🚨 Seek Immediate Emergency Care (Call 000 or Visit ED): Telehealth is strictly for non-severe chest infections. Seek immediate hospital emergency care if you experience:

Severe, worsening breathlessness or struggling to speak full sentences
Sharp chest pain when breathing in or coughing
Coughing up fresh red blood or rust-colored phlegm
Blue discoloration of the lips, tongue, or fingertips
Confusion, extreme drowsiness, or high fever with shivering in elderly patients

Online Chest Infection Consultations with Australian GPs

Get prompt, professional medical evaluation for chesty coughs, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms from home. Consult an AHPRA-registered GP online for symptom assessment, eScripts for clinically indicated medications, chest X-ray referrals, and medical certificates.

Book Respiratory Consult Request eScript / Certificate

🩺 Experienced Australian Telehealth GPs 🩻 Digital Chest X-Ray Referrals 💊 Evidence-Based ePrescriptions 📄 Medical Certificates for Work/Study

🫁 Evidence-Based Respiratory Care Guidelines

An online consultation provides efficient, safe evaluation for common chest conditions:

Viral Bronchitis: Most acute chesty coughs are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Your GP will provide symptom management advice, bronchodilator therapy if wheezing, and work certificates.
Bacterial Infection & Imaging: If clinical signs suggest a bacterial process or suspected pneumonia, your GP can issue targeted antibiotic eScripts, sputum pathology requests, or urgent Chest X-ray referral forms.

Respiratory Conditions Assessed Online

Review how telehealth GPs evaluate and manage chest infection presentations.

Presentation	Common Symptoms	Telehealth GP Management
Acute Viral Bronchitis	Persistent chesty cough, clear/green phlegm, mild fever, throat tickle, fatigue.	Symptomatic care guidance, inhaled bronchodilators if wheezing, medical certificates.
Suspected Bacterial Infection	High persistent fever, thick discolored sputum, worsening feeling of illness.	Clinical assessment, targeted antibiotic eScript (if clinically indicated), pathology orders.
Suspected Pneumonia / Persistent Cough	Cough lasting >3 weeks, localized chest discomfort, ongoing fatigue, fever spikes.	Digital referral for local Chest X-ray, specialist referral, or escalation to in-person GP review.
COPD / Asthma Flare with Infection	Increased wheeze, sputum volume change, or tightness in existing lung disease.	Review of action plan, short-term steroid/inhaler adjustments, or urgent care advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a chest X-ray referral online?

If your GP determines during the consultation that an image of your lungs is required, they will email a digital radiology referral directly to you, which can be presented at any Australian X-ray provider (such as I-MED, Qscan, or local hospital radiology).

Can I get a medical certificate for time off work?

Yes. If a chest infection or bronchitis prevents you from working or attending university, your GP can issue an official medical certificate following your video or phone consult.

Why didn't my GP prescribe antibiotics for my cough?

Over 80% of acute chest infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and taking them unnecessarily can cause side effects and antibiotic resistance. Your GP will only prescribe antibiotics when clinical evidence points to a bacterial infection.

What Is a Chest Infection?

A chest infection is an infection affecting the airways or lungs.

Common chest infections include:

Acute bronchitis
Pneumonia
Viral respiratory infections that affect the lower airways
Bacterial infections of the lungs

Chest infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

Many acute coughs and bronchitis cases are caused by viruses and improve without antibiotics. Pneumonia can be more serious and may require specific treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of a Chest Infection?

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause and severity.

Common symptoms include:

Persistent cough
Coughing up mucus or phlegm
Yellow or green phlegm
Chest discomfort
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Fever
Chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Tiredness
Reduced appetite

Some people may also experience symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as a runny nose or sore throat.

What Causes Chest Infections?

Chest infections can be caused by different viruses and bacteria.

Viral infections are common and can occur after a cold, influenza or COVID-19.

Bacterial infections can also affect the lungs and may cause pneumonia.

Your GP will consider your symptoms, how long you have been unwell and your individual risk factors when assessing the likely cause.

Is a Chest Infection the Same as Bronchitis?

Not exactly.

Bronchitis occurs when the airways leading to the lungs become inflamed. Acute bronchitis is commonly caused by a viral infection and can result in a persistent cough.

A chest infection is a broader term that can include bronchitis and pneumonia.

A cough can sometimes continue for several weeks after a viral infection even after the underlying infection has improved.

Can a Telehealth GP Diagnose a Chest Infection?

A telehealth GP can assess many chest infections by taking a detailed medical history and discussing your symptoms.

During your NewTeleDoc Medical consultation, your GP may ask about:

When your symptoms started
How your symptoms have changed
Your cough
The colour and amount of phlegm
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Wheezing
Previous respiratory illnesses
Asthma or COPD
Smoking or vaping
Current medications
Other medical conditions
Recent exposure to people with respiratory infections

Your GP may also ask you to describe how you are breathing and how your symptoms affect normal activities.

However, some chest infections require an examination, including listening to the lungs, checking oxygen levels or performing other tests.

If your GP believes you need an in-person assessment, they will advise you where to go.

When Should I See a GP About a Chest Infection?

You should consider speaking with a GP if:

Your cough is persistent or worsening
You have a fever that is not settling
You are coughing up significant amounts of phlegm
You are experiencing wheezing
You are becoming short of breath
You have chest discomfort
Your symptoms are getting worse rather than improving
Your symptoms return after initially improving
You have an underlying lung or heart condition
You are pregnant
You are older or otherwise at increased risk of complications
You are concerned that you may have pneumonia

Early medical assessment can be particularly important for people at higher risk of complications.

