Get a Sick Note for Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a valid reason to take time off work, certified by a GMC-registered UK doctor without leaving home.
Severe sinusitis can make it impossible to concentrate, sleep or work. Get a signed GP sick note. No appointment needed.
✔ Covers acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and related sinus infections.
✔ Suitable for UK employer absence documentation, subject to your employer's policy.
✔ Most issued same day or by 9AM next morning. From £47.
✔ Full refund if we can't issue one.
Get my sick note 
Accepted by most UK employers, universities and insurers, subject to their own policies. All consultations are subject to clinical assessment and certificates are issued only where clinically appropriate.
Ready to return? You may also need a fit to work certificate before your employer allows you back.
Get your medical certificate delivered straight to your inbox from £47
How It Works
Complete short online consult
No appointment required.
Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually.
✔ Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued.
Receive your certificate
Most certificates are issued same day, almost all by 9AM the next morning. Delivered as a signed PDF. A doctor will email you if more evidence is needed.
Certificate security
Every MedicalCert certificate can be checked as genuine
Each certificate is issued with anti-tampering protection and its own verification reference. If your employer, university, airline or insurer wants to confirm the document came from a GMC-registered doctor, they can check it against MedicalCert records. Altered or copied documents do not pass that check.
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They meet the incredibly fast turnaround stated (certificate/letter sent before 9am the following morning if the doctor feels that a letter/certificate is appropriate) which is incredibly quick and I am really grateful for the help provided!
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Fast efficient service for medical certificates. I used the not fit to fly service and was provided with a certificate the next day, the price is very reasonable and enabled a flight credit refund with my airline. Would recommend and would use again if needed.
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Ideal for me, I am looking to get a certificate for some medical issues I have. So this is the perfect solution for me, uploading docs was easy and the forms very straightforward to fill in. Will definitely use them again. Many thanks.
Excellent service. Easy to use and certificate issued in less than 24 hours. £39 as opposed to the £150 my GP charges. Highly recommended.
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One of the best experiences. It's easy to get a GP note.
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Yes, You Can Get a Sick Note for Sinusitis
You can get a sick note for sinusitis in the UK. Sinusitis is a recognised medical condition, and a GMC-registered doctor can certify your absence from work after assessing your symptoms. You do not need a specialist referral, a scan, or a hospital-confirmed diagnosis. Sinusitis is normally identified from symptoms rather than tests. NICE guideline NG79 describes adults with acute sinusitis as usually presenting with nasal blockage or congestion, nasal discharge, dental or facial pain or pressure, and reduction or loss of the sense of smell.
The facial pain, sinus pressure, blocked nasal passages, and fatigue caused by sinusitis can make it impossible to concentrate, sit at a screen, or communicate at work. If your employer needs medical documentation for your absence, MedicalCert can usually provide it the same day, entirely online.
Can I get a sick note for sinusitis?
Yes. Sinusitis is a valid reason for certified sick leave in the UK. A GMC-registered doctor reviews your online consultation, assesses your symptoms, and issues a signed private medical certificate covering your absence. Most certificates are approved same day or by 9AM next morning.
No waiting room, no appointment, no commute when you already have a pounding headache.
Why Sinusitis Can Warrant a Sick Note
Sinusitis, inflammation of the sinuses that usually follows a cold or upper respiratory infection, is commonly misunderstood as a minor condition. Acute sinusitis causes symptoms that can make sustained work genuinely impossible, particularly for roles involving concentration, communication, or screen use:
Sinusitis that persists for 12 weeks or more is generally described as chronic, and it can also be certifiable where it causes ongoing impairment of function. NHS guidance says a GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if you still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment. A doctor assesses what you can and cannot do, not just whether you have been formally diagnosed.
Acute vs chronic sinusitis: does it make a difference for a sick note?
