Cold and flu: online consultation
- Assessment of symptoms such as runny nose, muscle pain, fever, and chills.
- Recommendation of appropriate symptomatic or antiviral treatment.
- E-prescription for medications available immediately after the consultation.
Cold and flu: online consultation
Online doctor consultation
Do you have symptoms of a cold or the flu and want to recover faster? Get help online.
Consultation with a Doctor + e-Prescription
The doctor will conduct a medical interview with you regarding your symptoms and health condition.
After the consultation, if deemed appropriate, you will receive medical recommendations and an e-prescription.
How does it work?
Choose a date for a consultation with a specialist
Book a convenient date and time for your consultation.
Complete a medical questionnaire
Answer a few questions that will help the doctor assess your health. If you are continuing treatment, attach your previous prescription.
Wait for the doctor to contact you
At the selected date, the doctor will call you to conduct a consultation.
Collect your documentation
After the doctor's decision, you will receive a prescription and/or recommendations via text message and e-mail - without leaving your home.
What does a phone consultation for cold and flu symptoms look like?
You register online at the Dimedic clinic and fill out an initial form describing your symptoms, including details about nasal discharge (if present).
Be sure to explain your health issue thoroughly – for example, has anyone close to you recently had an infection that you may have caught? The information you provide will help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
Once the consultation fee is paid, the doctor will call you within your selected time window (Dimedic operates 7 days a week, including holidays, and doctors consult from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM). Doctors contact patients from the number +48 426 412 041 – save it to recognize the call.
After the consultation, you’ll receive medical recommendations and, if necessary, an e-prescription for cold or flu medications and an electronic sick leave certificate for your recovery period.
Online consultations for colds and flu – available 7 days a week
Although both colds and flu are caused by viruses, their course differs significantly. This is mainly because they are caused by different viral strains.
Flu usually starts abruptly, with chills, weakness, fever, and severe headaches.
Colds, on the other hand, develop more slowly but can still be quite annoying, especially with postnasal drip irritating the throat.
Cold vs. flu – what’s the difference?
Both are viral infections:
Cold (ICD-10: J11.1) is often caused by rhinoviruses or adenoviruses.
Peak symptoms occur around day 2–4, then ease off.
Cold symptoms may include:
Sore throat (redness, inflamed spots)
Fatigue, drowsiness
General discomfort and apathy
Runny nose – initially clear and watery, then potentially thick and green
Cough – starting dry, becoming productive
Headache and mild fever or low-grade fever
Flu (ICD-10: J09-J18) is caused by influenza A, B, or C viruses.
A and B can lead to epidemics. Flu symptoms often appear quickly and intensely.
Flu symptoms include:
High fever and chills
Muscle and joint pain (“aches all over”)
Persistent dry cough
Extreme fatigue
Annual flu vaccines are recommended due to frequent mutations, similar to COVID-19.
Cold and flu medications
Although cold and flu are viral, their treatment is mostly symptomatic.
Anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing medications:
Ibuprofen – relieves pain, fever, and inflammation (available OTC).
Paracetamol – pain and fever relief, safe in pregnancy (dose-dependent for liver safety).
Metamizole (Pyralgina) – strong fever reducer (prescription only).
Cooling compresses – can help reduce fever naturally.
Cough medications:
Expectorants – for productive cough (e.g., guaifenesin, acetylcysteine).
Antitussives – for dry cough (e.g., dextromethorphan). Use with caution, especially in children.
Nasal medications:
Nasal corticosteroids – e.g., fluticasone (effective for inflammation, use max 2 weeks).
Antihistamines – helpful for allergic rhinitis often accompanying colds.
Sore throat relief:
Throat lozenges and sprays – with lidocaine or benzocaine.
Antiseptic rinses – e.g., chlorhexidine-based products.
Antiviral medications
Antivirals are essential in flu treatment but not typically used for colds, which are caused by a wide range of viruses (mainly rhinoviruses).
Flu antivirals include:
Oseltamivir – neuraminidase inhibitor; effective if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Zanamivir – inhaled antiviral, for patients aged 7+.
Baloxavir marboxil – single-dose antiviral blocking viral replication.
Antivirals must be started early (within 48 hours) for best effect.
Antibiotics and viral infections
Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like colds and flu.
They are only prescribed if a secondary bacterial infection occurs, e.g., sinusitis, ear infection, or pneumonia.
Other supportive treatments:
Hydration – drink plenty of fluids.
Rest – essential for recovery.
Humidified air – helps soothe irritated airways.
How much does a cold/flu consultation at Dimedic cost?
A phone consultation with a general practitioner at Dimedic costs a maximum of 99.99 PLN. Dimedic is a private online clinic, operating 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Doctors call patients from +48 426 412 041, and you can choose your preferred time window.
Will I get an e-prescription and sick leave after the consultation?
Yes – if the Dimedic doctor determines that medication is needed, you’ll receive an e-prescription via email.
If sick leave is necessary based on your symptoms and interview, the doctor can issue a ZUS ZLA electronic sick leave certificate.
This is especially common for cold and flu cases, as spreading infections at work or school should be avoided.
If you have an Internet Patient Account (IKP), your prescription, recommendations, and documents (e.g., sick leave) will appear there. You’ll also receive confirmation via SMS. All documents are stored in your Dimedic Patient Panel.