Use this page when a respiratory illness has kept you away from work or study and you need a simple doctor reviewed evidence pathway.
Quick answer
Cold and flu symptoms can be suitable for an online medical certificate request when symptoms are mild to moderate and no red flags are present.

A certificate can help document a genuine short absence while you recover and reduce avoidable spread in workplaces or classrooms.
Trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, blue lips, severe dehydration, or a very unwell child needs urgent in-person care.
Usually no for a straightforward certificate request, but the doctor may ask follow-up questions if the story is unclear.
You can request the relevant date. The doctor decides whether the absence is clinically supported.
Persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a GP or urgent care service.
Clear price, secure request, and doctor review before any certificate or prescription decision.
Start certificate request