More children are getting coughs and colds because they have not had chance to build up immunity because social distancing has meant they have been protected from germs.
Here is a list of things that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket which might help you care for an unwell child at home. #HelpUsHelpYou
- Children’s paracetamol
- Children’s ibuprofen (children with asthma may not be able to take
- Ibuprofen (check with a pharmacist)
- Digital thermometer
- Vapour rub
- Children’s cough syrup
- Nasal saline drops
- Honey (not suitable for under 12 months)
- Ice-lollies
- Soft tissues
If your child has a high temperature of 38C or more and is generally unwell for more than 4 days, go to 111.nhs.uk or download the NHS app for health advice, to book an appointment and more.
It is normal for a child to have 8 or more colds a year, this is because there are hundreds of different cold viruses. Children gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds over time. Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children.
If your child is feeling unwell with a cough, cold or sore throat, book a COVID-19 test at one of our community testing centres as soon as possible to ensure their condition is not COVID-19. If the test is negative, visiting your local community pharmacy is the quickest and most convenient way to access care, advice and medicines that may ease your child’s symptoms. If your child is feeding, drinking, eating and breathing normally and there’s no wheezing, a cough is not usually anything to worry about.
Here are some suggestions for how to ease the symptoms in your child:
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.
- Saline nose drops, available from your pharmacy can help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose.
- If your child has a fever, pain or discomfort, children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Children with asthma may not be able to take ibuprofen, so check with a pharmacist first and follow the instructions on the packet.
- If they have a sore throat, switching to soft foods may help and some foods such as ice-lollies and honey can sooth symptoms. (Not suitable for under 12 months)
- If they have cough, warm drinks of honey and lemon sooth symptoms. Putting your child in a warm steamy shower or bath may help to relieve a cough (do not leave your child unattended and always check the temperature).
- If your child has a fever, pain or discomfort, children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Children with asthma may not be able to take ibuprofen, so check with a pharmacist first and follow the instructions on the packet.
- Encourage the whole family to wash their hands regularly to stop the cold spreading.www.nhs.uk/colds-coughs-and-ear-infections-in-children.
If your child’s temperature is very high (38C or more), they feel hot and shivery or have a distinctive barking cough that makes harsh sound, known as a stridor when they breath in, contact your GP, go to 111.nhs.uk or download the NHS app.
- If your child is experiencing a fever, here is some helpful information to help you care for them at home. If the high temperature continues after 4 days they are generally feeling unwell visit 111.nhs.uk, download the NHS app www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxf2w8fPYCQ #HelpUsHelpYou
- If you’re worried that your child has a fever, watch this short animation for advice. vimeo.com/572994200 Parents who are concerned that symptoms are worsening should go to 111.nhs.uk, download the NHS app #HelpUsHelpYou
- If your baby is experiencing a cold, here is some helpful information to help you care for them at home. vimeo.com/573042274/4ac721ff83 #HelpUsHelpYou
- If your baby has Bronchiolitis, here is some helpful information to help you care for them at home. Parents who are concerned that symptoms are worsening should go to 111.nhs.uk or download the NHS app vimeo.com/573042299/c6688e21f2 #HelpUsHelpYou
- If you live in Staffordshire and require urgent care, go to 111.nhs.uk or download the NHS app for health advice and local solutions for urgent emergency care #HelpUsHelpYou #NHS vimeo.com/572993970
- If your child is unable to swallow fluids or saliva or have any difficulty breathing, go to A&E or call 999 immediately as they may need urgent treatment in hospital.