DVLA has told me to ask the GP to declare that I am fit to drive

We understand that due to the pandemic, DVLA have a backlog with licence renewals so are advising people they may be able to continue to drive under section 88 of the Road Traffic Act. This may allow you to continue driving even though you do not hold a current driving licence. In practice, this will be when you have applied to the DVLA to renew your licence, but the licence expires while they are processing the application.

However, DVLA are advising people that in order to meet these criteria a GP must document their fitness to drive and a number of practices have received such requests.

The declaration that an applicant is fit to drive must be made by the applicant NOT the GP (s92 of the Road Traffic Act).

Any medical decision about fitness to drive is made by the DVLA in-house medical team, not GPs.

It is not the responsibility of GPs to help DVLA clear their backlog.

We kindly ask that you do not book an appointment to request such letters from us.

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I've had coronavirus - what advice can you give me?

You may have residual symptoms after having had coronavirus infection. This is a new condition and more information regarding after effects of infection are emerging.

Please see our dedicated section regarding post-covid recovery or use the shortcut ivy.gs/covid-postcovid or ivy.gs/postcovid.

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I'm well, but worried about coronavirus

If you are well, the best way to remain well is to avoid catching it in the first place.

This advice applies whatever medical condition you have.

Follow precautions to prevent spread of infection

Five things you can do to protect yourself and your community

Keep up with updates on coronavirus with the links below or follow this page. We will try to keep this page regularly updated with the changing guidance, as long as we've not been taken out by someone infecting us.

We will aim to keep this page regularly updated with the changing guidance, as long as we've not been taken out by someone infecting us, so please do not come to surgery if you have it.

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All this coronavirus is affecting my mental health!

These are very anxious times for everybody.

Because this virus is entirely new, no-one physically, or figuratively, is immune from its effects.

Everybody has been affected in some way, be it, with colleagues self-isolating or sick, with workplace changes, with national lockdown. One cannot help but be moved by the tragic stories we hear all around the world.

If you feel you need more help and support, please visit the mental health section of our General Practice 2.0 page or use the shortcut ivy.gs/covid-mentalhealth. We have built this page specially to help those who are struggling with their mental health during this current crisis.

For general mental health support, please visit our self-help and self-referral page or use the shortcut ivy.gs/mentalhealth. We have built this page specially to help any patient with mental health issues.

NHS staff who are finding their mental health is being affected during this pandemic can visit a special section on this page for staff, or use the ivy.gs/covid-staffhealth.

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