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. No appointment needed.
✔ Covers acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and related sinus infections.
✔ Accepted by UK employers for work absence documentation.
✔ Most Same day or by 9AM next morning. From £47.
✔ Full refund if we can't issue one.
Get my sick note
All consultations subject to clinical assessment. 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 £37
How It Works
Complete a short online questionnaire
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. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Receive your certificate
Most certificates arrive same day or by 9AM next morning, delivered via email a signed PDF. All consultations subject to clinical assessment. Issued only where clinically appropriate.
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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. NHS guidance confirms that sinusitis is diagnosed on clinical symptoms alone in almost all cases.
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 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:
Chronic sinusitis, where symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks, can also be certifiable where it causes ongoing impairment of function. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries define chronic rhinosinusitis by this 12-week threshold. 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, typically follows a cold, and lasts up to 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 require documentation earlier, particularly if you have had multiple short-term absences. ACAS guidance confirms employers may ask for medical evidence for absences under seven days, though they normally meet the cost. 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 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. NHS guidance states that acute sinusitis usually clears within 2 to 3 weeks, and 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 |
| Acute bacterial sinusitis | 2 to 4 weeks, may require antibiotics | 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) | 1 to 2 weeks before returning to most roles | 7 to 14 days, 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 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, 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.
Sinusitis Sick Note FAQs
Reviewed by Dr Maria Knobel
Medical Director, MedicalCert · GMC 7495073 · Last reviewed: 10 June 2026