Managing symptoms of a respiratory infection or a positive COVID-19 test result
Our guidance is in line with government guidance.
The UK’s and our position is that the likelihood of being admitted to hospital directly due to COVID-19 infection is greatly reduced in the general population with testing in a health care setting mainly targeted at informing clinical care.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection you no longer have to test for COVID-19, unless you have a condition that means you are potentially eligible for early COVID -19 treatment.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick.
If you have respiratory symptoms and are not providing direct inpatient care to those who are severely immunosuppressed (for staff on Turner ward and Ricky Grant day unit, see relevant section below).
Those who do not provide direct inpatient care to severely immunosuppressed patients, who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work, are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they no longer have a high temperature (if they had one) or until they no longer feel unwell.
You do not have to take a COVID-19 test and should follow the guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19.
If you have a positive COVID-19 test result, regardless of whether you have symptoms, you should follow guidance for the general public who have a positive test result.
Line managers should undertake a risk assessment before patient-facing healthcare staff return to work in-line with normal return to work processes.
On returning to work, you must continue to comply with all relevant infection control precautions, including using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when required to do so.
Events such as an outbreak on the ward or other circumstances may lead to a decision to undertake staff LFD testing in these settings, following risk assessment by the infection prevention and control team. In this situation, staff will be informed regarding criteria for returning to work.
If you are providing direct care to inpatients who are severely immunosuppressed (Turner and Ricky Grant day unit)
If your job primarily involves providing direct inpatient care to severely immunosuppressed patients, who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work, you should take an LFD test as soon as possible.
If the result of this LFD test is negative, you can attend work if you’re well enough to do so and do not have a high temperature.
If the result of this LFD test is positive, you are advised not to attend work for five days from the first day of symptoms. You should only return if you feel well enough to work, and do not have a high temperature. If you’re still displaying respiratory symptoms when you return to work, you should speak to your line manager who should undertake a risk assessment which may include a repeat LFD and/ or redeployment to a lower risk area for up to day 11 after symptoms started, wearing a surgical face mark.
Healthcare staff must continue to comply rigorously with all relevant infection control precautions, including appropriate PPE use.
If you’re in contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19
The advice below is relevant for any similar contact who has respiratory infection symptoms.
If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 you are the highest risk of becoming infected because you’re most likely to have prolonged close contact. If you have stayed overnight in the household of someone with COVID-19 you are also at high risk.
If someone in your household or an overnight contact has had a positive COVID-19 test result it can take up to 10 days for your infection to develop. It is possible to pass on COVID-19 to others, even if you have no symptoms.
While you are attending work, if you are a household or overnight contact of someone with COVID-19 or other respiratory infection (e.g. flu) you must continue to comply rigorously with all relevant infection control precautions.
If your household or overnight contacts of someone with COVID-19 or other respiratory infection (e.g. flu) must continue to comply rigorously with all relevant infection control precautions.
The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and the flu is to get yourself vaccinated. Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations are available for all staff until 15 December 2023. Please visit our winter vaccinations page on ICONetwork for more details, including how to book. Everyone who gets a vaccinated until 15 December 2023 will receive a voucher for 50% off a Lavazza or Costa hot drink at Bayview Restaurant.
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