How to Treat and Relieve Symptoms of Common Childhood Illnesses at Home
August 10, 2026 | Tags:
Your child has come down with an illness and recovery can take days as symptoms linger. As a parent, this adds more to your plate. The good news is that many common illnesses can be treated at home with supportive care and plenty of rest.
We discussed common illnesses your child can encounter during the school year in another blog. Let’s learn how you can best treat their symptoms to aid in a speedy recovery.
How to care for your child with the common cold or flu
The common cold and the flu, or influenza, are respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. This means antibiotics will not work. Help your child stay comfortable and prevent dehydration by doing the following:
- Encourage plenty of fluids, like water, clear soups or electrolyte drinks and foods, like popsicles. For infants, use breast milk or formula.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to help ease congestion and dry cough, cleaning often to prevent mineral buildup or mold and bacteria growth.
- Use saline nose drops or spray for a stuffy nose. For infants, gently suction nasal secretions with a bulb syringe.
- Honey can help soothe a cough in children 1 year or older. Do not give honey to infants under 1 year of age as it can contain bacteria that may cause infant botulism.
How to manage your child's fever and discomfort
A fever is a common symptom with many illnesses and is typically a sign that your immune system has been activated to fight an infection. A fever is generally defined as a temperature of 100.4 F (37 C) or higher when measured orally. Treat your child's fever symptoms and discomfort with the following tips:
- Dress them comfortably in lightweight clothing and use a lightweight blanket if they feel chilled.
- Offer plenty of fluids as fevers can lead to dehydration.
- Use fever-reducing medications1 like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following package directions and age recommendations.
Contact your child's healthcare provider if they have:
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or rapid breathing, including blue or gray lips, face or fingernails.
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears when crying, decreased urination).
- A high, persistent fever for their age.
- A seizure.
- Severe ear pain, persistent vomiting or worsening symptoms.
Seek emergency care immediately if your child becomes unresponsive, confused or difficult to wake.
1 Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
How to care for your child with a stomach bug
Gastrointestinal viruses, like norovirus and rotavirus, cause uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. While there is no cure, you can help your child through their recovery with the following:
- Offer small, frequent sips of fluids (one to two teaspoons) 15 to 30 minutes after vomiting. Increase gradually if tolerated.
- Use an oral hydration solution, like Pedialyte®, Enfalyte® or store-brand equivalent, as directed.
- Avoid sugary or sports drinks and fruit juices if they worsen diarrhea.
- For infants, continue breast milk or formula.
As symptoms improve, your child can resume eating as tolerated. Once vomiting improves, offer bland foods from the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast), crackers, plain pasta and potatoes. Avoid greasy, spicy or high-fat foods until symptoms improve.
How to care for your child with strep throat
Because strep throat is caused by bacteria, your child will need antibiotics for treatment. This illness commonly causes a sore throat or pain with swallowing. To help relieve symptoms, consider the following:
- Encourage plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and soothe the throat, including warm liquids like clear broth or caffeine-free tea, or cold items like popsicles, ice chips or chilled drinks.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air.
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce fever, following package directions and age recommendations.2
- Offer throat lozenges to older children who can safely ingest them without choking.
- Older children who can safely gargle can do so with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water) several times per day.
2 Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers.
How to care for your child with pink eye (conjunctivitis)
While not a serious condition, pink eye causes irritating symptoms that can be frustrating for kids to manage. If your child has pink eye:
- Encourage them not to rub their eyes.
- Gently clean eye drainage with a clean, warm and damp washcloth.
- Apply a warm compress to the closed eye for comfort.
- Remind them to wash their hands frequently, especially after touching their eyes.
- Use prescribed antibiotic eye drops or ointment exactly as directed. Artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) may also help if recommended by their healthcare provider.
- Reduce exposure to irritants such as smoke, dust and strong fragrances.
Children who wear contact lenses should stop wearing them until symptoms have completely resolved and a healthcare provider approves restarting use.
How to care for your child with a skin rash
Skin illnesses, like chickenpox, fifth disease and hand, foot and mouth disease, are highly contagious and often cause a rash that may be one of the first signs your child is sick. Because rashes can cause itching and discomfort, help relieve symptoms by:
- Keeping your child's skin clean and dry.
- Applying cool, wet compresses to itchy or irritated areas.
- Using fragrance-free moisturizers to help soothe dry or irritated skin.
- Giving lukewarm baths. Consider adding colloidal oatmeal bath products if recommended by their healthcare provider.
- Keeping your child's fingernails short to prevent scratching and skin damage.
Encourage your child to avoid scratching, which can open sores and lead to infection. Only use medications or creams as directed. To prevent infection and protect yourself, wash your hands frequently, keeping any open or scratched areas clean, and avoid sharing towels, clothing or personal items. You may need to contact your child's healthcare provider if:
- The rash does not improve or continues to spread.
- The rash is painful, swollen or warm to the touch.
- The rash is accompanied by blisters, drainage or signs of infection.
- Your child develops a fever.
- The cause of the rash is unclear or symptoms are worsening.
Seek immediate medical care if your child:
- Has difficulty breathing, wheezing or swelling of the face, lips or tongue.
- Develops a widespread rash with a high fever.
- Has a rash that looks purple, bruised or does not fade when pressed.
- Appears very ill, lethargic or difficult to wake.
- Has signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Conditions like measles can lead to life-threatening complications in young children. Besides a rash, it also causes flu-like symptoms. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about the MMR and MMRV vaccines to help prevent the spread of these diseases. If you suspect your child has measles, contact their pediatrician immediately.
Team up with your child's healthcare provider
Contact your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider if they have any concerning or lingering symptoms. Ask about vaccinations if you’re unsure of your or your child’s vaccination status, or whether you need a booster. Medical Mutual recognizes that healthcare decisions are important and personal. Talk to your PCP regarding vaccine recommendations and what’s right for you and your child.
Medical Mutual also offers our Nurse Line3, a free call-in service for 24/7 access to highly trained and experienced registered nurses who can help answer specific health-related questions or talk you through self-care for treating minor medical conditions at home. Call the Nurse Line toll-free at 1-888-912-0636 (TTY: 711 for hearing impaired).
Medical Mutual can help you find a PCP. Use our Find a Provider search tool or call the Customer Care phone number listed on your member ID card.
3 Refer to your health plan to see what is covered.