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Get a Sick Note for Sinusitus

Sinusitis is a valid reason to take time off work, issued by a UK GP without leaving home.

Severe sinusitis can make it impossible to concentrate, sleep or work. Get a signed GP sick note most same day, all by 9AM next morning. No appointment needed.

✔ Covers acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and related sinus infections.
✔ Accepted by UK employers for work absence documentation.
✔ Most same day. All by 9AM next morning. From £47.
✔ Full refund if we can't issue one.

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Full consult online
Direct to your inbox
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UK GMC Doctors
Dr Maria Knobel Medical Director · GMC 7495073

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 £37

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GMC Registered Doctors
Information Commissioner's Office
In partnership with NHS Doctors


How It Works

01

Complete a short online questionnaire

No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.

02

Doctor reviews your evidence

A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.

03

Receive your certificate

Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.

Yes — You Can Get a Sick Note for Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be genuinely debilitating — the facial pain, pressure, blocked nasal passages, and fatigue it causes can make it impossible to concentrate, sit at a screen, or function at work. If you are off with sinusitis and your employer needs medical documentation, a GMC-registered doctor can certify your absence. You do not need to see a specialist or have a formal diagnosis confirmed by a hospital — a clinical assessment of your symptoms is sufficient.

Can I get a sick note for sinusitis?

Yes. Sinusitis is a recognised medical condition and a valid reason for certified sick leave. A GMC-registered doctor can assess your symptoms and issue a fit note covering your absence — the same process as for any other illness. You can get one through MedicalCert the same day, entirely online, without a GP appointment.

MedicalCert issues sinusitis sick notes through GMC-registered UK doctors. Same day. 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, usually following 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:

Severe facial pain and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead
Throbbing headache that worsens when bending forward or lying down
Complete nasal blockage — inability to breathe through the nose
Reduced or absent sense of smell and taste
Significant fatigue and general malaise
Thick nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, and sore throat
Difficulty concentrating due to pain and pressure
Fever in some cases — particularly with bacterial sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis — where symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks — can also be certifiable where it causes ongoing impairment of function. 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 — sudden onset, typically following a cold, lasting up to 4 weeks — is the most common presentation. Most sick notes for sinusitis cover an acute episode. The certificate will typically say “acute sinusitis,” “acute rhinosinusitis,” or “upper respiratory tract infection with sinusitis.”

Chronic sinusitis — persistent symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more — can be certified for more extended 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. For the first seven calendar days of absence you can self-certify — simply inform your employer you are unwell, no doctor’s note required. From day eight onwards, your employer can request a fit note from a GMC-registered doctor.

Some employers have their own absence policies that require documentation earlier — particularly if you have had multiple short-term absences. If your employer has asked for a note for a sinusitis absence of under seven days, a private certificate from MedicalCert is fully accepted.

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 — 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
Note: MedicalCert issues private medical certificates, not NHS Med3 Fit Notes. For employer absence management and SSP purposes, our certificates are fully valid. For Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or other government benefit claims, an NHS Med3 Fit Note from your registered GP is required.

How Long Can You Be Signed Off for Sinusitis?

Most acute sinusitis episodes resolve within 2–3 weeks with appropriate treatment. A sick note will typically cover the period during which symptoms are severe enough to prevent work — commonly 7–14 days for an acute episode. If symptoms persist beyond the initial certificate period and you remain unfit, a new certificate can be issued to extend the cover.

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), 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 certified absence. The previous three-day waiting period has been abolished. SSP is paid at £123.25 per week or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, and all employees now qualify regardless of income.

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 — head pounding, face aching, unable to think straight — the last thing you need is a GP waiting room. MedicalCert is fully online.

1

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.

2

GMC-registered doctor reviews your case

A doctor reviews your submission the same day and assesses whether the clinical picture supports issuing a fit note. If a certificate cannot be issued, you receive a full refund.

3

Certificate to your inbox

Your signed certificate arrives same day (submit before 9pm) or by 9am the following morning. Forward directly to your employer or HR. The QR code allows instant verification.


Sinusitis Sick Note FAQs

Yes. Sinusitis is a recognised medical condition and a valid reason for certified sick leave. A GMC-registered doctor can assess your symptoms and issue a fit note the same day through MedicalCert — entirely online, no appointment needed. The certificate is accepted by UK employers for absence management and SSP purposes.
No. A formal diagnosis from a specialist or confirmed by imaging is not required. A GMC-registered doctor can assess your symptoms — facial pain, nasal blockage, headache, duration — and certify your absence based on clinical presentation. Most sinusitis is diagnosed on symptoms alone, not tests. If you have previously been diagnosed with sinusitis by your GP or a specialist, mention this in the consultation.
Most acute sinusitis certificates cover 7–14 days, reflecting the typical duration of an episode. If you remain unfit when the certificate expires, a new one can be issued to extend the period. Chronic sinusitis with recurrent episodes or post-surgical recovery may warrant longer periods of certified absence. The duration is determined by clinical assessment of your current functional state, not a fixed rule.
Yes. MedicalCert allows you to get a sinusitis sick note entirely online. Complete a short consultation describing your symptoms, a GMC-registered doctor reviews it the same day, and your certificate is delivered to your inbox. No in-person appointment, no GP waiting room — particularly relevant when sinusitis is making you feel too unwell to travel.
The clinical wording on the certificate will typically be “acute sinusitis,” “acute rhinosinusitis,” or “upper respiratory tract infection with sinusitis” depending on your presentation. All are recognised diagnoses that UK employers understand and accept for absence management purposes. Employers do not require specialist confirmation of the wording.
Yes, in appropriate circumstances. A backdated sick note can cover a period that has already passed where the clinical picture supports it — for example, if you were clearly symptomatic during that period and can describe onset, symptoms, and duration consistently. MedicalCert considers backdating on a case-by-case basis. Requests may be declined where the clinical basis is insufficient.
For general guidance on sick notes including the 7-day rule, SSP, and employer obligations, see our your work sick note guide.