Category Archives: Practice News

Measles Alert!!

Measles Alert!

The numbers of measles cases continue to increase in NSW.

What are the symptoms?

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness which begins with a cough, fever, sore red eyes and runny nose. After three to four days a non-itchy red spotty rash will occur on your face and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.

People who are experiencing signs and symptoms of measles should seek medical attention.

What should I do if I think I have measles?

Call ahead to the practice and ask to speak to the nurse. She will triage your symptoms and give you further instructions to limit exposure if you need to come to the doctor. You should not sit in the waiting room without letting anyone know.

How is it spread?

Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.

People are at risk of measles if they are exposed to an infectious case and have never had measles or have not received two doses of measles containing vaccine. Two doses of measles containing vaccine provide lifelong protection against infection in 99% of people. Most people born before 1966 are assumed to be immune to measles.

Can I get measles vaccination?

  • If you are between 25 and 53 years of age, you may be eligible for a vaccine booster.
  • Children in Australia are vaccinated at 12 and 18 months years of age.
  • If you have upcoming overseas travel plans, you should talk to your doctor.

For more information, please make an appointment with your GP.

Fee Increase

 

ATTENTION PATIENTS

As of 14 January 2019 our Private Fees will Increase slightly.

Bulk billing is still available for pre-booked appointments between Monday and Friday.

Private fees apply to booked appointments on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, Walk In patients and for those patients without a valid Medicare Card.

 

Travel Clinic

Going Overseas?

Visit our Travel Clinic.

Book an appointment with one of our GPs to discuss your medical travel needs. Vaccines should be given 4-6 weeks before departure.

We stock all common travel vaccines and are Yellow Fever Accredited.

Updates in Fee Schedule

There have been some changes in our fee schedule starting from the 15th October 2018. These changes will affect walk-ins, weekend and Public Holiday appointments and students without Medicare.

Please review our current schedule here.

The Ins-and-Outs of PrEP

WHAT IS PrEP?

“PrEP” stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, with “prophylaxis” meaning “to prevent or control the spread of an infection or disease.” PrEP is a new HIV prevention method in which people who do not have HIV infection take a pill daily to reduce their risk of becoming HIV infected. The pill is contains two antiviral medicines that are also used to treat people who already have HIV infection. These are the same drugs used to suppress the virus in people living with HIV.

WHO SHOULD TAKE PrEP?

The effectiveness of using HIV antiretroviral drugs as PrEP has been established by clinical trials conducted in gay men, heterosexual adults and injecting drug users. PrEP can be considered for people in these populations who are at high risk of acquiring HIV, such as gay and other homosexually active men who are having multiple events of condomless sex.

HOW DO I START?

You will need to see a GP who will chat to you about your sexual history and discuss PrEP to see if it’s right for you. If you are eligible to start PrEP, the doctor will provide you with a script which can be filled at your local pharmacy for a subsidised price.

REGULAR MONITORING & FOLLOW UP.

People taking PrEP medication need to have a check-up every 3 months when STI & HIV testing together with a blood test for kidney & liver function will be done.
More Information is available here

2018 Flu Vaccine Now Available

Flu-Shot

RANDWICK DOCTORS MEDICAL IS NOW OFFERING ALL 2018 FLU VACCINES.

You will need to book an appointment with one of our doctors to receive the vaccine. Please be aware there is a $20 fee for the vaccine unless you are eligible for one of the government-funded vaccines.

FLU VACCINE MYTHS  (ALSO DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR!)

Myth: Getting a flu shot every year weakens your immune system.
Fact: The vaccine prepares and boosts your immune system to help fight the virus if you are exposed to it. People who get the flu shot every year are better protected against flu than those who do not get vaccinated.

Myth: The vaccine doesn’t work because I got vaccinated last year and still got the flu
Fact: There are many different strains of flu and one vaccine cannot protect against them all. The vaccine contains the most common strains of flu expected to occur in Australia each year. As these strains may change each year, a person needs to get vaccinated every year to be protected against new strains. The vaccine takes up to two weeks to work. It is important to remember that the vaccine does not contain any ‘live’ strains of the viruses and cannot give you the flu. For those who get the flu, despite being vaccinated, their illness is usually much less severe. There are also many other illnesses that can cause flu-like illnesses. The flu vaccine does not protect against these illnesses. It may also be possible that you caught the flu virus before, or just after, you were vaccinated.

Myth: I cannot have the flu vaccine while I am pregnant
Fact: Flu vaccinations are recommended in all pregnancies.

Myth: It is not necessary to get immunised against the flu every year because previous vaccinations will protect me
Fact: It is important to get re-vaccinated against flu every year as the flu strains can change. New vaccines are made each year based on the strains most likely to be present during the coming flu season. Even if the main flu strains do not change, yearly vaccination is still recommended as immunity from flu vaccination is not long lasting. Quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIV) are available in Australia made by different pharmaceutical companies. QIV contain antigens of four virus strains (two influenza A strains and two influenza B strain).

Myth: The flu vaccine is expensive
Fact: The vaccine is available free of charge for people who are considered at increased risk of complications from the flu, e.g. anyone of any age with a chronic illness, children 6mths – 5yrs, adults > 65yrs. Please check with your doctor or reception to see if you are eligible. For all people not eligible for the free flu vaccine we charge only $20 and it is given by an experienced nurse or doctor.

Myth: The flu is not a serious illness
Fact: The Influenza virus can kill. Every year many people lose their lives due to complications after contracting the flu. Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent it. Annual vaccinations before the onset of each flu season are recommended for all persons > 6mths of age. In Australia our peak season is typically June to September.