Parents / carers of children 2-9 years managing colds Parents / carers of children 2-9 years managing colds

When your child catches a cold, you naturally want to help them get better soon. But did you know that antibiotics won't help your child's cold?

Antibiotics work on bacteria, not on viruses that cause common colds. Common colds are caused by viruses and usually get better on their own in 7–10 days.

So if your child has a common cold, you can help them by encouraging them to take it easy, relieving their symptoms and talking to your doctor or pharmacist if their symptoms get worse.

Find out more from the Common colds need common sense campaign, where you can:

• find out more about managing colds in children
• download activities for your child
• read tips to help prevent the spread of colds 
  
• see questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist
  
• learn how to help clear mucus, blocked sinuses or runny nose 
  
• learn how to help relieve a sore throat.
  

MedicinesTalk articles you might find useful in relation to your child’s health:

• Kids and cold
• Keep out of reach of children
• Measuring children’s medicines
• Medicines and young children
• Giving paracetamol to young children
• Harvey says no to antibiotics
• Young people talk about medicines

Footer