Help stop the spread of illnesses in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Help stop the spread of illnesses in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

With flu and covid19 illnesses affecting many people in the community and some hospital patients, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly is encouraging people to help stop the spread of illnesses and to take up seasonal vaccinations ahead of winter.

Top tips to stop the spread:

• If you are unwell, the best advice is to stay home, kept warm and please don’t visit people in hospital or care homes.
• You can treat most winter illnesses at home, so take it easy and look after yourself. Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated, lack of sleep and dehydration can slow your recovery.
• Please don’t go to a health setting such as the emergency department and our minor injury units if you suspect you have norovirus, COVID-19 or flu.
• If you are worried about how you are feeling, please use our NHS 111 online service first for advice.
• Wash your hands often throughout the day.  If you have small children, make sure they wash their hands especially important before eating, after using the loo, and after being in public places. You can also use hand sanitiser if you don’t have access to soap and water, but it won’t be effective against all illnesses such as Norovirus.     

Treating children’s winter bugs, illness or injuries

When the colder weather sees nasty bugs on the increase and leave children feeling unwell you may wonder what’s the best way to treat their symptoms.

Most of the time, childhood illnesses can be dealt with in the comfort of your own home. Colds and most coughs are caused by a virus. Most colds last for 5 to 7 days, but the cough can hang around for longer.

Irritating coughs sometimes take several weeks to fully resolve, but if the child is otherwise well and isn’t having problems with their breathing, they are not normally something to worry about.

Coughs that can come along with a cold, can cause sleepless nights for all. Looking after a sick child, even for a couple of days, can be exhausting. So, make sure to get rest and sleep when you can, and try to get somebody else to take over every now and then to give you a break.

Find helpful tips on what to eat and drink, getting plenty of rest and helping children sleep.

Is my child too ill for nursery or school?

It’s tricky deciding if your child should stay off school, nursery or playgroup when they’re unwell.

Find out the government guidelines for schools and nurseries. It’s packed with advice on when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn’t.

Seeking medical help for child illness and minor accidents

Your health visitor, nurse practitioner, GP and pharmacist can all give you advice on how to treat your child’s illness or minor injury.

The GP can treat your child and prescribe medicines. Some health visitors, nurses and pharmacists can also diagnose illness and provide medicines for your child.

If your child is ill, you can try your local pharmacy first. They’ll tell you if your child needs to see a GP or visit a minor injury unit. If your child has signs of serious illness, contact your GP surgery directly or take them straight to the emergency department of your local hospital. You can also ask NHS 111 for advice on where to go before you go to the emergency department.

Most GP surgeries are very supportive towards parents of small children. Some will fit babies into surgeries without an appointment or see them at the beginning of surgery hours. Many GPs will also give advice over the phone.

Spotting serious illness in children

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board has this advice: “It’s important you trust your instincts and get the help your child needs. Not getting the advice and treatment at the right time could put your child at risk of serious illness.

“If your child already has a health condition (such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy) look out for warning signs that their condition is less well controlled. Follow the advice given to you by the medical team that looks after your child.”

For more information on children’s illnesses, where to get help, and what you can do to help them at home view the NHS webpage on looking after a sick child.

If you are worried that their symptoms are getting worse call 111 for advice.

Where is best?

If you’re seeking medical advice or support at the weekends, don’t forget to think ‘Where is best?’.

Vaccinations and immunisation – NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly