If you are experiencing cold and flu symptoms we encourage you to practice good hygiene (washing hands for 20 seconds with warm water, and cleaning between fingers and under nails) and physical distancing to help slow the spread of germs. If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, coughing, sore throat or shortness of breath you should seek medical advice from a doctor (including pathology testing) and stay at home (not go to school or work).
The symptoms for colds and the flu can be similar, but you can keep an eye out for the following symptoms and monitor how they develop in your child. The symptoms of cold and flu include:
Flu:
Cold:
It’s normal for a child to have several colds a year, especially during the winter months. Children get more colds than adults as they do not yet have the same immunity to the more than 200 viruses that can cause a cold.
Colds and flu are seasonal viruses, and are caused by the spread of germs through coughs and sneezes.
You can help your child manage some symptoms of a cold without seeing a doctor, but if their symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to contact a medical professional. If their symptoms seem to be more severe day by day, you should also contact a doctor.
Here are some suggestions to help your child through colds and flu:
To minimise the risk, you can get the flu vaccine from your GP before the start of the flu season to reduce your risk of contracting flu and/or spreading it.
Ibuprofen helps to relieve pain and fever associated with colds and flu without causing drowsiness. There are also tablets, caplets and liquid capsules available.
Nurofen for Children comes in different formulations for children of different ages (from 3 months of age). It helps to temporarily relieve pain and fever and can be taken either as a liquid suspension or a soft gel chew.
See your doctor if your child has cold and flu symptoms and:
- they have a medical condition
- you are concerned for any reason
- they are showing signs of severe illness, including poor feeding, dehydration and difficulty breathing.
This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. Do not use if you have a stomach ulcer. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. Reckitt Benckiser, Auckland. TAPS-NA12948. RB-M-06963.
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