Stop the spread of respiratory illnesses

ARIs, including flu, COVID-19 and RSV, can significantly disrupt communities and healthcare systems during winter. Severe illness can affect people of all ages, including healthy children and adults. Vaccination helps reduce the spread of ARIs and the severity of illness.

Clinicians should discuss the benefits of vaccination to staff and patients to protect the community and reduce pressure on healthcare services. Encourage patients with ARI symptoms to stay home while unwell and not attend work, school or childcare. Parents and staff should follow school or childcare exclusion rules for children who are unwell or have medical conditions. Let’s protect what matters! 

Infection prevention and control in general practice and primary care

• Implement screening and triage for people with signs or symptoms of ARI.
• Display signage reminding patients about ARI prevention.
• Separate symptomatic patients (for example, designated respiratory clinic times) and provide masks.
• Use outdoor consultations, telehealth or home visits where appropriate.
• Coordinate appointments for vulnerable patients so they can see multiple clinicians in one visit during quieter periods.
• Check ventilation systems are working properly. Consider air purifiers and advice from a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning specialist.
• Ensure staff have appropriate PPE, especially reception and triage staff.
• Consider protective screens for reception counters, floor signage (“stand here”), barriers and other environmental controls to protect staff.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently and implement cleaning protocols.
• Clean shared equipment (including toys) between patients.

Read the current advice from the Queensland Communicable Diseases Branch.