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One thing parents often notice when their child goes back to school is the seemingly inevitable rise of various colds, coughs and illnesses that come with it. Term time can be stressful enough, from getting uniforms and books sorted to organising school buses and transport. Add a sick child into the mix, and it’s a stressful time for parents. So, how can parents boost their child’s immune system as they head back to school? Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell says it’s easier than you think, plus she explains how to treat the common illnesses kids pick up in the classroom. Supplements “You’ll hear many people say supplements are a waste of time because you can get everything you need from your diet. But from my own experience as a parent, nutrition and diet blips over the summer holidays. We’re all eating on the go and there’s more treats being had than normal,” Sheena says. The first step is readjusting your child’s diet and sleep routine in the week or two before school starts, she says. “Try to get things back into a normal routine, both diet and sleep. That way it won’t be such a shock, come the first day. A rainbow diet is optimal, with lots of fruit and vegetables where possible.” However, Sheena says that parents also have to be realistic, as many children are fussy eaters for a variety of reasons. A workaround to this is giving your child a general multivitamin. “You don’t need to go wild spending money. The good multivitamins will have vitamin C and zinc in them, which are good for immune health. They’ll also have vitamin D, which helps bone strength and immune defence.” Vitamin D supplementation is especially important in Ireland from October to March, as we get very little sunlight during those months which means we can’t produce our own vitamin D, Sheena explains. Sheena says parents should read the label of the multivitamins carefully to ensure the amount of vitamins meet the recommended daily amounts. “Pharmaton and Vitabiotics, who make Wellkid, are well-established. Getting a multivitamin is cheaper than buying lots of different vitamins too.” The question of whether to supplement all year round will depend on the quality of your child’s diet, Sheena says. “ Safefood.net has really good resources for planning healthy family meals and snacks. If you know you’re smashing the diet, they won’t need a multivitamin all year round. But, they can be beneficial when a child is recovering from an illness. I recommend a month’s course to get their levels back up.” However, Sheena says she doesn’t know many parents who can say their child’s diet is optimal, so multivitamins can help here. “You could give them multivitamins every second day if you’re finding it expensive. It’s better than nothing.” Sleep is another crucial element, Sheena explains. “Remove devices before bed as getting a good night’s sleep will help boost the immune system.” Common illnesses Coughs, colds and viruses are a very common ailment that children will pick up in the classroom. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has become more widespread in recent years, and it can make children very ill, Sheena says. “For families with young babies at home, it can be scary. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation in children. In 2024, there was an immunisation programme for all babies born between September and February last year. “The vaccine provides ready-made antibodies that will help children fight the infection. I hope that it will be offered to all babies ahead of their first winter season this year. “90% of children will catch RSV by the time they’re two. Older kids can get it for a second and third time. It can be the cause of runny noses and coughs.” Sheena also encourages parents to get their child vaccinated against the flu. “A lot of schools are offering in-school vaccinations. It’s a simple nasal spray, which is safe and effective. It’s free for children up to 17 years.” When a child has a headache or fever, they can be treated with Calpol and Nurofen. If the illness goes on for longer than two days, or longer than 24 hours in a child younger than two, take them to the GP, Sheena advises. “With newborns, if they get a fever, ring the doctor straight away.” For sore throats, honey and lemon can help, she adds. Keeping kids hydrated is key, and the old charm of flat 7up can help raise a child’s sugar levels and give them a bit of energy, Sheena says. It’s also helpful when a child has a tummy bug as it will replace lost fluids from vomiting and diarrhoea. “Ice pops and fruit purees can be good if a child isn’t sipping water or taking rehydration sachets. They should rest and stay off school until they feel better. “If you’ve any doubt, contact a doctor. If your child gets lethargic, confused or non-responsive, get medical help.” Follow Sheena on IG: @wondercare_irl This article first appeared in the September issue of RSVP