When Is a Chest Infection an Emergency?

Some chest infections can become serious, particularly pneumonia.

Do not wait for a telehealth appointment if you have severe symptoms.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

Severe difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath at rest
Blue or grey lips, face or fingertips
Severe or persistent chest pain
Confusion or unusual drowsiness
Difficulty staying awake
Coughing up significant amounts of blood
Rapidly worsening symptoms
Severe weakness or collapse
Signs of severe dehydration

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.

Bronchitis and Chest Infections

Acute bronchitis commonly follows a viral respiratory infection.

The main symptom is usually a cough, which can sometimes continue for several weeks.

Other symptoms may include:

Phlegm
Wheezing
Chest discomfort
Tiredness
Mild fever

Because acute bronchitis is frequently caused by viruses, antibiotics are often not helpful.

Your GP can assess your symptoms and determine whether further investigation or treatment is required.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

Symptoms can include:

Cough
Fever
Chills
Shortness of breath
Chest pain, particularly when breathing deeply or coughing
Significant tiredness
Reduced appetite
Feeling generally very unwell

Older adults and some people with chronic medical conditions may not develop typical symptoms.

Pneumonia can be serious and sometimes requires hospital treatment.

If your GP suspects pneumonia, they may recommend an in-person assessment, chest examination, oxygen measurement, chest X-ray or other investigation.

Do Chest Infections Need Antibiotics?

Not always.

Many chest infections are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not treat viral infections.

Using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

If your GP suspects a bacterial infection or pneumonia and believes antibiotics are appropriate, they can prescribe treatment based on your clinical circumstances.

Do not use leftover antibiotics or antibiotics prescribed for someone else.

What Can I Do at Home for a Chest Infection?

For many mild respiratory infections, supportive care can help while your body recovers.

Depending on your individual circumstances, this may include:

Getting adequate rest
Drinking plenty of fluids
Avoiding smoking and vaping
Using appropriate pain or fever relief
Keeping the airways comfortable
Following your usual asthma or COPD management plan if applicable
Avoiding close contact with vulnerable people while you are unwell

If you have an existing medical condition or take regular medications, speak with your GP or pharmacist before starting new medicines.

Chest Infection and Asthma

Respiratory infections can trigger asthma symptoms.

If you have asthma and develop a chest infection, monitor your breathing carefully and follow your asthma action plan.

Seek medical advice if:

Your wheezing is increasing
You are becoming more breathless
You are using your reliever more often than usual
Your usual asthma medication is not controlling your symptoms
You have a severe or rapidly worsening asthma attack

Severe difficulty breathing requires emergency medical attention.

Chest Infection and COPD

People with COPD can be more vulnerable to complications from respiratory infections.

A respiratory infection may cause an increase in:

Cough
Breathlessness
Phlegm
Phlegm colour or amount
Wheezing

If you have COPD and your respiratory symptoms are worsening, arrange medical assessment promptly.

Severe breathlessness or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent care.

Chest Infections in Children

Children can develop respiratory infections that cause coughing, fever and breathing difficulties.

Parents should seek medical advice if a child:

Is breathing faster than usual
Is working hard to breathe
Is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
Is not drinking adequately
Has significantly fewer wet nappies
Has persistent high fever
Has blue or grey lips
Is becoming increasingly unwell

Young children can deteriorate quickly, so seek urgent medical care if you are concerned about your child's breathing or general condition.

How NewTeleDoc Medical Can Help With a Chest Infection

A NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth GP consultation can be a convenient first step for many people with respiratory symptoms.

During your consultation, your GP can:

Assess your cough and other symptoms
Review your medical history
Assess your risk factors
Discuss whether your symptoms are more consistent with a viral or bacterial infection
Discuss appropriate symptom relief
Prescribe medication when clinically appropriate
Determine whether antibiotics may be appropriate
Recommend testing or an in-person examination when necessary
Advise whether you may need a chest X-ray or other investigation
Review asthma or COPD symptoms where relevant
Provide a medical certificate when clinically appropriate
Arrange further medical care or referral when required

If your symptoms cannot be safely assessed or treated through telehealth, your GP will advise you to seek face-to-face care.

How to Prepare for Your Telehealth Consultation

Before your NewTeleDoc Medical appointment, it can help to have the following information available:

When your symptoms started.
How your symptoms have changed.
How often you are coughing.
Whether you are coughing up phlegm.
The colour and amount of phlegm.
Whether you have had a fever or chills.
Whether you have shortness of breath.
Whether you have chest pain.
Any asthma, COPD or other lung conditions.
Your current medications and medication allergies.

This information can help your GP determine the most appropriate next step.

Book a Telehealth GP Appointment for a Chest Infection

If you have a persistent cough, phlegm, fever, wheezing or other symptoms of a possible chest infection, NewTeleDoc Medical can provide a convenient telehealth GP consultation from the comfort of your home.

Your GP can assess your symptoms, discuss treatment options and determine whether you can be managed through telehealth or need an in-person medical assessment.

Book your NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth appointment today and speak with a GP from home.

Important Medical Information

This article provides general health information and does not replace individual medical advice.

Not every chest infection requires antibiotics. Treatment depends on the cause, severity of symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment.

If you have severe difficulty breathing, significant chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion, severe weakness, coughing up significant amounts of blood or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical attention or call 000.