What to do if your child has a cough, cold or viruses

Coughs and colds are extremely common in young children. Over the first few years of life, your child might have these every month.

Coughing is the body’s natural way of clearing infection
Most of these are likely to be caused by a virus, which means that antibiotics don’t help. Antibiotics might cause side effects such as rash and diarrhoea, or increase the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.
Having green snot or a noisy chest does not mean that your child has an infection needing antibiotics
Coughing can wake a child in the night but does not mean the illness is more severe
It can take 2-3 weeks for children to get better, these illnesses can often be treated at home.

Treat at home and visit your community pharmacy

You can treat your child at home with support from your community pharmacy if:

they are taking in more than half of normal feeds, and
making wet nappies, or
their high temperature lasts less than 5 days.

What should you do?

Keep your child well hydrated by offering them lots to drink.
Most children with coughs and colds do not require treatment with antibiotics.
If your child seems to be in pain or discomfort, you can give your child Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, following the instructions on the container.
Do not give cough syrup. It is not recommended for children under 6 years. It can make children sleepy and does not help.
Try using saline nose drops or spray if your baby has a blocked nose.
For children over 1 year, a spoon of honey (perhaps in a warm drink) half an hour before bed may help them to wake less often in the night.
For children over 2 years, vapour rubs (containing camphor, menthol and/or eucalyptus) may help children sleep better.

How long will symptoms last?

Coughs and colds can continue for weeks before they get better.
Over the winter, children are likely to get one viral infection after another, which can make you think that they are never well. Things will get better in the summer months.
Having a cough for 2 or 3 weeks does not mean that your child needs antibiotics

Your community pharmacy team are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such. You do not need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call if you need some additional advice. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.