Teenagers can mask their symptoms, worries and pains and so it's important to encourage them to be open and honest about their health concerns. You can find out more about the common illnesses your teen will experience and how to help them recover below. Trust your instincts if you think your child is seriously unwell contact NHS 111 for advice.
Good hygiene stops infections from spreading. Teach your teen 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.
Teens can usually be cared for at home and often feel better in a few days. If they’re uncomfortable, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen.
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 teen might experience and how to help them recover below.
Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for medicines for a range of common childhood illnesses. Instead, these over-the-counter medicines are available to buy in a local pharmacy or supermarket. 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:
- 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
Most teens can manage school 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. As their parent or carer, 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. 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 teen 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 they're seriously unwell, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Here's a checklist of warning signs that might indicate your teen 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.
- Being quiet and listless, even when their temperature is not high.
- Rapid breathing or panting.
- A throaty noise while breathing.
- Finding it hard to get their breath and sucking their stomach in under their ribs.
- Blue, pale, blotchy, or ashen (grey) skin.
- Hard to wake, or appears disoriented or confused.
- Green vomit.
- Not weeing as normal or other signs of dehydration.
- Severe pain.
When to call an ambulance
Call 999 for an ambulance if your child:
- 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 they’ve been seriously injured
- stops breathing
- will not wake up.
Useful resources
NHS.uk has some great information about looking after a sick child.