Illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear ache are extremely common in young children, but did you know… our children’s ‘super bodies’ are designed to fight off many common illnesses, without the need for antibiotics?

These common ailments and can be unpleasant for children and their caregivers, but are most often caused by viral infections and do not need to be treated with antibiotics; antibiotics rarely speed up recovery for these conditions.

Instead, our children’s ‘super bodies’ get to work, and most children with a normal immune system and up to date immunisations will recover in roughly the same amount of time with or without antibiotics.

Take a look at the usual recovery times for coughs, sore throats, and earache:

How to help your child get well

Find out how to care for your child when they are unwell, and learn what symptoms to look out for and when to get medical help. If they're 5 years old or over you can also get advice from 111 online.

How to feel better at home

  • Try to stay home and avoid contact with others if they have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do their normal activities.
  • Treat pain and/or temperature with age-appropriate painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
  • Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Try hot lemon and honey (not suitable for babies under 1 year old).
  • Speak to your local pharmacist for advice. 

When to visit your GP

  • Their cough lasts for more than 3 weeks.
  • They have a weakened immune system (for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes).
  • They are losing weight for no reason. 

When to call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment

  • They are coughing up blood.
  • If their cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, they have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing.
  • If they feel very unwell or have chest pain.
  • The side of their neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands).

Go to A&E or call 999 immediately

  • If they are finding it hard to breathe.

Further information

How to feel better at home

  • Rest and drink plenty of water.
  • Try lolly ices to soothe painful throats.
  • Treat pain with age-appropriate painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
  • Think Pharmacy First for advice and, if appropriate, treatment for children age 5 years or over.

 When to visit your GP

  • If their sore throat doesn’t improve after a week.
  • If they often get sore throats.

When to call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment

  • They have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery.
  • they have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or dark, strong-smelling pee.
  • They have a weakened immune system (for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes).

 When to call 999 or visit A&E

  • They have difficulty breathing or are unable to swallow.
  • They are drooling – this can be a sign of not being able to swallow.
  • They make a high-pitched sound as they breathe (called stridor).
  • If their symptoms are severe or worsening quickly.

Further information

How to feel better at home

  • Treat pain with age-appropriate painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
  • Place a warm or cold wet cloth on their ear.
  • Do not put any oil, eardrops or cotton buds into your child's ear, unless a GP advises you to do so.
  • Think Pharmacy First for advice and, if appropriate, treatment for children 1 to 17 years.

 When to visit your GP

  • Your child is under 12 months old and you think they need help for earache.

  • They have earache for more than 3 days.

  • If they keep getting earache/ear infections.

 When to call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment

  • If they become generally unwell.
  • They have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery.
  • There is swelling around the ear.
  • There is fluid coming out of their ear.
  • They have something stuck in their ear.
  • Hearing loss or a change in hearing.
  • If they are under 2 years old and have earache in both ears.
  • They have a weakened immune system (for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes).

Further information

You know your children best, so do seek medical help if you are concerned about their symptoms, or if their ‘super bodies’ need a bit more support because they are immunosuppressed or have other existing medical conditions.

Keeping antibiotics working for those in need

Common illnesses such as coughs, ear ache and sore throats don’t usually need treating with antibiotics, and your child will get better without taking unnecessary medication.

In fact, antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat most infections, because:

  • Many infections in children are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are not effective
  • Antibiotics are often unlikely to speed up the healing process
  • Antibiotics can cause unwanted side effects for your child, such as rash and diarrhoea
  • The more often antibiotics are used to treat minor conditions, the more likely they are to become ineffective for treating more serious conditions.

Super bodies preventing super bugs

Our children’s ‘super bodies’ do amazing work against common illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear ache.

By preparing ourselves with the information and knowledge to care for them at home, spot more serious symptoms, and know when and where to get help, we can support them to feel better sooner, and without unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Further information

  • Find advice on our website for children and young people.

  • Visit our Pharmacy First page to find out how your local pharmacy can help you with seven common conditions.

  • Find your nearest pharmacy via the NHS website.

  • The Superbodies campaign is courtesy of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, adapted for NHS Birmingham and Solihull.

Learn more about antibiotics, including when to use them and why