Common childhood illnesses

Young children haven’t had the chance to build up their immune systems so will pick up illnesses regularly.

Good hygiene stops infections from spreading. Teach your child to wash hands properly for 20 seconds, use tissues for coughs and sneezes, and stay away from others when sick. The e-bug resources for all ages can help you to explain and discuss hygiene habits – and why they are important - to your child.

Children can usually be cared for at home and often feel better in a few days. If they’re uncomfortable, you can give them children’s paracetamol or children’s ibuprofen. Check the leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child and to see how much to give them.

A pharmacist can give you advice about how to ease your child’s symptoms and whether you need to see a doctor. You can find out more about the common illnesses your child will experience and how to help them recover below.

High temperature

A high temperature is the body's natural response to fighting infections. A high temperature is 38°C or above. You can usually look after your child at home and the temperature should go down within three to four days.

NHS.uk has more information on how to take your child’s temperature and what you can do to help them while they’re unwell.

Trust your instincts if you think your child is seriously unwell contact NHS 111 for advice.

Coughs, colds and ear infections

Ear infections, coughs and colds in children are very common and you can treat them at home. They are mostly caused by viruses and typically can’t be treated with antibiotics for that reason. Colds typically last for five to seven days, but coughs sometimes last longer and can make your child feel miserable. NHS.uk has some great information about caring for your child when they have a cough, cold or ear infection.

Find out more about the symptoms, treatment and when your child may need further medical help in this NHS.uk video.

Flu

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.

All primary-aged children are offered the flu vaccination in school during the autumn term. Visit the flu vaccination page for more information.

Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis

The most common causes of bronchitis in children are viruses and bacteria and commonly starts as a cold or the flu. Other causes of bronchitis include irritants such as dust, tobacco and strong fumes. Bronchitis usually clears up without treatment in around three weeks but speak to your GP if it continues for any longer. Your child may need antibiotics if the cause of the infection is bacterial. Visit NHS.uk for more information on bronchitis.

Bronchiolitis is a common viral illness in children under two, usually caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It causes the tiniest airways in your child’s lungs to become swollen. This can make it more difficult for your child to breathe but it usually only causes cold like symptoms and mild breathing difficulty.

There’s no specific treatment and your child will usually get better on their own but call 111 if you have any concerns. You can help your child at home by giving them:

plenty of fluids to keep them well hydrated
warm baths and warm drinks
extra comfort and cuddles.

If your child is in pain give them paracetamol or ibuprofen but always check the packaging for dose and frequency.

Asthma and wheezing

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that’s made during breathing. Although a wheeze is a common symptom of asthma, it can also happen when your child has a cough or cold.

There are four steps that can help children and young people to manage their asthma and live full, active lives:

Get an asthma action plan in place.
Understand how to use inhalers correctly.
Schedule an asthma review – every year and after every attack.
Consider air pollution and its impact on lung health.

If your child is asthmatic and unwell, follow their asthma management plan and seek medical advice if you are concerned.

Rashes

Strep A and Scarlet Fever

Strep A is a bacteria found in the throat or skin. It usually causes mild symptoms such as a sore throat but also cause scarlet fever or a skin infection called impetigo, which can be treated with antibiotics.

Scarlet Fever can be treated with antibiotics. Your child might have a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, followed by a rash which feels rough to touch, like sandpaper. The rash usually starts on the chest and stomach first, then spreads to other parts of the body. Your child might have flushed cheeks and be pale around their mouth.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is very common in childhood. It usually gets better within one to two weeks without needing treatment. It is possible to get chickenpox more than once. Chickenpox can be very itchy, uncomfortable and cause a fever.

Help your child at home:

Offer plenty of fluids.
Give paracetamol if they’re in pain. Don’t give your child ibruprofen unless advised to by a medical professional as it can cause skin infections.
Speak to a pharmacist about what antihistamines, cooling creams and gels you can buy over the counter.
Bath your child in cool water, patting them dry, and keeping them in loose comfortable clothing.
Keep them away from newborns and people with low immunity.
Seek medical advice if:
The skin around the blisters is hot, painful and red
The symptoms suddenly become worse.

