Super Bodies’ is a new NHS campaign covering Cheshire and Merseyside highlighting simple ways that parents can treat their children’s common illnesses at home.

No need for antibiotics

Illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear ache, which often start circulating at this time of year, do not need treating with antibiotics. In fact, because these conditions are usually caused by viral infections, antibiotics rarely speed up recovery from them.

The Super Bodies website provides tips on how to treat ailments like sore throats cold, coughs and ear ache using age-appropriate, over-the-counter painkillers and drinking plenty of fluids. Lolly ices are suggested to help soothe painful throats while traditional treatments, including hot lemon and honey for children aged over 1-year, are also recommended.

You can find the Super Bodies advice here.  

Super Bodies also explains to parents when they should visit their GP or call NHS 111. This could be when the child has a weakened immune system, the cough lasts for more than three weeks, or the young person develops a very high temperature or feels hot and shivery.

Their ‘super bodies’ get to work

Dr Fiona Lemmens, GP and Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Children are likely to pick up common viruses at this time of year, especially while mixing in school and nursery environments, but they are usually nothing to worry about.

“Their ‘super bodies’ get to work, and most children with a normal immune system and up to date immunisations will fight off these common illnesses with a little TLC at home.

“The evidence shows that most children actually recover from these ailments in the same amount of time with or without antibiotics, which have no effect on viruses and so don’t actually help to fight off the infection.”

Side effects

Susanne Lynch MBE, Chief Pharmacist at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, added: “Antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat most infections.

“They are often unlikely to speed up the healing process, they can cause unwanted side effects such as diarrhoea, and your child will usually get better without taking unnecessary medication.

“Overusing antibiotics can also contribute to ‘antibiotic resistance’, which means that these medications are becoming less effective at killing off bacteria. This is a very serious threat to the health of our population, but we can all help to fight back by only using antibiotics when they are needed.

“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.”

Find out more

You can find the Super Bodies advice here.  

You can also find the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital symptom checker here

You can also download the Healthier Together App at www.healthiertogether.app