Lots of people with coronavirus (COVID-19) have experienced mild, or even zero symptoms, but can still spread the virus. With regular self-testing now available, we can slow the spread and help protect the most vulnerable in our communities. With this in mind, a crucial step towards doing this has proved to be carrying out home testing as and when it is required.

 

In this blog, we will guide you through what you need to know before taking an at-home test for

Coronavirus and what steps you need to take to do the test. As well as this, we offer advice on how to register for a home testing kit yourself.

 

We also list some of the key symptoms of COVID-19 to help you better understand whether you may need to take a test or not, and consider some of the reasons why you might benefit from a home test.

 

Ordering a PCR Test

 

If you have any of the following coronavirus symptoms, whether they are mild, use this service to get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as soon as feasibly possible:

 

●     A high temperature

●     A new, continuous cough

●     You’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

●     You can order a PCR test kit to be sent to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site.

 

If you have any of these symptoms, you and everyone you live with need to immediately self-isolate. Do not leave home until you get your test results, except to post a test kit or for a PCR test appointment.

 

Getting a PCR test if you have no symptoms

 

You might not necessarily have any of the above symptoms, however, you can still justify using one if any of the following apply to you:

 

●     you’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive

●     you’ve been asked to get a test by a local council or someone from NHS Test and Trace

●     a GP or other health professional has asked you to get a test

●     you’re taking part in a government pilot project

●     you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result

●     you’ve received an unclear result and were told to get a second test

●     you need to get a test for someone you live with who has symptoms

●     you’re in the National Tactical Response Group.

 

You can order a PCR test via the gov.uk website by carrying out a short questionnaire.

 

Taking an at home test

 

PCR tests are by and large intended for people with symptoms of coronavirus. The swab is then sent to a lab in order to get the required results. There is a different process for a PCR test as opposed to a lateral flow test.

 

If you don’t actually possess any symptoms of COVID-19 but have any reason to believe you may have come into contact with someone with COVID-19 or otherwise, you can order a rapid lateral flow test and follow the instructions to do so at home. There are separate instructions for this set out on the NHS official website. 

 

Coronavirus testing instructions - PCR Test

 

For reassurance, you will be given detailed instructions with your test kit. If you're doing the test at a test site and need support, a trained helper can guide you through the overall process.

 

These are the main steps for doing a PCR test:

 

●     Wash your hands with soap or use some hand sanitiser.

●     Layout all the items in the test kit on a clean and sanitized surface.

●     Blow your nose and wash your hands again.

●     Open your mouth wide and rub the swab over your tonsils.

●      Avoid the end of the swab touching your teeth, tongue and gums.

●     Put the same swab inside your nose (about 2.5cm up or until you feel resistance).

●     Put the swab facing down into the tube and screw the lid tightly.

●     Put the tube in the bag provided.

●     Taking a sample may be uncomfortable and make you gag, but it should not hurt.

 

Doing a PCR test on someone else

 

If you're doing a PCR test on someone else, it might help to:

 

●     Talk them through the steps.

●     Stay calm.

●     Get another person to help you.

●     Use a torch to see their tonsils (or where they would have been).

●     Get them to say "ahhhhhhh" out loud to see into their mouth properly. 

●     Stop doing the test if the person becomes distressed.

 

However, you must use a separate test kit for each person you are doing a test on.

 

Sending the test to a lab

 

If you do the test at a test site, they will send the swab to the lab on your behalf. If you're posting a home test kit, you should only post it in a Royal Mail priority postbox. Do not send it to a Post Office or post it in a non-priority postbox.

 

Coronavirus Testing - ordering or booking a test by phone

 

If you have problems or cannot use the online service, call 119. Lines are open from 7 am to 11 pm.

Symptoms of COVID-19

 

The main symptoms of coronavirus COVID-19 are:

 

●     An increased or high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

●     A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

●     A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you can’t smell or taste anything. Alternatively, things smell or taste different than they normally would.

 

COVID-19 symptoms in children

 

Children can get COVID-19, but they tend to get it less often than adults and it's often less serious.

 

The symptoms of COVID-19 for children are:

 

●     A high temperature

●     A new, continuous cough

●     A loss or change to a sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste differently than normal.

 

NHS GP - Register with us for coronavirus testing and COVID-19 advice

 

If you’re concerned about COVID-19 or think you may have the disease or need advice about how to get tested, register with us today and we can provide you with a range of useful services. Our COVID-19 advice services support you if you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. We can also offer you coronavirus home testing kits so you can be certain whether you have COVID-19 to help you determine whether your cough is anything to be worried about.

 

As well as all of this, we can also provide NHS coronavirus help to support you during your recovery and keep you up to date with all of the latest advice from the NHS and the government. When registering with us, you have access to four surgeries across North West London in Wembley, Alperton, Willesden and Queen’s Park. Register today for NHS coronavirus testing and much more. Contact us for more information. 