Acute sinusitis has a sudden onset and typically follows a cold. NHS guidance says sinusitis is common and usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. It is the most common presentation, and most sinusitis sick notes cover an acute episode. The certificate will typically say "acute sinusitis", "acute rhinosinusitis", or "upper respiratory tract infection with sinusitis".
Chronic sinusitis involves persistent symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more. It can be certified for longer periods where the ongoing impact on function is documented. If your sinusitis is chronic, note the duration and any treatment you have had when completing the consultation.
When Do You Need a Sick Note for Sinusitis?
The rules for sinusitis are the same as for any other illness. Under GOV.UK guidance on taking sick leave, you can self-certify for the first seven calendar days of absence. Simply inform your employer you are unwell, with no doctor's note required. From day eight onwards, your employer can request medical evidence of your illness.
Some employers have their own absence policies that ask for documentation earlier, particularly if you have had multiple short-term absences. Acas advises the opposite as the default position: an employer should only ask for a fit note from the seventh day of absence, and someone off for 7 calendar days or less does not need to provide medical evidence. Where an employer does ask for documentation for a shorter sinusitis absence, GOV.UK's guide for employers is clear that the employer decides what is acceptable, and that if the employer agrees, the employee can give another appropriate form of evidence instead. Check with your employer or HR before you order a certificate.
What your sinusitis sick note includes
- ✔ Your full name, date of birth, and contact details
- ✔ Diagnosis, typically "acute sinusitis", "rhinosinusitis", or "upper respiratory tract infection"
- ✔ Certified period of absence with start and end date
- ✔ "Not fit for work" or "may be fit for work" assessment as appropriate
- ✔ GMC registration number of the signing doctor
- ✔ Unique QR code for employer verification
How Long Can You Be Signed Off for Sinusitis?
Most sinusitis sick notes cover 7 to 14 days. NICE guideline NG79 puts the usual course of acute sinusitis at 2 to 3 weeks, and NHS guidance says sinusitis usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. A certificate typically covers the period during which symptoms are severe enough to prevent work. If symptoms persist beyond the initial certificate period and you remain unfit, a new certificate can be issued to extend the cover.
| Presentation | Typical recovery | Typical certified period |
|---|---|---|
| Acute viral sinusitis | 2 to 3 weeks, usually self-resolving | 7 to 14 days |
| Suspected bacterial sinusitis | 2 to 4 weeks. Antibiotics are rarely needed | 7 to 14 days, extendable if unresolved |
| Chronic sinusitis (12+ weeks) | Ongoing, with acute flare-ups | Per episode, assessed individually |
| Post-surgical recovery (e.g. FESS) | Varies with the procedure and your role | Assessed individually, longer for physical roles |
For chronic sinusitis with recurrent acute flare-ups, certificates can cover individual episodes or longer periods depending on the clinical picture. Where sinusitis has required surgery, such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), the post-operative recovery period can also be certified.
Sick pay: what you are entitled to
From 6 April 2026 under the Employment Rights Act 2025, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable from the first day of a qualifying sickness absence. The previous three waiting days have been abolished. SSP is paid at £123.25 per week or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, and the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed, so employees who previously earned too little to qualify are now covered.
Your employer may offer enhanced contractual sick pay above SSP. Check your employment contract. SSP is the legal minimum.
How to Get a Sinusitis Sick Note Online, Same Day
When sinusitis is at its worst, with your head pounding and face aching, the last thing you need is a GP waiting room. MedicalCert is fully online.
Complete the online consultation
Describe your symptoms: facial pain, blocked sinuses, headache, duration, and how they are affecting your ability to work. Note any previous diagnosis of sinusitis or current treatment. The doctor will assess your fitness based on this information.
GMC-registered doctor reviews your case
A doctor reviews your submission individually and assesses whether the clinical picture supports issuing a certificate. If a certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds, you receive a full refund.
Certificate to your inbox
Most certificates are approved same day or by 9AM next morning. Forward the signed PDF directly to your employer or HR. The QR code allows instant verification.
Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds.
