RHCG - Cough and Cold

Cough and Cold

Coughs and colds are very common in young children. It is normal for a child to have 8 or more colds a year. Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children.

Coughing is the body's natural way of clearing infection
Most of these are likely to be caused by a virus. Antibiotics do not help treat viruses (and can result in side effects such as rash and diarrhoea, as well as increasing the risk of them developing antibiotic resistance)
Having green snot or a noisy chest does not mean that your child has an infection requiring antibiotics
It can sometimes be harder to identify the cause of a cough. In general, if your child also has a runny nose, red eyes, ear pain or a wheeze, it is far more likely to be viral infection. Noisy chests are also common in young children with viral infections.

When should I get help?

If your child has any of the following:

Has blue lips
Has pauses in their breathing (apnoeas) or has an irregular breathing pattern or starts grunting
Has a harsh breath noise as they breathe in (stridor) present all of the time (even when they are not upset)
Is too breathless to talk, eat or drink
Is pale, mottled (blotchy rash) and feels cold to touch
Is very agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or hard to wake
Has a rash that does not go away when you press on it (the ‘Glass Test’)
Is under 3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above (unless within 48 hours of having their vaccinations)

You need help now.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following:

Is breathing fast or they are working hard to breath –pulling in below their lower ribs, at their neck or between their ribs (recession).
A harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor) present only when they are upset.
Seems dehydrated (has sunken eyes, dry mouth, hard to wake or not had a wee for 12 hours)
Is very sleepy or irritable (you are unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or by picking up) – especially if they are still drowsy or irritable after their fever has come down
Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they have had their vaccinations)
Has a fever of 38.0°C or above for 5 or more days
Is getting worse or if you are worried

You need to see a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 24 - dial 111

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 24 staff, then consider taking them to your nearest ED.

If your child has none of the red or amber features

Self care

You can keep looking after your child at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 24 – dial 111

What should I do?

Give your child plenty of fluid (lots to drink) to keep them well hydrated. If your child is over 6 months of age and is not not eating make sure that you offer them milk or sugary drinks
Most children with coughs/colds do not need treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics rarely speed up recovery. They can cause side effects such as rash and diarrhoea. They will also promote the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in your child.
You can try giving your child paracetamol (calpol) and/or ibuprofen - cough syrup does not tend to help with coughs.
You can try using saline nose drops or spray if your baby has a blocked nose.
For children over 1 year, a spoon of honey (perhaps in a warm drink) half an hour before bed may help them to wake less often in the night.
For children over 2 years, vapour rubs (containing camphor, menthol and/or eucalyptus) may help children sleep better.
Make sure the whole family wash their hands regularly to stop the virus spreading

How long will my child’s symptoms last?

Unfortunately, coughs and colds can be there for weeks before they get better. Over the winter, children are likely to get one viral infection after another, which can make you think that they are never well. Things will get better in the summer months!
Having a cough for 2 or 3 weeks does not mean that your child needs antibiotics.
You should see a doctor if your child was getting better but then gets worse.
These charts show how long coughs and colds last in children. The faces below represent 10 children who have seen their GP with a cough or cold. Green faces are those children who have recovered within that time period.

^{The diagrams are taken from www.whenshouldiworry.com}

Where should I get help?

If it is non urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
If your child has any of the above red or amber features, urgently see your GP. For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
You should only call 999 or go your nearest emergency department in critical or life threatening situations.

Self Care

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when needed. Use any medicines recommended by your pharmacist or doctor. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can get better from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly. It is important to get further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

More information on common childhood illnesses.

Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare. They are the first port of call for minor ailments and can provide advice and medication (if needed) for a wide range of long term conditions and common ailments including coughs and colds.

Pharmacy First is a free service. You do not need an appointment and many pharmacies have a private consultation area.

Your pharmacist will let you know if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.

Health Visitor

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who promote healthy lifestyle and prevent illness through the Universal Health Visiting Pathway. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.

Your health visitor may be able to refer you on to other health professionals, for example if there are hearing or vision concerns.

Contact them by phoning your local health visiting team.

Sound advice

Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:

Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
Exercise, hygiene and safety
Your child’s growth and development
Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
Safety in the home
Stopping smoking
Contraception and sexual health
Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
Toilet training
Minor illnesses

For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?

GP (General Practitioner)

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to the Emergency Department.
For minor injuries such as cuts that need stitches, broken bones, sprains and minor burns in children aged 5 or over, go to one of our Minor Injury Units (MIU).

NHS 24

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 24 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.

Emergency Department

Emergency departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

Many visits to the Emergency Department and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services.
If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment.
Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to the Emergency Department or riding in an ambulance

Content adapted with permission from the what0-18.nhs.uk resource produced by the Healthier Together initiative

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 22 September 2022

Next review: 22 August 2025

Reviewer Name(s): Dr Morag Wilson; Dr Geetika Kumar