Hi Doctor, I have a flu and my friend’s father was confirmed with the wuhan virus. I did not travel in the past month and have been in close contact with my friend but not his father.

Hi @vermie , based on current guidelines, it may not be necessary to go to TTSH (since your friend has no symptoms he is 1st ring of exposure, and you are in ring 2) unless you have severe features of flu (breathlessness, etc) based on your situation. 

Doing so may result in unnecessary waiting and time wastage on your end if they determine you are at low risk and turn you away. Instead, I would recommend a teleconsult or to visit your nearby GP clinic to determine if you have any severe features. 

Note that although the teleconsult from home option through platforms like DoctorWorld is more convenient, if you are found to have severe features, you may still need to visit your nearby GP clinic to be examined and for them to assess if you are truly at risk and in need of testing in TTSH. Hope this helps!

Hi @vermie . Thank you for your question! 

I am sorry to hear about your friends father. Usually when a case is confirmed, there would be extensive contact tracing done. People who are at high risk would be informed to home quarantine.  

If your friend is fine without symptoms, and you maintain hand hygiene when around him, it is much less likely for you to be infected with this specific virus. If you did then you would have been informed that you will need home quarantine. 

Regardless, I would have to say that if you develop symptoms suggestive of a lower respiratory infection which include a productive cough with increasing sticky phlegm, difficulty breathing, chest pain at rest or breathing in, significant lethargy/body aches (not usual) then you should proceed to any ANE and get tested. If not please seek attention at your local GP and not be afraid to go and see a doctor. Practise good hygiene and stay responsible and avoid crowded areas/high risk groups. 

I hope this helps!