Minor Illness Management

July 06, 2025

Minor illnesses like the common cold, flu, and stomach bugs are part of life. While they can leave you or your child feeling unwell, most of these conditions can be safely managed at home with the right care. Knowing what to expect and how to respond helps you recover more comfortably and avoid unnecessary clinic visits. In this article, we’ll guide you through simple, effective ways to manage symptoms, when to seek medical advice, and how to support your family’s recovery with confidence.

Influenza

If you or your child have upper respiratory tract symptoms, no worries you can manage this at home. Most adults will get these symptoms 2-3 a year, and children might get it up to 10 times per year. It is harmless although it may not feel this way.

First you need to know how to differentiate between them:

Usually, cold symptoms are

Runny nose
sore throat
Cough
No fever or low fever
Mild fatigue

Influenza (flu) symptoms are

Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough
Fever
Moderate to severe fatigue
Aches in muscles & joints

You should know that

These symptoms can usually last up to 10 days and cough might last up to 3 weeks, 90% of sore throat gets better in 7 days without treatment. Symptoms are worst in first 2-3 days, but you might feel tired for a weeklong.

The use of hand sanitizer or hand washing is the most effective way to prevent spread of infections. Colored nasal discharge can’t benefit from antibiotics. Management is directed towards symptom relief and not treating bacterial infections.

Most cases caused by viral infections which usually doesn’t respond to antibiotics and taking antibiotics in viral illness can be harmful as it might cause stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, allergic reaction, heart problems and increased resistance to antibiotics which means if you need it in the future, it may not work.

How to Self-manage at Home

Rest and drink plenty of fluids as water, tea and juices to replace fluid loss.
For sore throat you should gargle with warm water & salt several times per day or drinking warm lemon mixed with honey.
For pain control you can use over the counter Paracetamol or Ibuprofen unless you are allergic to it. (When you give it to your child you read the dosing on leaflet).
Honey either alone or with tea can help controlling your symptoms and fasten recovery period (DONT give honey to a child less than one year old).
Saline nasal drops over the counter they are safe and effective and can use it on your children.
The uses of oral sprays and prolonged use of over-the-counter nasal decongestant is usually not advisable as it might cause many harmful side effects.
Cough syrups usually have mild effect and not recommended to give it to your child specifically who are younger than 14 years old.

When to see a doctor

*If you or your chills symptoms lasted more than 7 days or cough lasts more than 3 weeks or temperature was above 38.4C.

If new symptoms arise or have new concerns as chest pain, shortness of breath, facial or headaches*

*If you or your child has side effects from medications. You should inform your physician immediately.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis called for infections affecting your digestive tract, usually caused by viruses but can involve bacteria & parasites. Symptoms can last up to 5 days and usually resolves by itself, but we can help you manage these troublesome symptoms at home

Usually symptoms involve abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with or without fever and fatigue.

Treatment options

Drinking plenty of fluid as water and apple juice generally and over the counter oral rehydration solution for children, this can reduce dehydration specially in children and decrease the need for intravenous intervention.

Pain and fever control with over-the-counter paracetamol unless you are allergic to.

Diet control as avoiding spicy/ chilly food, caffeinate beverages, fatty food, milk-based products and try to eat banana, white rice, white pasta and toast.

Hand washing is important to avoid spreading infections

Over the counter anti-diarrhea and anti-nausea can help but you need to ask your physician first before taking them.

When to see a doctor

If you or your child symptoms lasted more than 5 days.
If you or your child can’t tolerate oral intake (solids or fluids).
If you or your child symptoms failed to be controlled with medications and has persistent fever.

If you or your child have severe abdominal pain, feeling drowsy, has petechial rash, rapid breathing you should seek immediate medical help.