Conditions
Online GP for chest infections and coughs
Most coughs are viral and settle on their own, but a chest infection that is getting worse needs assessment. An Irish-registered GP will take a careful history, look at your breathing on video and decide whether treatment, a chest x-ray or an in-person examination is the right next step.
Appointments 08:00–22:00, 7 days IMC-registered GPs, EU-hosted records
What your GP can do
- Assess how long symptoms have run, your temperature and your breathing
- Review inhalers, asthma or COPD history and adjust the plan
- Prescribe antibiotics or a steroid course when the assessment supports it
- Arrange a chest x-ray request or refer for in-person examination
- Issue a sick certificate for work or college
When to seek urgent care instead
- Severe breathlessness, or breathlessness at rest
- Chest pain, especially with breathing or exertion
- Coughing up blood
- Blue lips, confusion or drowsiness — call 112 or 999
In an emergency call 112 or 999, or contact your local emergency department or out-of-hours GP service.
Chest infection and persistent cough — questions Irish patients ask
- Can a GP diagnose a chest infection over video?
- A GP can take a detailed history, watch your breathing and count your respiratory rate on video, and check oxygen readings if you have a home oximeter. If a chest examination or x-ray is needed, that will be arranged rather than guessed.
- Will I definitely get antibiotics?
- No. Antibiotics are prescribed only when the clinical picture supports it. Prescribing them for viral illness causes harm and resistance, so your GP will explain the plan either way.
- Can I get a sick cert in the same appointment?
- Yes. A dated medical certificate can be issued during the consultation and emailed to you as a secure PDF.
Speak to an Irish-registered GP today
Pick a time that suits you, complete a short medical history and meet your GP by secure video or phone. Prescriptions go to any pharmacy in Ireland.