How to Tell if You Have Diabetes

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 28 September 2022
Diabetes isn’t an uncommon illness, but it can be serious and result in your having to change your lifestyle. There are two different kinds of diabetes, and the main difference between them is that type 1 is genetic, whereas type 2 diabetes can be down to your lifestyle and will develop over time, rather than showing up in an earlier stage of your life. It is important to know what the symptoms of diabetes are so that you can address the problem sooner rather than later, so below are some of the key things to look out for and when you should see a doctor. What are the Symptoms? If you want to know how to tell if you have diabetes, these are common indicators that you might have developed this problem. The need to urinate frequently, or feeling thirsty and/or hungry a lot. You might also notice that you experience extreme fatigue, weight loss, tingling sensation, or pain in your hands and feet. Cuts and bruises might also take longer to heal than they have done in the past. Some people might also experience blurred vision or find that they are getting thrush in the genital area repeatedly. You may want to refer to a self help service to check symptoms if you are concerned. What Should You Do? If you are concerned that you have diabetes, the first thing to do is make an appointment with your doctor. They can arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels, as this can be a great indicator of whether or not you have diabetes and can be one of the first warning signs. High blood sugar can be treated with lifestyle changes, and you may need to take insulin at times too. Your doctor can talk you through how to manage your diabetes more effectively, or look at NHS GP for more information. They may even refer you to specialist centers for disease control for further support and guidance. Who is at a Higher Risk? If you do have a history of type 1 diabetes in your family, then you are more likely to develop this condition, too. However, for type 2 diabetes, those at a higher risk include people who have a diet that is high in fats and sugars and are overweight. Your risk also increases the older you get, with a lot of people developing this when they are over 40. This is why it is important to monitor high levels of blood sugar and get this tested if you are concerned. Lifestyle Changes for Diabetics If you do have type 2 diabetes, there are some things you can do at home to help this. The first step is to look at moving to a healthier lifestyle and eating a more balanced diet with reduced sugar. Remember to be careful with carbs, too, as these can turn into sugar in your body. You might also want to think about getting more exercise to help you lose weight which can be beneficial.  If you are worried about whether or not you have developed diabetes, contact your doctor as soon as possible to take the necessary tests.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 25 August 2022
What is PTSD? Learn about the symptoms of PTSD and what to do if you think you or a loved one has this psychiatric disorder. PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that occurs after a traumatic event or prolonged trauma over time. Historically, it became known as “shell shock”, which many soldiers experienced after combat in the world wars. However, any kind of trauma can lead to this disorder, such as: Accidents Assault Abuse Illness or injury (either yourself or a loved one) The death of a loved one Going through these experiences does not being you will definitely experience PTSD. A traumatic event or prolonged trauma might trigger the disorder in one person and not another, and it has not been determined exactly why. One suggestion is that those suffering from PTSD have high-stress hormone levels, though this isn’t always the case. If you think you or a loved one might have PTSD, it’s crucial to understand the symptoms and seek medical help to process the memories and reduce symptoms over time. Below are the most common symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Flashbacks of Trauma After experiencing a traumatic event, many people feel sad, scared, and anxious, and these symptoms tend to improve naturally over a few weeks. In people with PTSD, these symptoms last far longer and can produce one of the most common symptoms associated with post traumatic stress disorder: flashbacks. Flashbacks make a person with PTSD experience the traumatic event over and over again in their mind. Often, the flashback is very vivid and causes high levels of panic and anxiety, and can even become debilitating in severe cases. Frequent Nightmares People with PTSD usually experience frequent nightmares, often of the traumatic event or events that they have been through. These nightmares cause elevated stress levels and can lead to further issues, like sleeping difficulties and insomnia. Extreme Anxiety Anxiety is a symptom of multiple mental health issues, including PTSD. After experiencing trauma, a person with PTSD will often feel extreme anxiety in their day-to-day life. They Avoidance It is common for people living with PTSD to avoid anything associated with the traumatic event they experienced, which often includes people, places or activities. It is common for sufferers to even withdraw from their friends and family. Over time, this can make their symptoms even worse as they continue to isolate themselves. Intrusive Thoughts Intrusive thoughts involve upsetting and confusing thoughts that those with PTSD wish would disappear. Typically, these thoughts lead to feelings of guilt and upset. Without treatment, these intrusive thoughts are difficult to manage and might worsen over time in some cases. Irritability or Anger Many people with PTSD become irritable or angry, which can lead to reckless behaviour. This behaviour might cause them to damage their relationships. Extreme anger may also be a sign of complex PTSD, which is caused by long-term trauma rather than a single event. PTSD in Children Children can get PTSD just like adults. The symptoms may look different, though. If you suspect your child has PTSD, here are the signs to look out for: Reliving the traumatic event Angry outbursts Nightmares Fear and/or sadness Seek Help for PTSD When experiencing symptoms like this, it’s important to see mental health specialists in order to determine the cause. Then, these mental health professionals can provide appropriate treatment to help the patient manage and improve their symptoms over time, whether through therapy or medication, or a combination of both. If you think you or your loved one is experiencing PTSD, book an appointment with your NHS GP as soon as possible. Help is available, and nobody has to carry on suffering with their symptoms.

How to Improve Student Mental Health

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 18 August 2022
Student life can be rough. If you feel as though your mental health is beginning to suffer as a result, here are some tips that may be able to help.