This advice is for general practitioners (GPs) to support the prevention and management of acute respiratory infections (ARI) such as influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for patients with disability, especially people living in a disability care facility or disability group home.
In consultation with their patient, GPs should develop and annually review a care management plan.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and the Council for Intellectual Disability have developed resources to support GPs in completing annual health assessments for people with disability to identify any medical intervention and preventive health care required.
The care plan can include pre-assessment for antiviral medicines for people who are eligible. Pre-assessment is recommended to facilitate prompt treatment. A pre-assessment form and COVID-19 and influenza antiviral medicines fact sheet for clinicians are available.
Consider strategies to help create a safe environment for people who are vulnerable, including:
Ensure patients are up to date with recommended vaccinations, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV. It is generally safe for COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines to be administered on the same day. Please see the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more information.
GPs can work with their patients to consider how they can be tested for respiratory viruses quickly. PCR (nose and throat swab) tests can detect multiple respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 at the same time. Rapid antigen testing can also be used to diagnose COVID-19 quickly; however, PCR tests are more accurate and should be used for those who are at higher risk of severe disease. Some local health districts and some private pathology providers can do in-home PCR testing. For further information, contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 or call the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787.
Most people can manage influenza, RSV or COVID-19 safely at home. If a person with disability tests positive to influenza, RSV or COVID-19, they should be managed based on their clinical needs. If your patient or their carer is concerned, they may call you.
People at higher risk of severe disease may be eligible for antiviral treatments for influenza (oseltamivir) or COVID-19 (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir or molnupiravir). Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and molnupiravir are on the PBS, but oseltamivir is not. There are currently no antivirals approved for use for RSV in Australia. See Develop a care management plan above for further information.