A child’s immune system is very powerful, and will clear up most common infections by itself. 

You can help your child fight the infection by making sure they get plenty of rest and offering them healthy food (like fruit).

Give your child plenty to drink. This will help prevent dehydration, loosen phlegm, and lubricate the throat. Try to avoid very sugary drinks.

Pain and fever are best treated with Paracetamol and / or Ibuprofen.

Pacacetamol and Ibuprofen work differently. They can be used together if one alone has not worked. Just make sure you do not give more than the maximum recommended dose of either of them. These products often tell parents not to use them for more than a couple of days without seeing a doctor. If your child does not have any of the features on the "Red Flag" page, and you are not overly worried about them, you can continue to treat with these products for longer than this. 

Make sure no-one smokes around your child.

See sections on fever and cough for advice on dealing with these symptoms.