An Irish doctor has issued advice on how to tackle common illnesses in children after the Christmas period.
Dr Illona Duffy said that everyone can be susceptible to an earache or a sore throat, and it’s important to know what to look for when it’s your children who become ill.
Firstly, as has been the case over the last 21 months, if you are feeling unwell, it’s important to get a PCR test to rule out Covid-19.
When a negative result comes back, it’s then time to look at how to manage the symptoms of the infection - particularly when it’s your children or an older relative.
Thermometers are crucial when it comes to the illness of a child, according to Dr Duffy.
She said: “Every household should have a thermometer, because it’s not accurate enough to just touch a child or touch yourself and think, ‘Gosh, maybe I’m hot, maybe I’m not.’”
This is because even if your child feels chilly, it could mean they are at their highest temperature. A thermometer will help you to gauge the next steps in dealing with the illness.
If your child does have a high temperature, Dr Duffy recommends taking a pain reliever, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to bring it down.
“What is a high temperature? Well, officially, it’s anything that is above 37.5 degrees Celsius, but many people will feel okay with that. They don’t necessarily have to take the paracetamol or the ibuprofen for that," she told Clare McKenna on Newstalk's Late Breakfast.
“But, if they’re feeling unwell, or they have a headache, if they’ve aches and pains, if they’re just really flat in themselves, then it’s worth definitely managing the temperature.
“Do you have to worry if the temperature hasn’t come right down to normal? No, I suppose, is what I’d say.”
Dr Duffy explained that a rising temperature indicates that the body is fighting an infection. With viral infections, she said, temperatures usually improve within three days.
If they do not drop within 72 hours, it could mean that your child has a bacterial infection or a secondary infection instead.
When is it time to get antibiotics?
Around 90% of earaches are viral, according to Dr Duffy, which means that an antibiotic is not needed.
However, if there is discharge from the ear or severe, constant pain that doesn’t ease with a pain killer or a decongestant, you should see a doctor as an antibiotic may be needed to clear it.
Similarly, the majority of sore throats are viral, but there are a number of signs that may indicate that you should bring your child to a doctor.
“It will always be a temperature above 38, perhaps puss in the throat or a very enlarged tonsil and the glands in the neck - you know, below the jaw bone there - they’re swollen and sore,” Dr Duffy said.
“Typically with a bacterial tonsillitis, you won’t have snuffles or a cough.”
Lozenges and paracetamol can help to ease a sore throat, as well as monitoring the temperature.
While each virus is different, it’s important to note how your child is feeling and whether they feel like eating and drinking or not.
Dr Duffy said: “If you’re older or very young, you’re more likely to become dehydrated. You’re more likely to develop serious illness.
"Therefore, you’re the kind of person we want to watch. Especially, young babies. If we find they’re really reduced feeding and not wetting their nappies, that’s a cause of concern.
“It’s watching and seeing are things improving and if symptoms are getting worse and, more importantly, if they have temperatures, are they starting to settle after 72 hours, after the three-day mark?”
Dr Duffy recommends the HSE website undertheweather.ie for further information on common illnesses and how to deal with them.
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