Experts are warning that the country can expect a new wave of Covid-19 infections this winter.
While this sounds concerning, knowing more about the new Covid wave in Australia will help you to prepare.
That’s why we’ve written this article — so you can take charge of your and your family’s health this season.
What’s the current situation?
Health experts have reported an increasing number of Covid-19 infections recently, and there could be more to come.
They say this is because some people aren’t getting their booster vaccines. What’s more, the new Omicron subvariants are very infectious and can escape protection from previous infection and vaccination too.
This means that you can experience Covid-19 just a few weeks after an initial reinfection.
The good news is that people with the new strains of Covid-19 aren’t generally experiencing severe disease.
This is partly down to the protection that vaccination can give you. Patients are also responding well to Covid-19 treatments and antiviral medicine.
What are the symptoms of the new wave of Covid-19?
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Aches and pains
- Mild fever
- Loss of smell or taste
Moderate symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fever of above 38 °C that does not respond to treatment
- Cough that gets worse
- Feeling weak or dizzy
The following symptoms are described as severe:
- Breathlessness, even when you are resting
- Loss of consciousness
- Blue or pale skin
- Cold or clammy to the touch
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Confusion
- Passing less or no urine
- Coughing up blood
If you have any symptoms linked to Covid-19, you should get tested and stay at home until you get a negative result.
If your symptoms are mild, you should be able to manage them at home. But you should call your GP if your symptoms are getting worse, if you are pregnant or if you have a chronic health condition.
And if your symptoms become severe, you or a caregiver should dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance and tell the operator that you have tested positive for Covid-19.
What can I do to prepare?
It’s important to know how to avoid both getting infected with Covid-19 and passing infections on to others.
Make sure you stay on schedule with your vaccinations. The government has urged Australians to get up-to-date with their Covid-19 and flu vaccinations. In their Take On Winter campaign, they’ve been reminding people that it’s OK to take both vaccinations at the same time and that having your jabs is one of the best ways to stop you from falling sick.
In fact, if you have your Covid-19 booster now, your chances of getting an infection are halved.
Know that you can get reinfected with Covid even if you had it just a few weeks ago. So if you experience symptoms, be sure to test and isolate if necessary.
In some areas, people are being advised to wear face masks in indoor spaces and on public transport.
Don’t forget about hand hygiene. It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water frequently, for at least 20 seconds. You can also use hand sanitiser when you’re out and about to help keep your hands germ-free.
When you cough or sneeze, be sure to catch it in the inside of your elbow or in a tissue, which should be disposed of immediately.
What else do I need to know about keeping healthy in winter?
Infections, including Covid-19, flu and colds, are more common in the winter months. Here’s what you can do to boost your immunity and stay healthy:
- Stay physically active. Try to exercise every day and aim for 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate activity every week.
- Eat healthily. Include lots of fruit and vegetables in your diet to get a boost of vitamins and minerals. Avoid processed and sugary food that can make you feel sluggish.
- Don’t forget to keep hydrated too — it’s just as important in winter as in summer. It will help your body get rid of toxins and keep those nasty bugs at bay.
- As we’ve mentioned earlier, keep on schedule with any vaccinations recommended by your doctor — it’s one of the best ways to protect yourself against infection.
The peace of mind to enjoy the season
While new strains of Covid-19 are on the rise, there is a lot you can do to protect yourself and your family from falling sick.
The FeverMates range of wellbeing products are there to help you make proactive choices about your family’s health.
So make sure you are fully stocked up on items like face masks and hand sanitiser this winter to avoid catching and spreading infections. This will give you the peace of mind to enjoy this wonderful time of year!