How To Help Your Child Recover From An Illness

The only thing worse than getting ill yourself is watching someone you love get unwell, especially when it’s your child. You don’t just have to take care of their practical needs, but you also have to look after them emotionally. If you’re also unwell, this is even more difficult.

Thankfully, most illnesses come and go with no bother. Yes, it’s miserable while it lasts, but before long, you can carry on with your life as normal. But what if the illness lingers? How can you help your children to recover?

Seek Medical Help

If your child doesn’t recover as they should, then the first thing you should do is to take them to see a medical professional. True, they don’t need a doctor for every cold, but when you get worried, a doctor can find out if there is an underlying condition that’s making your child sick. Even if there’s nothing wrong, the peace of mind of knowing your child is okay can be priceless.

Sometimes, your child just needs some extra help to relieve their symptoms and help them to recover. The pharmacist can provide over-the-counter medications that you can administer yourself. If you’re not sure what to get, then simply ask the pharmacist. 

The doctor might refer you to another specialist, especially if the problem has persisted for a long time or has no obvious cause. While it’s scary to think about your children being unwell, it’s important not to panic. You want to advocate for the health of your child and follow the specialist’s advice to the letter.

The important thing is that you don’t ignore your instincts. You know your child best, and it’s your responsibility to make sure that they are healthy. If you think something is wrong, then seek the appropriate help. This is true for physical illnesses, but it’s no less true for mental and emotional issues as well.

Children go through stresses that we don’t fully understand as adults, and they aren’t always equipped to deal with them. They also aren’t immune to developing mental health problems. Keep an open line of communication with your child and, if it’s necessary, take them to see a therapist or counselor. 

Rest, Food, and Water

This seems like an obvious point, but it can’t be denied just how important it is for your child to get plenty of rest and to eat and drink properly while they’re unwell. As an adult, we sometimes have to carry on even if we don’t feel well, but this isn’t the best way to recover. If you want a quick recovery for you or your child, then it’s vital to cover these three points. 

First, resting. Fighting off an illness is exhausting for your body, and recovery requires energy as well. You feel tired when you’re sick because your body is trying to tell you to rest, as its energy reserves are focused on repairing damage and trying to get back to normal. 

There’s a reason why people eat chicken soup and broth when they’re feeling unwell, and it’s because it works. Your body needs all the nutrients it can get, and some foods are particularly high in the nutrients it needs to recover from a sickness. The right food will provide energy as well as protein and other building blocks for your body to repair itself. Not only this, but the warm food is soothing.

Another thing that you should keep an eye on is how much your child is drinking. Even mild dehydration can make someone feel worse, and plenty of illnesses can cause your body to lose more fluid than normal, including colds and sickness bugs. 

Water is always a great option for hydration, but sometimes it’s beneficial to drink a more fortified drink, especially if you’re dealing with a stomach bug. As well as losing fluid, your body will lose electrolytes that your body needs to stay balanced. Some beverages can add these back, such as non-caffeinated sports drinks or specially formulated drinks that are designed to quickly rehydrate someone. 

Home Remedies

As well as trying to keep your child healthy by giving them the right basic care, and taking them to see a medical professional when they need some extra treatment, you can treat some illnesses at home. 

Every family should have a first-aid kit on hand. A first-aid kit is useful for minor injuries, but as well as the normal supplies of band-aids, dressings, alcohol wipes, and bandages, you should keep a supply of over-the-counter medications that can relieve symptoms of minor illnesses.

Keep some painkillers somewhere that’s easy to access for adults, but if you have young children, they should be out of reach. Some painkillers, such as acetaminophen (otherwise known as Tylenol or paracetamol) can also relieve fever symptoms. 

If you have a supply of medication, make sure that you keep an eye on use-by dates and that you replenish what gets used up. If the medication is out of date, then it might not be as effective as it should be. If you do end up calling the doctor or other medical services, tell them whether you have already given your child medication and what they’ve had, so they can receive appropriate treatment.

Lingering Symptoms

Even after your child has recovered from the illness, they might experience lingering symptoms that are irritating. One common issue is post-nasal drip, which occurs during or after a cold or another illness that irritates your nasal cavity and causes mucus to accumulate in your throat, which is uncomfortable. This is why you might cough or clear your throat even after recovery. 

The good news is that there are ways of getting rid of mucus in the throat. If it’s caused by an allergic reaction, then antihistamines can help. Otherwise, you can use home remedies to get rid of a mild case of post-nasal drip.

It’s never nice when your child is sick, but you can help them on the road to recovery and they can get back to their old selves before you know it.