NHS doctor's 5 tips will help your kids beat most common winter illnesses - The Mirror

If you want to protect yourself and your family this winter, consider following this handy advice that's been issued by a doctor. Here are five tips you need to know

While we've all experienced having a cold, it can be a lot different if you find that your baby or toddler has fallen ill.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses that can cause coughs and cold during the winter months – and it's the very same that leads to the ‘common cold’. If not treated, it can lead to bronchiolitis for people under the age of two years old.

Thankfully, symptoms are usually mild and treatable at home. And for mild cases of RSV, symptoms usually get better within one to two weeks on its own. Meanwhile, symptoms of bronchiolitis are usually at their worst between days three and five, but coughs usually get better within three weeks.

To help, a NHS doctor named Dr Ahmed Ezzat has shared his top five tips on what you can do to help ease symptoms from the comfort of your home. These are:

What to do if your child gets RSV or bronchiolitis

1. Manage fevers

For his first tip, Dr Ezzat recommends using ibuprofen or paracetamol, such as Calpol, to help treat any fevers and discomfort caused by the virus. But make sure to always follow the instructions on the packet to see if the medication is safe to use.

He added: "If your child has a high temperature and is uncomfortable, give children ibuprofen or paracetamol. Always check the label to make sure that is is suitable for your child."

Meanwhile, he urges parents to not try to lower their temperature by spooning cold water over them or taking off all of their clothes to cool them down.

2. Saline nose drops for blocked nose

If you find that your child has a blocked nose, Dr Ezzat recommends using a saline nose drops from a pharmacy to help ease symptoms.

These saline nose drops can help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose. If you want to know more, you can go to your pharmacist, GP, or health visitors to ask for more advice.

3. Encourage them to drink more

You should also encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to keep them hydrated, as it helps their bodies fight off the virus. Staying hydrated when ill also thins mucus to clear airways, regulates fevers, flushes waste, moisturises membranes (skin, nose, mouth) to block germs from entering the body, while also prevents dehydration from increased fluid loss due to fevers or vomiting.

The health expert recommended: "Try smaller feeds in babies more often. And in older children, give them extra water or diluted fruit juice."

4. Keep them upright

Next up, Dr Ezzat urges parents to keep their little ones sitting or standing upright as much as possible while they're awake. This will help them breathe more easily, especially if they have a blocked nose.

Elevating your head while sick allows gravity to assist with drainage, preventing mucus from pooling in your sinuses and throat, which reduces congestion, sinus pressure, and coughing fits.

Lying completely flat causes postnasal drip, making it harder to breathe and sleep, while being upright helps keep airways clearer.

5. Make sure they get plenty of rest

Finally, just like with when adults get ill, it's important to make sure your child gets plenty of rest to help the body recover faster.

Resting allows their immune system to focus on fighting the virus and helps to conserve energy, preventing complications, and reducing the spread of germs.

If you find that your young child or baby is experiencing worrying cold-like symptoms or fevers, the NHS recommends calling your GP to ask for an emergency appointment, or call 111 for advice.

Meanwhile, if they're having difficulty breathing, pausing their breathing, or being floppy and not staying awake, the NHS says to trust your judgment and call 999 for emergency help.