Upset tummy

Diarrhoea and vomiting is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and is easily spread. Help your child at home:

Let them eat if hungry, but offer plain or bland foods such as bread and pasta. Don’t worry if they haven’t had an appetite for a few days.
Offer them plenty of fluids, just small sips little and often. Also try ice lollies, and ask your pharmacist for advice on using diluted rehydration powders. Avoid fizzy drinks and fruit juices.
If your child is in pain, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen, but always check the packaging for dose and frequency.

If the diarrhoea or vomiting persists and your child is showing signs of dehydration, seek further medical advice.

Constipation

Conjunctivitis

Treatment isn’t usually needed for conjunctivitis because the symptoms often clear up within a couple of weeks. Regularly washing your hands and not sharing pillows or towels will help prevent it spreading. Children don’t need to stay away from
school if they have conjunctivitis, unless they are feeling particularly unwell.

Find out more about the symptoms, treatment and when your child may need further medical help in this NHS.uk video.

Threadworm

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that infect the large intestine of humans. They are common in children under the age of 10. They look like pieces of white thread in your child’s poo. If you think you or your child may have threadworms, you can usually treat the infection yourself with medication available at pharmacies without a prescription.
However, pregnant women must not buy medication from a pharmacy. They
should speak to their GP or use NHS 111 online or by phone.

.The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and, if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll make sure you get the care you need.

It's a good idea to have these at home, you can find these at your local pharmacy:

a thermometer for fevers
simple pain killers
antihistamines
oral rehydration sachets
plasters for cuts and grazes.

Use the right NHS service for you

Many minor health issues can be dealt with at home or by seeing a pharmacist. You can visit an urgent treatment centre if your child has a suspected broken bone or fracture, a sprain or a strain, minor cut, burn or scald. You don’t need an appointment and they are open a minimum of 12 hours a day from 8am to 8pm, 365-days-a-year, including bank holidays. If you’re not sure where to go or what to do, use NHS 111. Available 24/7 online at 111.nhs.uk or by phone. You can also visit www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk for a list of local services, including a map of pharmacies and urgent treatment centres.

When to stay home from school

Many children can go to school happily with a cough or a cold but you know your child best and if you think they are well enough to attend. NHS.uk has a useful guide to help parents decide whether a child is well enough to go to school, based on their symptoms. Your child’s medications can be administered in school if it would be detrimental to their health or school attendance not to do so. You’ll need to provide prescribed medicines that are in-date, properly labelled with instructions, and in their original containers.

Make sure your child is up to date with vaccinations

Vaccines provide the best protection against many common illnesses. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, fewer children are getting routine vaccines, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases like whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. Unvaccinated children are at higher risk of contracting these illnesses and having more severe symptoms than vaccinated classmates.

For many vaccines, such as the Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR), it is never too late to catch up. Contact your GP practice or speak to the School-aged Immunisation Service if your child has not had one or both doses of MMR.

Spotting a serious illness

It can be difficult to know when your child needs medical attention. You know better than anyone else what your child is usually like, so you'll know when something is seriously wrong. Always trust your instincts and if you’re not sure you can call NHS 111 or your GP for advice. If you think your child is seriously unwell, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Here's a checklist of warning signs that might indicate your child is seriously ill:

A high temperature, but cold feet and hands.
A high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
A very high or low temperature or is shivering.
Your child is quiet and listless, even when their temperature is not high.
Rapid breathing or panting.
A throaty noise while breathing.
Your child is finding it hard to get their breath and is sucking their stomach in under their ribs.
Blue, pale, blotchy, or ashen (grey) skin.
Your child is hard to wake up, or appears disoriented or confused.
Your child is crying constantly and you cannot console or distract them, or the cry does not sound like their normal cry.
Green vomit.
Your child has a febrile seizure (fit) for the first time.
Not weeing as normal or other signs of dehydration.
Severe pain.

When to call an ambulance

Call 999 for an ambulance if your child:

stops breathing
will not wake up
has a spotty, purple or red rash anywhere on their body that does not fade when you press a glass against it – this could be a sign of blood poisoning (sepsis)
has a febrile seizure (fit) for the first time, even if they seem to recover
has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
if you think they’ve been seriously injured.

Useful resources

NHS.uk has some great information about looking after a sick child.

Recommended

Services

Pages

Leaflets

Common childhood illnesses

When to call an ambulance

Useful resources