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Chest Infection Treatment Online

See a bulk billed telehealth GP for suspected chest infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Get antibiotic eScripts where indicated, urgent chest X-ray referrals, and same-day medical certificates from home.

Can a telehealth GP treat a chest infection online?

Yes for many cases — but careful triage matters. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can take a focused history, observe your breathing by video, review home pulse oximeter readings, and decide whether the picture is acute bronchitis (usually viral, no antibiotics), bacterial chest infection, or pneumonia (which may need urgent in-person review). Where antibiotics are clinically appropriate per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, an eScript is sent within minutes. The consultation, eScript, chest X-ray or pathology referral, and any medical certificate are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

Seek emergency care immediately for severe shortness of breath, chest pain with breathlessness, blueness around the lips, confusion, coughing up significant amounts of blood, oxygen saturation below 92%, or rapid worsening. Children working hard to breathe need urgent in-person assessment.

What is a chest infection?

"Chest infection" is a broad term covering inflammation or infection of the lower respiratory tract — the larger airways (acute bronchitis), the lung tissue itself (pneumonia), or both. Most cases are caused by viruses, including influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and other common respiratory viruses. A smaller proportion are caused by bacteria such asStreptococcus pneumoniae or atypical pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Acute bronchitis usually causes a productive cough lasting up to 3 weeks but does not normally make a person severely unwell. Pneumonia tends to cause higher fever, faster breathing, more breathlessness, chest pain on breathing in, and a feeling of being significantly more unwell. The two can overlap, and the line between them matters because antibiotics are usually not indicated for acute bronchitis but are usually indicated for community-acquired pneumonia. A chest X-ray helps confirm pneumonia where suspected.

When to see a GP, and when to go straight to an ED

Book a GP (in person or via bulk billed telehealth) if your cough has lasted longer than a few days with fever, if you feel significantly unwell, if you are short of breath, or if you have any pre-existing lung disease or immunocompromise that increases your risk. People in higher-risk groups (over 65, pregnant, immunocompromised, COPD or asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney or heart disease) should seek review earlier.

Attend an emergency department, or call 000, if you have any of the following red-flag features:

  • Severe shortness of breath, or breathlessness at rest
  • Chest pain, particularly with breathlessness (consider pulmonary embolism)
  • Blueness around the lips, fingers, or face (cyanosis)
  • Confusion, drowsiness, or new disorientation (an important red flag in older patients)
  • Oxygen saturation below 92% on a home pulse oximeter
  • Coughing up significant amounts of blood (more than streaks)
  • Inability to keep fluids down or signs of dehydration
  • A very high fever you cannot bring down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • A child working hard to breathe (sucking-in of the chest wall, grunting, nasal flaring), with stridor, refusing fluids, or who is drowsy
  • Collapse or fainting

For these features, do not delay by booking telehealth — go straight to an emergency department or call 000.

How a telehealth GP can help

Many features of a chest infection assessment come from history and observation — duration and character of cough, fever pattern, breathlessness, chest pain, sputum, risk factors, and observed work of breathing by video. A NewDoc GP can take this history, review home pulse oximeter readings if you have them, and decide what level of care is right.

During the consult, your GP can:

  • Send an eScript for an appropriate oral antibiotic, bronchodilator, or — for eligible patients — antiviral medication (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for COVID-19, oseltamivir for influenza within 48 hours), per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines
  • Issue an urgent chest X-ray referral where pneumonia is suspected
  • Issue a pathology referral for FBC, CRP, COVID/influenza/RSV PCR, pertussis PCR, or sputum culture as clinically indicated
  • Refer you to a respiratory specialist for atypical, recurrent, or treatment-resistant cases
  • Direct you to in-person GP review, urgent care, or an ED where severity or risk warrants it
  • Issue a medical certificate for work, school, or carer's leave

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation, eScript, referral, and certificate are all bulk billed with no out-of-pocket cost. Medications themselves are usually subsidised under the PBS at your pharmacy.

Treatment of acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is most commonly viral, with cough as the dominant symptom — often productive, often lasting 2 to 3 weeks. The Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the RACGP recommend against routine antibiotics for acute bronchitis in otherwise healthy adults. Symptomatic care — rest, fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofen, steam inhalation, honey in those over 12 months — is usually enough. Smoking cessation, if relevant, speeds recovery.

Antibiotics are reserved for patients with features suggesting bacterial chest infection, suspected pertussis (treated with a macrolide), or specific at-risk groups. Your GP will explain the rationale if antibiotics are not recommended.

Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia is typically treated with antibiotics per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, with choice and duration tailored to severity, patient factors, and allergies. Mild cases in otherwise healthy patients can usually be managed at home with oral antibiotics, fluids, rest, pain relief, and follow-up to confirm improvement. Moderate-to-severe cases — or patients with significant comorbidities, frailty, or signs of sepsis — require hospital review for assessment, observation, and often intravenous antibiotics.

Your telehealth GP can use validated severity tools, prescribe oral antibiotics where appropriate, arrange an urgent chest X-ray, and direct you to in-person care when needed. Follow-up review within 48 to 72 hours is important to confirm improvement; deterioration is a clear trigger for in-person reassessment.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 12 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP treat a chest infection?

Yes for many cases — but careful triage matters. A NewDoc telehealth GP can take a focused history, ask about symptoms and risk factors, observe your breathing pattern by video, review any home pulse oximeter readings, and decide whether the picture is consistent with mild acute bronchitis (usually viral and not needing antibiotics), bacterial chest infection (which may warrant antibiotics), or something requiring urgent in-person review such as pneumonia, exacerbation of COPD, or pulmonary embolism. Where antibiotics are clinically appropriate per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, an eScript is sent to your phone within minutes. Where in-person assessment is needed (suspected pneumonia, severe symptoms, low oxygen saturation, or red-flag features), your GP will direct you to the right care.

