Colds & earaches in children

Good English language skills are usually helpful when advising foreign-language customers. If their child has a severe cold parents usually look for quick help at the pharmacy. PTA-Forum has compiled the most important vocabulary, questions and advice on the subject of "Colds and earaches in children".

Colds are considerably more frequent among children than adults, as a child’s immune system is not yet fully developed. In most cases, these colds and the symptoms disappear within a few days. Especially babies and infants suffer a lot from cold symptoms: runny or congested nose, sore throat cough and headache. Additionally, the little ones frequently get earache, which can develop into otitis inflammation of the middle ear. In this case, on principle it is advisable to see a paediatrician for clarification of its cause.

Many parents naturally want to help their child as quickly as possible and seek advice at the chemist’s first. Before any medicine can be recommended, PTA or the pharmacist needs to ask some questions and clarify if self-medication can be responsibly commended. As is known, when recommending any drugs, the child’s age must be taken into consideration.

Important questions for the consultation

• How old is your child?
• Which symptoms are especially bad?
• Since when has your child had these symptoms?
• Have you measured your child’s temperature?
• Is your child sleeping more than usual?
• Is your child eating and drinking as usual?
• Does your child take any medication regularly?
• Have you already seen a doctor on account of these symptoms?

Additional information

• Make sure your child drinks sufficient fluid, for example herbal tea.
• Should your child get a febrile convulsion, call the emergency doctor.
• If your child has no fever, a medicinal bath could relieve the respiratory symptoms.
• Ensure that all of the symptoms have disappeared. Your child needs rest and should stay in bed for a few days.
• Don’t send your child to the day nursery or to school too early.