How to prevent winter bugs in children: Immune-boosting tips

Frequent colds, coughs, and other winter infections are a natural stage in this process, even in healthy children. This year, England has seen an early flu season, affecting younger adults and children more than usual, making it even more important to learn about winter illnesses and take simple steps to support children’s health.

Common winter illnesses in children

While a child can catch a cold or another bug all year round, certain illnesses are much more common in the winter:

• Colds: As one of the most frequent winter infections, colds usually start with a runny or blocked nose, mild cough, sneezing, and sometimes a low-grade fever. Symptoms can linger for 7 to 10 days, and a cough may last a bit longer. Most colds are mild and can be managed at home with gentle care.
• Influenza (Flu): Flu is more severe than a common cold and often appears suddenly. Children may experience a high temperature, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, dry cough, loss of appetite, and occasionally vomiting or diarrhoea.
• RSV and Bronchiolitis: Children under the age of 5 years are most affected by RSV, with substantially high hospitalisation rates. The early symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold, but can develop into severe coughing and wheezing.
• Croup: This common, contagious infection mostly affects babies and young children. It makes the voice box and windpipe swell, which can cause a barking cough that sounds a bit like a seal, along with raspy breathing. Most cases are mild, but if your child struggles to breathe or becomes very unwell, it’s best to seek medical advice.
• Norovirus (“Winter Vomiting Bug”): Norovirus causes diarrhoea, vomiting, and belly pain. Symptoms, such as dehydration or dizzy spells, usually appear a day or two after contact. The virus spreads easily, even before symptoms appear, and can continue to be contagious for weeks.
• Scarlet Fever / Strep A: Scarlet fever usually starts after a sore throat or a skin infection caused by certain Streptococcus bacteria. Symptoms appear 2 to 5 days after infection and include a bright red, bumpy rash that feels a bit like sandpaper and can look like a bad sunburn. Children with this infection need to be treated with antibiotics.

What to do when children get sick

You know your child’s usual behaviour, energy, and appetite, so trusting your instinct and noticing changes early can help you respond quickly when your child falls ill.

Caring for your child at home

For milder illnesses, home care is usually enough. Encourage plenty of fluids, rest, and comfort measures like sitting in a steamy shower to ease congestion.

Many symptoms can seem worrying, but they are often part of the body fighting off a virus and will improve with a little extra care and support.

For contagious illnesses, follow recommended isolation periods. For example, children with tummy bugs should stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop to prevent spreading the infection. You can read our sickness and medication procedures here.

When to seek medical help and keep children home from nursery

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if your child has a persistent high fever, refuses to eat or drink, seems unusually tired or irritable, or has trouble breathing.

Call 999 or go to A&E if your child is struggling to breathe, becomes very unresponsive, or shows other severe symptoms. Check NHS guidelines to help decide whether your child is too sick for nursery. Staying home when needed protects your child and helps keep other children healthy.

Preventing winter bugs in children

While getting sick is a normal part of childhood, there are plenty of steps families can take to help boost their child’s immunity and reduce the risk of infections this winter.

Here’s what you can do to help prevent your children from falling ill in the colder months:

• Encourage regular handwashing: Teach and remind your children how to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before meals, after using the toilet, and after coughing or sneezing.
• Use tissues: Encourage children to cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough, and demonstrate how to use tissues to gently wipe their nose and throw them away straight after use. Follow the “Catch It, Bin It, Kill It” routine to make it easier for children to remember what to do.
• Clean surfaces and toys: Regularly wipe down frequently touched surfaces and shared toys to reduce the number of germs children come into contact with.
• Keep rooms ventilated: Open windows where possible, and even for just a few minutes, to let in fresh air and reduce the concentration of viruses indoors.
• Dress in layers: Layering clothes helps children regulate their body temperature and stay comfortable when moving between indoors and outdoors.
• Stay updated with vaccinations: Vaccinations help protect your child and reduce the spread of illness to others. Flu vaccines are underused, with only 16-17% of two- and three-year-olds receiving them. Check NHS vaccination guidelines to see which vaccines your child can get and at what age, so you can keep their schedule up to date.
• Serve immune-supportive foods: Offer a variety of foods that support the immune system, such as citrus fruits for vitamin C, nuts and seeds for vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, green vegetables for antioxidants, and mushrooms for vitamin D. If your child is a fussy eater, try adding these ingredients in smoothies, soups, or small snacks to make them easier to enjoy.

Building a “winter health kit”

Keeping a simple kit at home can make looking after a sick child much easier and less stressful.

It lets you respond quickly to symptoms, keep an eye on how they’re doing, provide comfort, and help stop germs from spreading around the family.

Consider keeping these useful items on hand:

• Digital thermometer: Quick readings to keep track of fevers.
• Saline spray: Easily clears noses.
• Age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen: Helps bring down fever and ease aches.
• Rehydration solutions: Prevents dehydration if your child is vomiting or has diarrhoea.
• Humidifier or steaming method: Adds moisture to the air, helping with coughs and blocked noses.
• Tissues and hand sanitiser: Keeps germs under control and hands clean.

You might also include a small notebook to record temperatures or symptoms if you need to share details with your GP.

Supporting your children’s health this winter

Frequent colds, coughs, and sniffles during winter can be tiring for parents, but they are a regular part of growing up, helping children build stronger immune systems over time.

Even when you do everything right, such as encouraging good hygiene, offering nutritious foods, and keeping up with vaccinations, children can still catch winter bugs.

Fortunately, simple steps at home, such as regular handwashing, balanced meals, and plenty of rest, can help make illnesses shorter and easier to manage.

When your child is at nursery, the setting’s hygiene and wellbeing practices also play a part in how likely they are to fall ill. Nurseries that prioritise handwashing, fresh air, and clean spaces help reduce the spread of winter bugs and support every child’s health. At N, we support healthy routines and well-being throughout the colder months, giving your child the best chance for a happy, resilient winter and a strong start to the year ahead.

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