Online Respiratory & COVID-19 Consultation Ireland

A Cough That Won't Quit? Let's Sort It.

Online Respiratory & COVID-19 Consultation Ireland

Chest infection, persistent cough, flu symptoms, or COVID-19 concerns? Speak to an IMC-registered Irish doctor online the same day. Get a proper assessment, an honest answer on whether antibiotics are actually needed, and a prescription if clinically justified.

Same-day appointments

Sick notes for work

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Primary Mental Health Consultation

Anxiety, stress, and low mood support
Burnout and emotional wellbeing
Sleep issues and panic concerns
Onward specialist referrals

EUR 40.00

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The Antibiotics Question

Most Coughs Are Viral. Antibiotics Won't Help.

The HSE and Irish guidelines are clear: antibiotics work on bacteria, not viruses. Yet they're still handed out for viral chest infections where they make no difference and cause real side effects.

Our doctors follow Ireland's antimicrobial stewardship guidelines. That means we prescribe antibiotics only when they're genuinely indicated, explain what your symptoms actually need, and send you away with a plan that works, not a prescription that doesn't.

~70%

of respiratory infections in primary care are viral and resolve without antibiotics. Source: HSE antibioticprescribing.ie

Concerns Patients Bring to Us

Six areas of primary mental health care where our IMC-registered doctors provide same-day clinical support.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Fever, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and breathlessness. Guidance on testing, isolation, recovery timelines, and antiviral options for at-risk patients.

Sinus Infections

Facial pain, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, headache, and tooth pressure. Guidance on self-care, decongestants, and when antibiotics are actually needed.

Flu & Colds

Sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, body aches, and low-grade fever. Symptom management, rest advice, and sick notes where needed.

Asthma & Allergies

Wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, seasonal allergy symptoms, and inhaler reviews. Reliever, preventer, and combination inhaler prescriptions for confirmed patients.

Bronchitis & Pneumonia

Persistent productive cough, chest pain, mucus production, and fever. Assessment of severity, antibiotics where clinically indicated, and referral for chest x-ray if suspected pneumonia.

General Respiratory Concerns

Post-viral cough, hoarseness, smoker's cough, breathing difficulties, and long-COVID respiratory symptoms. Assessment and onward referral where specialist review is needed.

Steps to a Proper Assessment

No forms that take longer than the consultation itself. Just book, talk, and get a clear answer.

Book a Time

Pick a slot — evenings and weekends available. Request a male doctor at checkout if you'd prefer.

Speak to Your Doctor

Video or phone. A proper conversation about your concern, medical history and what you're aiming for.

Get a Clear Plan

Diagnosis where possible, e-prescription to your pharmacy, lab referrals if needed, and practical next steps.

Ongoing Support

Follow-up bookings are quick. Same clinician where possible, so progress is tracked properly over time.

How We Actually
Handle Chest & Respiratory Cases

Four principles that make the difference between a proper assessment and a rushed prescription.

Proper Symptom Assessment

Your doctor takes a full respiratory history: when it started, sputum colour, fever pattern, breathlessness on exertion, risk factors, and past respiratory conditions. On video, we can check your breathing rate, skin colour, and conversational effort, which tells us far more than a checkbox form ever could.

COVID-19 and Variants in Context

COVID-19 is now part of the normal respiratory mix. Our doctors assess symptoms against current HSE guidance, advise on home antigen testing, consider antiviral eligibility (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for at-risk patients), and give clear isolation and return-to-work guidance.

Antibiotics Only When Justified

We follow HSE antimicrobial stewardship guidance. If it's viral, you get honest advice on what actually helps (rest, fluids, paracetamol, honey for cough soothing). If bacterial infection is suspected, we prescribe the right antibiotic for the right duration, not a leftover-style course.

Clear Red-Flag Triage

If your symptoms suggest something serious (severe breathlessness, coughing up blood, chest pain, persistent high fever), we don't waste time. Your doctor tells you straight and arranges same-day referral for chest x-ray, blood tests, or A&E if needed. Honest triage, not blind prescribing.

Why Irish Patients Choose Us for Chest Symptoms

The clinical approach above is the what. Here's the why. Four practical reasons patients book with us when they're unwell.

IMC-Registered Only

Every doctor is Irish Medical Council-verified not overseas.

Same-Day, 7 Days a Week

Evenings and weekends. No three-week waits for a routine slot.

No Waiting Room Exposure

Stay home, avoid spreading the illness, and skip sitting next to other sick patients.

GDPR-Secure & Private

Encrypted end-to-end. Sensitive discussions stay confidential.

Questions Patients Actually Ask

Straight answers about antibiotics, COVID-19 testing, inhalers, and what online respiratory care covers in Ireland.

Do I need antibiotics for my cough or chest infection?

Most coughs and chest infections are caused by viruses, so antibiotics will not help. HSE and Irish guidelines recommend antibiotics only when there is clear evidence of a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, or when you are at higher risk due to conditions like COPD or diabetes. Yellow or green phlegm alone does not mean you need antibiotics. Your doctor will check your symptoms, risk factors, and how long you have been unwell before deciding. Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antibiotic resistance, which is a serious public health issue in Ireland.

Can you test for COVID-19 through an online consultation?

We cannot physically test you, but we can guide you through self-testing with a home antigen test, interpret your results, and advise on next steps. If PCR testing is clinically needed, your doctor issues a referral to an HSE-partnered testing service or private lab. For patients at higher risk of severe COVID-19, your doctor assesses whether antiviral treatment like nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) is appropriate.

How long does a cough or chest infection usually last?

Most coughs from a cold or viral chest infection last 2 to 3 weeks, even after other symptoms have cleared. Acute bronchitis can take up to 3 weeks to settle fully. Community-acquired pneumonia follows HSE recovery timelines: fever usually resolves within 1 week, chest pain and phlegm reduce within 4 weeks, and cough or breathlessness can linger for 6 weeks. If your cough lasts more than 3 weeks, is getting worse, or you are coughing up blood, book an in-person review.

What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

Bronchitis affects the airways (the bronchial tubes) and is usually viral. Symptoms are persistent cough with mucus, mild chest discomfort, and low-grade fever. Most cases clear without antibiotics. Pneumonia affects the lung tissue itself, is more often bacterial, and symptoms are more severe: high fever, sharp chest pain when breathing in, rapid breathing, and feeling systemically unwell. Pneumonia usually needs antibiotics and sometimes in-person assessment with a chest x-ray.

Can you prescribe inhalers for asthma or COPD online?

Yes, for patients with a confirmed diagnosis. Our doctors can issue prescriptions for reliever inhalers (short-acting beta-2 agonists like salbutamol), preventer inhalers (inhaled corticosteroids), and combination inhalers where clinically appropriate. For new or poorly controlled asthma, we also check inhaler technique over video and refer you for in-person assessment or spirometry if needed.

Is my cough contagious?

If your cough is caused by a viral infection (colds, flu, RSV, COVID-19, most bronchitis), yes. Viral coughs are most contagious in the first few days of illness and can remain contagious for up to a week while you are producing mucus. Chronic bronchitis from long-term lung irritation (for example, smoking) is not contagious. Your doctor can help identify the likely cause and advise on isolation, sick leave, and safe return to work.

Can I use this service for my child with a cough or chest symptoms?

Children aged 1 and older can be assessed through our Paediatric Consultation service with a parent or guardian present. Babies under 1 year with a fever over 38°C must attend a GP or A&E in person. For suspected croup, severe wheezing, or laboured breathing in a child, go to A&E immediately rather than booking online.