What Counts as a Chest Infection?

Chest infections include:

● Acute bronchitis

● Post-viral chest infections

● Lower respiratory tract infections

Symptoms may include:

● Persistent cough

● Chest pain or tightness

● Breathlessness

● Fever

● Fatigue

These symptoms often make working unsafe — particularly in physical or public-facing roles.

Do You Need a Sick Note for a Chest Infection?

Usually, no at first.

● Self-certification applies for the first 7 calendar days

● A sick note is required only if symptoms persist beyond this point

Many chest infections take 2–3 weeks to fully resolve, making sick notes common after day 7.

Can You Work With a Chest Infection?

This depends on:

● Severity of symptoms

● Nature of your job

● Risk to others

Working through a chest infection can:

● Prolong recovery

● Increase complications

● Spread infection

Employers should not pressure attendance.

Can Chest Infections Be Assessed Online?

Often, yes — with caution.

Remote assessment is suitable when:

● Symptoms are stable

● No red-flag signs are present

● Breathing is not severely impaired

A clinician will refuse online assessment if urgent examination is needed.

Services like Dr Sicks follow this approach, issuing sick notes only when clinically safe.

When to Seek Urgent Care

Seek immediate help if you have:

● Severe breathlessness

● Chest pain

● Blue lips or fingertips

● Confusion or collapse

Key Takeaways

● Chest infections often justify sick leave

● Sick notes commonly required after 7 days

● Online assessment may be appropriate

● Safety comes first