Managing COVID-19 in Winter: When to See a GP

Flu season in Australia generally peaks between June and September, and COVID-19 keeps circulating alongside it. Managing COVID-19 in winter is mostly about knowing your own risk, having a plan before you get sick and acting quickly if you test positive. This guide covers the symptoms, testing and staying home, who should talk to a GP about antiviral medicines, the warning signs that need 000, and the move to an annual COVID-19 vaccine dose from 1 October 2026. It is based on healthdirect and Australian Government advice.

Know the symptoms

According to healthdirect, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath and a changed sense of smell or taste. Other symptoms include tiredness, muscle pains, sore throat, headache, a runny or blocked nose, and chest tightness. Some people have stomach symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea or a reduced appetite, and some have no symptoms at all.

You are generally infectious from 48 hours before symptoms start, and you can stay infectious for as long as you have symptoms, which may be up to 10 days. Because COVID-19 often feels like a cold, a test helps you know what you are dealing with. If a cough is your main worry, our guide to a winter cough covers when to see a GP.

Who is more likely to get very sick

Most people recover within days or weeks, but some are at higher risk of severe illness. The most common conditions that raise that risk are high blood pressure, especially if it is not well controlled, obesity and diabetes. You are also more likely to become very sick if you:

• are 65 or older
• are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with one health condition
• have immune system problems or take medicines that suppress the immune system
• live with chronic lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, some cancers diagnosed in the past 5 years, or certain neurological conditions
• are pregnant, live in residential aged care or have a complex disability

If any of these apply, talk to your GP before you get sick. The Australian Government encourages early discussions about whether antivirals suit you and a personal COVID-19 plan for what to do if you test positive. It fits naturally into a review of your chronic condition management.

Testing and staying home

You can do a rapid antigen test (RAT) at home with a nasal swab, and results usually appear in 10 to 20 minutes. Pharmacies and supermarkets also sell triple RATs that test for COVID-19, flu A and B, and RSV. RATs are less accurate than a PCR test, especially early in an infection; a PCR test needs a visit to your doctor.

If you test positive, stay home from work and keep children home from school or childcare while they are unwell. If you must go out, wear a mask, avoid public transport and keep away from people who are more likely to get very sick. Do not visit hospitals, aged care or disability care for at least 7 days, or until your symptoms have gone.

If you have a healthcare appointment you cannot miss, tell the service in advance that you have COVID-19. Harpley Doctors offers phone consultations for problems that do not need a physical examination; the details are on our patient information page.

Antivirals and when to see a GP

Oral antivirals, nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio), help stop a COVID-19 infection from becoming severe. They are usually prescribed for people at higher risk, need a prescription from a GP or nurse practitioner, and must be started within 5 days of your symptoms starting or a positive test. They are not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, Paxlovid is not suitable with severe kidney or liver disease, and both can affect the contraceptive pill.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment if your symptoms are getting worse or not improving, you have other signs of illness such as a rash, loss of appetite or weakness, or you have had a high temperature for 5 days or more that paracetamol does not bring down. Children rarely become very sick, but see a doctor urgently if a child’s symptoms worsen, or if a baby aged 3 to 6 months has a temperature of 39°C or higher. A baby under 3 months with a temperature above 38°C needs a hospital emergency department straight away. Our guide to fever in kids has more detail.

All consultations at Harpley Doctors are bulk billed. You can book online through HealthEngine or call (03) 8731 1330. Outside our hours, call 13 SICK (13 7425) for an after-hours doctor.

When to call 000

Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you or someone you care for has:

• difficulty breathing, or blue lips or face
• pain or pressure in the chest
• cold and clammy, or pale and mottled skin
• fainting or collapsing
• confusion or difficulty waking up
• little or no urine
• coughing up blood

Tell the operator that the person has COVID-19. If you are unsure whether you need a GP or a hospital, read our article on GP or emergency care.

A plan for managing COVID-19 in winter

Staying up to date with vaccination is the best protection when managing COVID-19 in winter, because it lowers your chance of getting very sick. From 1 October 2026 the COVID-19 vaccine is an annual dose, and the National Immunisation Program funds it for:

• adults aged 75 and over: two free doses a year, around 6 months apart
• adults aged 65 to 74: one free dose a year
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 to 74: one free dose a year
• adults aged 18 to 64 with severe immunocompromise: one free dose a year

You also need a Medicare card or to be eligible for one. If you are outside these groups, ask your GP whether a dose is recommended for you; you can buy one privately with a prescription. Our COVID-19 vaccination page has more on vaccination at the clinic.

The same visit is a good time to check your other winter vaccines. The flu vaccine is free for every patient at Harpley Doctors, and an RSV vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for adults aged 75 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need a COVID-19 vaccine now?

From 1 October 2026 the COVID-19 vaccine is given as an annual dose. Adults aged 65 to 74 can have one free dose a year and adults 75 and over two free doses a year. Your GP can tell you when your next dose is due.

How quickly do I need to start antivirals?

Oral COVID-19 antivirals must be started within 5 days of your symptoms starting or a positive test. If you are at higher risk, contact your GP as soon as you test positive, or plan ahead so you know what to do.

Can I see a GP if I have COVID-19?

Yes. Call the clinic before you come in and let reception know you have COVID-19. A phone consultation may suit if you do not need a physical examination.

How long should I stay home with COVID-19?

Stay home while you are unwell, and avoid visiting hospitals, aged care or disability care for at least 7 days or until your symptoms have gone. You can be infectious for up to 10 days.