Expert offers advice on treating winter viruses
As the weather gets colder, more children are starting to pick up coughs, colds and other winter viruses, including croup, flu and bronchiolitis.
Most children can be looked after safely at home. Your local pharmacy can advise on everyday coughs, colds and fevers. If you're worried or unsure, NHS 111 is available day and night.
Dr Prasad Nagakumar, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician at our Children's Hospital, has shared some advice for parents and carers, particularly about croup.
"Croup is common in babies and young children, and we always see more of it in autumn and winter," he said. "What we are seeing in Birmingham at the moment is what we'd expect for this time of year.
"Croup is usually caused by a common cold virus called parainfluenza, but other winter viruses like flu and RSV can cause similar symptoms. Flu is starting to rise, so now is a good time to make sure your child has their flu vaccine. It's offered free to children from age two, usually as a quick nasal spray."
Dr Nagakumar (pictured right) explained what croup sounds like in a child: "The tell-tale sign is a barking cough that sounds a bit like a seal. Your child might also have a hoarse voice or make a high pitched, rasping noise when they breathe in. It often starts like a cold and tends to be worse at night.
"If you think your child has croup, call NHS 111 or speak to your GP. They can confirm it and may give your child medicine to help them get better more quickly. Most children recover within 48 hours."
And he offered these tips to help your child when caring for them at home:
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Sit your child upright rather than letting them lie down.
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Keep them calm and comfort them, because crying can make breathing harder.
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Give them plenty to drink.
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Check on them regularly, including during the night.
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Give paracetamol or ibuprofen if they have a high temperature or seem uncomfortable.
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Please don't put your child in a steamy room or ask them to breathe in steam. It doesn't help and there's a risk of burns.
"Trust your instincts as a parent,” he added.
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if your child:
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is struggling to breathe, for example grunting, or their tummy is sucking in under their ribs
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has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue (on brown or black skin, check the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
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is sleepier than usual, hard to wake, or unusually quiet and still
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is floppy or not responding to you as they normally would
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is very upset or restless, is having difficulty breathing, and can't be calmed down
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is drooling more than usual, finding it hard to swallow, or wants to sit up rather than lie down
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Don't drive yourself if your child is this unwell. Ask someone else to drive or call 999 for an ambulance.