URTI in kids
Fever
Normal response that may help fight infections
Fever does not harm your child
Bringing down fevers does not seem to prevent febrile seizures
Chesty Cough
Kids with a cold often have a noisy chest or chesty cough
This is because they have smaller airways and thinner rib cages
A kid with a true chest infection will generally become more unwell
50% of kids still have a cough by day 10
10% of kids still have a cough by day 25
Common cold
Colds are very common
Normal healthy kids can have up to 8 or more colds per year
50% of kids with a cold still have symptoms by day 10
10% of kids with a cold still have symptoms by day 25
Green phlegm or snot
Green colour only does not need antibiotics
Sore throat
A sore throat does not need any treatment to make it go away
60% of kids still have a sore throat will be better by day 3
75% of kids with a sore throat will be better after 7 days, whether they take antibiotics or not. Most kids (13 out of 14) who take antibiotics will get better just as quickly as if they have not taken them.
Ear ache
Most of the time, there is no need to treat ear infections with antibiotics.
Pain control with Paracetamol and / or Ibuprofen is all that is normally needed.
50% of kids still have an ear ache after 3 days
After one week, more than 75% of kids will be better whether they take antibiotics or not.
Most kids (14 out of 15) who take antibiotics get better just as quickly as if they had not taken them.
Kids under the age of 2 years with ear infections in both ears and kids with an ear infection that is draining are more likely to benefit from antibiotics
Croup
Occurs in kids from age 6 months to 12 years, most common under 3 years
Caused by a cold virus and causing a barking cough (like a seal bark)
Antibiotics do not help corup
Croup can be monitored by keeping your child calm by sitting them up, holding and comforting them
Your child should see a doctor urgently if:
Their breathing is rapid
The tissues around the neck or below the ribs are pulled in when they breathe
They are becoming agitated, exhausted, bluish-grey or pale, or
They can not swallow or are drooling
Not eating or Drinking
Kids often eat and drink less when unwell
Most kids can go a few days without eating much
Encourage them to drink plenty
Watch for signs of dehydration, such as drowsiness, dry eyes / mouth, or peeing less. This is especially so for young children (under 1) and those who are vomiting.
What Can I Do When My Child Is Sick
Kid’s immune systems are very powerful and will clear most infections by themselves
You can help by making sure they get plenty of rest and offer them healthy food such as fruit
Give your child plenty to drink. this will prevent dehydration, loosen phlegm and lubricate the throat.
Pain and fever and best treated with Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen. If needed you can alternate doses of these every 3 hours. Make sure you don’t exceed the maximum recommended dose.
Never give your kid Aspirin as it is not safe
Avoid smoking around your kid
What not take Antibiotics?
Using antibiotics can make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Meaning they may no longer work in the future if needed for a serious infection.
Most antibiotics have side effects including diarrhoea, rashes, and stomach upset
Antibiotics kill our natural bacterial that help protect us. This can lead to infections such as thrush.
Antibiotics can also cause allergic reactions. This is commonly annoying rashes but can occasionally be severe reactions.
When should I seek help?
If you are significantly worried.
In an emergency, you can call an ambulance by dialing 000
Alternatively, you can take your child to the emergency department at a local hospital
The following are signs of possible serious illness
Your child is drowsy or irritable. Kids with a fever are often more sleepy, irritable, or lacking interest than usual but they often improve after Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. If they do not improve, or if they are very drowsy indeed, you should consider seeking help.
Your kid has problems breathing. Including breathing very fast and being short of breath or working hard to breathe. You may see the tissues between the ribs and below the voice box sucking in with each breath. If there is a lot of difficulty breathing then seek help urgently.
Cold or discoloured hands or feet with a warm body
Your child has a fit or seizure
Unusual skin colour (pale, blue, or dusky around the lips)
A temperature of 39c or more in a child aged 3 to 6 months or age
A temperature of 38c or more in a child less than 3 months of age
An infant who is not feeding or any kid showing signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, and looking generally unwell
Signs of meningitis including unusually severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash that does not fade
Consider seeing a GP if a cough longer than 3 weeks, a fever for 24 hours without other signs of infection, any fever lasting more than 5 days, or if your child loses weight after being sick and does not regain within 2 weeks if under 5 years old or 4 weeks in an older child.