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It’s easy to worry when dealing with children’s winter bugs. But seasonal ailments are inevitable, says GP Dr Máire Finn.
“Parents feel they’ve failed if their child gets sick, but we all get exposed to more viruses in winter. We’re indoors more, so bugs spread from one to another.”
What is important is making these illnesses as manageable as possible, “so they’re more of an inconvenience than a serious matter”.
Pharmacist Laura Dowling, aka Fabulous Pharmacist, says catching bugs and developing antibodies against them is an important part of growing up.
She emphasises that coughs, colds, and sniffles are generally viral in nature and need to be dealt with accordingly.
“You don’t necessarily have to rush a child to a doctor or think they need an antibiotic. Some parents are disappointed when they’re not prescribed an antibiotic — they feel they’ve paid their money and should come away with something — but we need to ensure antibiotics are only prescribed when needed.”
None of this means we are powerless to help children combat the typical bugs that circulate in the darker months. By building up their immunity, we equip them to be robust and resilient, no matter what infections come their way.
Childhood vaccines protect against diseases such as rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and pertussis (whooping cough).
“Always ensure your children are up to date with their childhood vaccines. That helps against the seasonal stuff,” says Dr Finn, adding that pertussis is surging in Ireland at the moment.
In late October, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported 514 cases of pertussis, compared to very low numbers in recent years – in 2018, there were 18 cases. Cycles of increased pertussis typically occur every five years.
The free nasal spray flu vaccine is available for all two- to 17-year-olds from participating GP practices and pharmacies.
Lucy Jessop, a consultant in public health medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office, says flu is a serious illness that can be dangerous in children. Children are twice as likely as adults to catch it and spread it easily to their peers.
“While most children who catch flu have mild symptoms, it can sometimes lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Dr Finn adds that flu is a different virus every year. “Getting it one year doesn’t protect children from getting it next year. And if you have a child with an underlying condition, or there’s a really bad flu epidemic this year, you’ll be glad your child got the vaccine.”
Dr Finn also urges parents of children with chronic illness to ensure the condition is well-controlled and medications are kept up to date.
“Make sure any underlying bowel or skin condition is managed and, in the case of asthma, be sure that inhalers are up to date.”
Teach your child cough and sneeze etiquette. Explain that if they don’t have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their elbow — not their hands.
If they do use a tissue, tell them to bin it when done. “Some infections are spread by droplets — all infections are spread by touch,” says Dr Finn, adding that keeping their hands clean will keep children safest.
According to University of Michigan Health, the simple friction from rubbing skin against skin with soap and water, followed by rinsing and drying, is enough to get rid of most common cold germs.
“A healthy diet full of vegetables and fruit helps children build immunity,” says Ms Dowling.
Dr Finn says parents are often interested in supplements but should think of food first.
Including citrus fruit, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and potatoes will boost your child’s vitamin C levels.
Studies show that, compared to a placebo, vitamin C significantly decreases the severity of the common cold by 15%.
Meanwhile, studies have shown that zinc — found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and wholegrains — reduces the duration of ongoing colds.
According to the WHO, vitamin D deficiency in children has been strongly associated with risk of acute lower respiratory infections.
Vitamin D is found in oily fish (salmon, sardines, herrings, and mackerel), red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified foods —but often the amount in food is quite small.
The body can create vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin outdoors — but from October to early March, sunlight is not strong enough to make vitamin D.
- 5mg as a daily supplement if breastfed or taking less than 300ml of infant formula daily.
- 5mg from Halloween to St Patrick’s Day, while five to 12-year-olds need 10mg, and over 13s need 15mg.
When you are asleep, you are not just “not awake”, points out Dr Finn.
“Sleep is a very active time from an immune and cognitive point of view. During sleep, our brains remodel —we make and lay down memories and thought pathways.
“And if we don’t get into restorative sleep, our immune systems don’t work as well. People are more inclined to be unwell if they’ve chronic sleep difficulties.”
She recommends nine to 12 hours minimum for toddlers to 12-year-olds and eight to 10 hours for teens.
“Children are very frequently not going to bed early, and yet early sleep is really important. Children’s stress management, coping mechanisms, and mental health are better with consistent sleep and a good routine.”
A mum-of-three, Ms Dowling is a big believer in getting children out in the fresh air — and in exposing them to “clean dirt”.
Dr Finn agrees, adding: “It helps them sleep better, and it makes them hungrier — so they’ll eat better.”
When they get sick, what can you do besides have liquid paracetamol and ibuprofen handy and ensure they get plenty of rest and stay hydrated?
Dr Finn suggests tea with honey and lemon. “Honey’s a natural antiseptic. Lemon has vitamin C.
All these old treatments are great, like chicken soup. What you’re doing is managing this short-lived infection.”
For over one-year-olds, Ms Dowling suggests letting them take raw honey off a spoon.
“Honey can soothe a tickly throat and help a cough.”
Research has found that, for one to 18-year-olds, providing honey for cough symptoms can reduce frequency and severity of cough, as well as improve sleep, when compared with placebo or no treatment.
Ms Dowling — whose boys are aged 16, 13 and 11 — finds a humidifier helpful for congestion.
“I used to put a humidifier on for their naps, or for the first few hours after they went to bed.
“Sometimes, I’d add eucalyptus — it provided great relief.
“Or take them into the shower — steam can loosen congestion.”
Meanwhile, research presented at this year’s European Respiratory Society Congress suggests that simple saline nasal drops can reduce the duration of the common cold in children by two days.
- If temperature is over 38C and you cannot control it after 24 hours;
- Immediately for babies under three months if temperature is 38C or higher;
- If dehydrated;
- If breathing is laboured;
- If very irritable and fatigued;
- If a new, unexplainable pain arises;
- If there is an unusual rash.
Ms Dowling says a parent’s instinct isn’t to be discounted: “Go with your gut.”