As we approach the Spring bank holiday weekend and half-term breaks, NHS Lincolnshire ICB is advising parents how to deal with a range of common childhood illnesses – by seeking advice from their local pharmacy.
Why Children Get Ill More Often
Young children are more vulnerable to coughs, colds, and infections because their immune systems are still developing. As a result, they tend to get sick more often and take longer to recover, especially during winter when many illnesses are common.
Although it’s worrying when a child is unwell, most winter illnesses can be treated at home with over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy. Parents should visit their local pharmacy first and follow the advice of pharmacists on available remedies.
Support for Parents
Childhood illness can be stressful, especially for parents of young children who can’t communicate exactly how they feel. However, in most cases, illnesses can be managed at home with medication, rest, fluids, and care. If symptoms are concerning or new, a pharmacist can provide further advice.
If your child becomes ill in the night there is information available online at www.nhs.uk or you can contact NHS 111 online or call 111 if you need urgent medical advice but it’s not a life-threatening emergency.
Pharmacies may also offer treatments and prescription medicines for some conditions, without needing to see a GP. This service is known as Pharmacy First. The conditions treated as part of this service include:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed. They will then update your GP health record.
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.