With the advent of winter, and the rise of a new Covid-19 subvariant, NB. 1.8.1 across Australia, now is the time to step up healthcare vigilance according to Aussie Pharma Direct’s Daniel Seldon.
As a case in point, Seldon said he had noticed a striking 150 per cent spike in sales of Covid-19 tests and face masks over the past week, with many switching to the latest five-in-one rapid antigen tests (RAT) that check not only for Covid-19, influenza A and B, and RSV, but also for adenovirus all in the comfort of their home or work place without having to sit in a congested doctor’s waiting room.
Adenovirus is a highly contagious virus behind many undiagnosed fevers, eye infections, respiratory illness, and gastro symptoms. It often mimics other respiratory viruses and is the leading cause of febrile illness in children with many carriers showing no symptoms.
According to the latest Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report for the reporting period of 5-19 May, RATs are the preferred diagnostic tool with 45 per cent of survey participants using a RAT, as compared to 7.8 per cent using a PCR to test for respiratory conditions.
“Obviously, the sooner you know what illness you have, the better for everyone, as you know whether you need to isolate to protect those around you if you are contagious, especially if you have young children or the elderly in your proximity, as they are most prone to severe illness,” said Seldon.
“The beauty of a RAT is the convenience it offers along with not having to attend a medical centre or pharmacy for a diagnosis, where you could inadvertently increase the spread of whichever respiratory virus you may have.”
The latest Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report states that since the end of 2021 Covid-19 has recorded a pattern where there are two peaks of mortality during the year – one occurring between November and January and the other occurring between May and August.
“In light of this, we are now in the peak period,” said Seldon.
“COVID-19, influenza, and RSV are more likely to cause death in older age groups than younger age groups, and as we know, regular vaccinations are the best way to maintain protection against severe disease, hospitalisation, and death from Covid-19. However, nationally fewer adults aged 18+ received a Covid-19 vaccine in the past 12 months (only 10.2 per cent), as compared to the 12 months prior (16.1 per cent from May 15, 2023, to May 12, 2024).
“Having said that, in the latest reporting period of 5-18 May 18, 2025, more children aged 16 years and younger were admitted to sentinel hospitals with RSV than with influenza or Covid-19, while more adults were admitted with Covid-19 compared to influenza or RSV,” said Seldon.
In fact, in the year to date, RSV notification rates remain consistently higher in children aged 0-4 years than in other age groups, and is highest in NSW, and lowest in Western Australia.
“Prevention is always better than cure, so I urge everyone to get vaccinated and to use a 5-in-1 RAT at the first sign of symptoms for peace of mind protection for themselves and their loved ones,” Seldon concluded.