When should chest infection be assessed urgently in person or in an emergency department?

Attend an emergency department, or call 000, if you have severe shortness of breath, breathlessness at rest, chest pain (particularly with breathlessness), blueness around the lips or face (cyanosis), confusion or drowsiness, coughing up significant amounts of blood, oxygen saturation below 92% on a home pulse oximeter, a very high fever you cannot bring down, or rapid worsening of any symptoms. Pregnant women, elderly patients, people with COPD or asthma, immunocompromised patients, and people with diabetes are at higher risk of severe disease and should seek review earlier. Children who are working hard to breathe, have grunting respirations, suck-in of the chest wall, or who are drowsy or refusing fluids need urgent in-person assessment.

What is the difference between acute bronchitis and pneumonia?

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the larger airways (bronchi), usually caused by a virus, and presents with cough — often productive — that can last 2 to 3 weeks. Most people with acute bronchitis are not severely unwell. Pneumonia is infection of the lung tissue itself, more often bacterial, and typically causes higher fever, faster breathing, more breathlessness, chest pain on breathing in, and a feeling of being significantly more unwell. Pneumonia can usually be confirmed on a chest X-ray. Your telehealth GP can take a history and observations to estimate the probability of pneumonia and arrange an urgent chest X-ray during the consultation if needed.

Will I get antibiotics for acute bronchitis?

Most acute bronchitis is viral and does not require antibiotics. Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the RACGP recommend against routine antibiotics for acute bronchitis in otherwise healthy adults. Antibiotic stewardship matters because inappropriate use drives resistance. Your GP will assess whether you have features that change this default — including suspected community-acquired pneumonia, suspected pertussis, exacerbation of COPD or bronchiectasis, signs of significant bacterial infection, or you are an at-risk patient (immunocompromise, frail elderly, severe symptoms). When antibiotics are clinically appropriate, your GP will prescribe per current Australian guidelines.

Can I get a chest X-ray referral through telehealth?

Yes. Your telehealth GP can issue a bulk-billed chest X-ray referral during the consultation, sent electronically to the imaging provider of your choice. Common reasons your GP may request a chest X-ray include suspected community-acquired pneumonia, a cough that has lasted longer than 3 weeks, productive cough with blood, an exacerbation of COPD or asthma that has not responded as expected, suspected aspiration, or any concerning features identified during the consult. Most imaging providers accept walk-in attendance for X-rays.

How is community-acquired pneumonia treated?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is treated with antibiotics per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines. Choice of antibiotic, dose, and duration depend on severity, patient factors (age, comorbidities, pregnancy, allergies), and local antibiotic resistance patterns. Mild cases in otherwise healthy patients can typically be managed at home with oral antibiotics, rest, fluids, and pain relief. Moderate-to-severe cases — and patients with significant comorbidities, frailty, or signs of sepsis — require hospital review for assessment and often intravenous antibiotics. Your telehealth GP can stratify the severity using validated tools, prescribe oral antibiotics where appropriate, arrange an urgent chest X-ray, and direct you to in-person review or ED when needed.

What about chest infections in people with COPD, asthma, or bronchiectasis?

People with pre-existing lung disease are at higher risk of exacerbations and complications. A chest infection in someone with COPD may need both bronchodilators (e.g. salbutamol, ipratropium) and an oral antibiotic, sometimes with a short course of oral corticosteroids per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines. People with bronchiectasis often have their own management plan and may need targeted antibiotics. Your GP can review your current regimen, prescribe rescue medications, and arrange any urgent in-person review or imaging needed. People with severe COPD should have a written action plan and rescue antibiotics at home — your telehealth GP can help organise this.

Could my chest infection be COVID-19, influenza, or RSV?

Yes. Many "chest infections" are viral and caused by COVID-19, influenza, RSV, or other respiratory viruses. Your GP can review symptoms and risk factors, order or recommend a relevant test, and prescribe antiviral medications where you meet PBS criteria — for example, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) for eligible adults with COVID-19, or oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for eligible patients with influenza within 48 hours of symptom onset. Antivirals are most effective when started early.

What about whooping cough (pertussis)?

Pertussis can cause a prolonged, severe cough that resembles or follows a chest infection. Diagnosis is by PCR swab early in the illness; treatment is with macrolide antibiotics (typically azithromycin) to reduce transmission to vulnerable contacts. Tell your GP if you have been around an infant, a pregnant woman, or an immunocompromised household member.

When should I worry about a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)?

Pulmonary embolism (PE) can present with shortness of breath, chest pain (especially on deep breaths), coughing up blood, or a feeling of impending doom. Risk factors include recent surgery, immobility, long-haul travel, pregnancy or the post-partum period, cancer, oestrogen-containing contraception or hormone therapy, and a personal or family history of clots. If your GP suspects PE, you will be directed to an emergency department for urgent assessment — telehealth is not the right setting for PE work-up.

Can children with suspected chest infection be assessed via telehealth?

Telehealth is a reasonable first step for a child with cough or mild respiratory symptoms — your GP can take a focused history, observe breathing by video, and decide whether in-person review or any test is required. Children who are working hard to breathe (sucking-in of the chest wall, grunting, nasal flaring), have stridor or wheeze not responding to their usual reliever, are drowsy or refusing fluids, or have blueness around the lips need urgent in-person assessment. For these features, do not delay by booking telehealth.

Is the chest infection consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP appointment. Any eScript, chest X-ray referral, pathology referral, specialist referral, or medical certificate issued during the consultation is included at no extra charge. Medications themselves are usually subsidised under the PBS at your pharmacy.

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