Supporting your children’s ‘super bodies’ this winter

Illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear aches are extremely common in young children, but healthcare leaders are asking parents and carers to think twice before treating them with antibiotics, as they rarely speed up recovery for these conditions, which are most often caused by viral infections.

Instead, the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ‘Super Bodies’ campaign is sharing a guide for parents and carers on the simple things they can do to treat these common ailments at home, as well as helping them to spot the signs of a more serious illness, and knowing when and where to go for medical help.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, GP and Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:

“Children are likely to pick up common viruses at this time of year, especially while mixing in school and nursery environments, but they are usually nothing to worry about. Their ‘super bodies’ get to work, and most children with a normal immune system and up to date immunisations will fight off these common illnesses with a little TLC at home.

“The evidence shows that most children actually recover from these ailments in the same amount of time with or without antibiotics, which have no effect on viruses and so don’t actually help to fight off the infection.”

Susanne Lynch MBE, Chief Pharmacist at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, added:

“Antibiotics are not needed for common infections. They are often unlikely to speed up the healing process, they can cause unwanted side effects such as diarrhoea, and your child will usually get better without taking unnecessary medication.

“Overusing antibiotics can also contribute to ‘antibiotic resistance’, which means that these medications are becoming less effective at killing off bacteria. This is a very serious threat to the health of our population, but we can all help to fight back by only using antibiotics when they are needed.

“You know your children best, so do seek further help if you are concerned about their symptoms, or if their ‘super bodies’ need a bit more support because they are immunosuppressed or have other existing medical conditions.”

Parents and carers of young children can find information on treating coughs, ear aches and sore throats on the ‘Super Bodies’ website page, as well as finding a list of more serious signs and symptoms to look out for.

Find out when children need to stay home, visit their GP, call NHS 111, or when to call 999 or attend A&E. Visit: www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/Super-Bodies 

For more information and support when your child is unwell:

•    Visit the Alder Hey symptom checker online: www.alderhey.nhs.uk/conditions/symptoms-checker 

•    Download the Healthier Together App: www.healthiertogether.app