Talk to an online GP about cold, flu or respiratory symptoms

Yes. You can discuss fever, chills, cough, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, aches and how the illness is changing. The GP can consider the pattern and explain whether remote advice is enough or whether you need testing, examination or local care.

Yes. Describe when it started, how painful swallowing is and whether you also have fever, cough, swollen glands, a rash or voice changes. A direct throat or ear examination may be needed when appearance or physical findings would change the next step.

Yes. You can discuss blocked nose, facial pressure, discharge, reduced smell and how long the symptoms have lasted. Sinus symptoms often settle without specific treatment, but worsening, recurring or persistent symptoms may need examination or further assessment.

Yes. The GP may ask how long the cough has been present, whether it is dry or produces mucus and whether you have fever, wheeze, chest discomfort or shortness of breath. A chest examination or local observations may be needed if breathing or lung findings are important.

You do not need to identify the infection before booking. Tell the GP which symptoms you have, when they began, any known exposure and any test result already available; they can discuss what information would help distinguish the possibilities.

Mention the first symptom, current symptoms, fever if measured, breathing changes, fluid intake and whether the illness is improving or worsening. Also include relevant health conditions, pregnancy, medicines, allergies and recent contact with respiratory illness.

Yes. Worsening symptoms or symptoms that are not starting to improve can change whether examination or testing is useful. Seek prompt care rather than waiting for a routine appointment if you are deteriorating, struggling to breathe or unable to stay hydrated.

Mention it early because pregnancy and some heart, lung, kidney, metabolic or immune conditions can increase the risk from respiratory illness. The GP can factor that history into how quickly you should be assessed and whether remote care is enough.

Not everyone needs one. A HerDoc GP can request pathology testing when the assessment supports it, but a particular respiratory test or throat swab is not promised. You can upload an existing test result during intake for the GP to review.

Yes. You can talk about what is bothering you, what you have already taken and any health conditions, pregnancy, allergies or other medicines that affect the options. The GP can discuss choices for your circumstances without this page recommending a product or dose.

Not necessarily. A prescription depends on the GP's assessment, and many respiratory infections improve without one. The GP may instead recommend symptom care, testing, examination or another next step.

Yes. A HerDoc GP can assess a medical-certificate request during the appointment. Whether a certificate is issued and what period it covers depend on what the GP can support from the consultation.

Direct examination may be needed when the GP needs to see inside the throat or ears, listen to the chest, check oxygen levels or assess facial swelling or tenderness. The need and timing depend on the symptoms and how unwell you are.

Seek prompt local medical care. Repeated vomiting, much less urine, dizziness on standing, increasing weakness or inability to drink can signal dehydration and should not wait for a routine online appointment.

Call 000 for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, collapse, severe chest pain, marked confusion or another emergency. Seek prompt local care for worsening breathing, persistent vomiting, dehydration, rapid deterioration or an illness that feels significantly more serious than a routine cold.