Had I not been made redundant this year I would be busy putting up posters around my Community Hospital ward; letting patients, visitors, colleagues and other health professionals know that ‘coughs and sneezes spread diseases’. Our infection control department would be sending out their flu vaccine timetable, information posters and emails to remind us to be alert for the spread of infection.
Whilst we can all do our best to help prevent the spread of infection, sadly, it only takes one person to be careless and all the hard work goes to pot. Something I have come to realise from having children, is that no matter how many times I chase them to wash their hands, wipe their noses with tissues ‘catch it, bin it’ and ensuring that they are not getting too close to those with coughs and colds, it just won’t happen. The reality is that we are all likely to get at least one cold this winter, no matter how careful we are so it is important to think about how best to deal with a snotty, under the weather child.
Dr. Roger Henderson has been working with Olbas to help parents get their little ones back to health as soon as possible. As we all know how miserable a cold can be, and it’s even worse when you’re little. To help them recover and get back to their usual selves let them rest if they want to, keep them hydrated, give them lots of support and cuddles – even let them watch TV or use a computer game if it takes their mind off their symptoms!
Let them rest. They may vary between feeling active and then very lethargic and sleepy. If they want to sleep or rest, let them – extra rest can help them recover faster. Remember not to cover them with too many blankets though as this can increase their high temperature.
Keep them well hydrated. Dehydration will make your child’s symptoms feel worse and if they have a high temperature they will dehydrate faster than usual. Drinking little and often is fine but keep an eye out for possible signs of dehydration, which include passing very dark urine, not having any tears if crying and having dry lips.
Use a decongestant to help unblock a stuffy nose, reduce the catarrh of a cold and help with breathing.
Call your GP if your child has a very high temperature that does not go down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen if they seem unusually drowsy or lethargic, will not eat or drink, or becomes short of breath or wheezy.
Help relieve the symptoms of a cold such as a high temperature and aches and pains by giving them ibuprofen or paracetamol – ask your pharmacist or doctor for the correct dosage advice.
Here’s to a healthy and snot free winter!
We are in the midst of the winter bugs and its a nightmare.
It’s definitely that time of the year isn’t it? I’m fully expecting mine to come down with them as soon as school finishes!