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Original poster

Temp check at GP surgery

28 replies

user804582 · 11/02/2021 20:16

What happens if you have a high temp when visiting the GP? Can they stop you from entering if you have no other covid symptoms?

OP posts:
myopinioatters · 11/02/2021 20:18

I had hospital appointment where they checked temperature. You should inform them beforehand regarding your high temperature.

TheChip · 11/02/2021 20:18

I would imagine so, unless maybe you had a recent test proving that the temp was not caused by covid?

Its a tough one really, because sometimes you need to see the GP because of a temp.

Curious to know the answer myself so following.

Cloudsurfing · 11/02/2021 20:20

Yes, as if you have a high temp you need a covid test.

Original poster
user804582 · 11/02/2021 20:21

@Cloudsurfing

Yes, as if you have a high temp you need a covid test.
but what if it is caused by something else such as an infection?
OP posts:
HazeyJaneII · 11/02/2021 20:21

Have you had a Covid test?

MolyHolyGuacamole · 11/02/2021 20:23

Paracetamol.

ehagat · 11/02/2021 20:24

Why don't you ask your GP?

Athinginitself · 11/02/2021 20:24

Most GPs are triaging before f2f appointments so you could discuss it with them then but they understandably would want to be pretty sure its something other than covid.

HazeyJaneII · 11/02/2021 20:27

Yea paracetamol to bring down a temp (If it is causing discomfort or recommended by an hcp) but op still needs a test to rule out Covid.

StepOutOfLine · 11/02/2021 20:27

I don't think they'll let you past the door. Ours triages on the phone, but if she tells you to go to the surgery, your temp is still checked at the door before you can go in.

redcandlelight · 11/02/2021 20:27

but what if it is caused by something else such as an infection?

covid is an infection Confused
yes, fever/high temperature is one of the main symptoms of covid.
you need to get a test.

HazeyJaneII · 11/02/2021 20:28

...and needs to be isolating until a negative test, so should have a phone appointment with GP

Original poster
user804582 · 11/02/2021 20:29

no I don't have a temp I'm just bored in lockdown and was thinking back to this time last year.
I had an op and suffered a bad wound infection but before the infection showed any physical symptoms I had a temp for 2-3 days before. I was just wondering (and reminding myself how lucky I am to have my op before covid) how different it would be during covid times.

OP posts:
HaHaVeryBunny · 11/02/2021 20:29

Just my experience, last week had to go to the doc, not covid related.
I rang and explained my symptoms to the receptionist, she passed them on to the GP who rang back a few hours later.
Asked me if l had any covid symptoms, l replied no and l told her what was going on.
She said fine l need to see you today.
Got there, pressed the intercom, was told like everyone else wait in your car and the doc will call you in.
Was called in and asked again before entering her examination room, did l have any covid symptoms? said no, as l didn't.

Went in explained symptoms and only then got my temp checked as it sometimes goes along with the condition l had.
It was a simple infection that thankfully has gone.
Rambling a bit here, my point is you could have a temp for any reason and the GP would be fully aware of this and would act accordingly .
Good luck, hopefully it's nothing to worry about.

HazeyJaneII · 11/02/2021 20:30

Eh?

Athinginitself · 11/02/2021 20:30

I went to a hospital appt with a temperature (thought it had gone!) fortunately had done a covid test and knew I had a sinus infection by that point but guessing they would have turned me away if not.

PinkDaffodil2 · 11/02/2021 20:31

At ours if you called up and needed to be seen but had a temperature you would be seen in the ‘red clinic’ which is a specific doctor with longer appointments, room cleaned in between and patients waiting in their cars until ready to come through.
If you turned up for a regular appointment and had a temperature which you hadn’t known about you’d either be sent home, called, and re- triaged to the red area, or if they only checked part way through a consultation maybe just do a quick exam then head home and finish the consultation over the phone.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 11/02/2021 20:31

Our gp would send you to a red zone gp if you had to be seen, where people may or may not have covid.

myvaccineisnotsurplus · 11/02/2021 20:33

The forehead thermometers have been shown to be unreliable. If you get hot and bothered walking to the surgery, that is enough to give a high reading. Ditto menopausal flushes, having a temperature with dodgy tummy, bladder infection - all kinds of reasons.
A lateral flow test would be more reliable, but not sure that it is feasible in this situation?

As pp said, calling ahead and explaining should suffice.

Athinginitself · 11/02/2021 20:36

@user804582

no I don't have a temp I'm just bored in lockdown and was thinking back to this time last year. I had an op and suffered a bad wound infection but before the infection showed any physical symptoms I had a temp for 2-3 days before. I was just wondering (and reminding myself how lucky I am to have my op before covid) how different it would be during covid times.
Am guessing if you had no other symptoms you would have had a conversation with gp on the phone and mentioned surgery so it would have been discussed then. They will see you f2f if they need to examine you but will take a lot of precautions eg full ppe, empty surgery etc
cptartapp · 11/02/2021 20:46

We see our patients with a temp in a 'hot hub', a room with separate entrance to the practice. One way in and out. Staff in ppe.

RaggieDolls · 11/02/2021 22:27

I was turned away (after a 15 minute wait in the waiting room) for a temperature of 38.4 in one ear and 37.5 in the other... perhaps she read it incorrectly but I certainly didn't feel unwell or hot (I was there for a smear test) and when I got home my own thermometer read 37.3 in both ears. It was all extremely inconvenient and I'm pleased I wasn't there for something that needed immediate treatment.

Is it even possible to have nearly a whole degree of difference between each ear?!

StarCat2020 · 11/02/2021 22:39

Our GP surgery is still refusing to see people or speak to them on the phone unless vulnerable.

User35 · 11/02/2021 22:52

We have primay care covid centres in our area still but they aren't for solely covid they are more 'red zone' GP's for people who have symptoms that could potentially be covid so they can be seen safely with additional measures and different PPE.
If you contact the GP and have a temperature (even if it may not be related to covid) and they feel you need assessed you get an appointment to go to the centre. Its further to travel than the GP because they aren't as widespread but it seems effective. My friend was sent up with her DD who had a fever due to an ear infection.

myvaccineisnotsurplus · 12/02/2021 08:29

Seems a bit unsafe to be sent to a red zone to be treated with people who might very well have Covid simply because your temperature is raised. I'm sure the maximum precautions are taken but it is inherently less safe if Covid positive people are there.

I remember a thread in the summer about those forehead thermometers where it emerged that it is perfectly normal for some people to always have a temperature that would be classed as a low fever in others.