Judith wants to know: "With so much flu going round at this time of year, how can I prevent my kids getting it? Paracetamol is in many flu remedies, but how does it work? And what effects does it have on children?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: Flu is caused by the influenza virus. As such there is no specific treatment. However, paracetamol lowers the raised temperature takes away aches and pains and makes the child feel better.

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler

Dawn: If you want to try and avoid your child getting flu it's great if they have a good balance diet, fruit and vegetables and plenty of fluids.

Danny wants to know: "What is the difference between paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, they are all painkillers aren't they?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: Aspirin is not recommended for use in children under 16 years old. Paracetamol is recommended as first line of treatment because of its good safety and benefit profile. Ibuprofen is also useful for aches and pains but does have some side effects and is not recommended in patients with asthma...

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

... Dawn: Paracetamol can be given to children as young as two months in half a dose. Whereas Ibuprofen cannot be given till after six months of age.

Jeannie wants to know: "How do you know when to give a child medicine and when not to? My twins are forever getting bugs and temperatures but I'm never sure when to reach for the medicine bottle and when not to."

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: This is always a problem for mothers. However, with the excellent safety profile of paracetamol when you use it and you see there is a good response be confident it can be used repeatedly if needed. You know as much if not more about your child than doctors and other health professionals do...

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

...Dawn: If your twins do not recover after paracetamol has been given then you may have to visit your GP.

Danny's mum wants to know: “I’ve had my little lad (aged 1) late in life and don't have my parents or the usual network of mums around me to help advise me. What are the golden rules when it comes to using medicine to treat fevers and colds?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: Ensure that there aren't any symptoms such as vomiting or an accompanying rash. Also, that your child doesn't appear drowsy or very unwell. Hopefully you will then have the confidence and you will see a good response after using paracetamol.

Bobby wants to know: "Can you give a baby under six months paracetamol?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: Paracetamol is particularly good to relieve post immunisation fever and pain from two months old but this needs to be given as a half dose.

Sandra wants to know: "Some medicines seem really sugary - will this damage my child's teeth?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: Some paracetamol formulations are sugar free. Always try and purchase or have your doctor prescribe these sugar free versions.

Leila wants to know: "Calpol's great it just knocks my kids out when they are poorly but I do worry when it literally knocks them out - should I worry?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: The simple answer is no! Usually children with aches and pains are prevented from their natural sleep because of their symptoms. Calpol will reduce or remove those symptoms which is why children may well then fall asleep.

Terri wants to know: "I worry that most mums reach for the Calpol as an instant remedy for everything. Won't most things cure themselves with rest and a bit of TLC?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: I completely agree! If TLC and rest work nothing else is needed. If they don't try paracetamol.

Katrina wants to know: "Can children take paracetamol and ibuprofen together?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: The answer is yes. In hospitals we sometimes alternate the treatments. It is not a good idea to give both at the same time. Healthcare professional advice should be sought.

NormaJ wants to know: "My little girl, Lily, aged 2, gets regular fevers. Not dangerously high but at least a couple per month, should I be concerned?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: If your daughter is having fevers twice each month you need to get her checked out with your doctor. She may be fine, she may just have lots of minor infections, but I would suggest you check.

SuzanneT wants to know: "What self-help diagnostic devices are there if in doubt? I've got the childcare books but they all seem to say - see your doctor!"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: If you have concerns you can call NHS Direct who are very helpful on 0845 46 47. Alternatively check out the website www.health4children.co.uk Also a good place to seek face-to-face advice is with your pharmacist at your local chemist or speak to your health visitor.

Mrs. S wants to know: "When I walk into Boots I get scared by the sheer choice of children's medicines on offer and they all seem to be offering the same drug but with a different package and a different name. How do you know the best one to choose?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: Why not speak to the pharmacist who will be delighted to advise. I agree there is a huge choice. You will find that many are paracetamol-containing medicines and these are the ones we recommend as first line treatment. Do ask the pharmacist about taste as children prefer medicines that taste pleasant.

Sandy wants to know: "Can children become too reliant on medicines or build up an immune system?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: They can certainly build immunity to viruses. However, giving medicine such as paracetamol will not affect this and again if your child is unwell and paracetamol works then don't worry your child will not become reliant.

Kate wants to know: "Do you agree with natural remedies like honey and lemon drink or Echinacea for children?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: Absolutely! These can very much complement medicine such as paracetamol.

Cordelia wants to know: "I must admit I use Calpol to help me get my 18-month-old off to sleep when he is feeling fitful and can't sleep. He's not exactly ill but can't sleep is there anything else I can give him?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: Paracetamol medicines will remove symptoms associated with aches, pains and minor temperatures. There are other reasons why children can't sleep. You may need to talk to healthcare professionals about this.

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

...Dawn: Your health visitor for example will be able to give you advice on establishing good sleeping habits.

Brian wants to know: "Should you give babies paracetamol for teething?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: Some people say that teething only produces the teeth. However, I believe that sometimes the teething process can be unpleasant and occasionally painful. In these situations I suspect you will find that paracetamol will be helpful.

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

... Dawn: It might also be useful to try the gels and treatments that are available to put directly on the gums. You can speak to your pharmacist or health visitor for specific advice on this.

Inese wants to know: "I think my daughter might be allergic to paracetamol - is there a test my Dr can do to confirm this?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: People react adversely to some medicines for many reasons. It is unusual to be truly allergic to paracetamol. It depends what symptoms your child develops. You should talk this through with your doctor. I do not think there is a simple allergy test for paracetamol.

Helena wants to know: "My 8 year old son suffers from bad headaches. These have only started in the last couple of weeks, and I am concerned they may be migraines. However, my mother told me that children cannot get migraines. Is this true?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: This is not true. Migraine and other causes of headaches are common in children. Simple headaches usually respond to medicines like paracetamol. If you have tried this and it hasn't worked, you need to see your doctor.

x wants to know: "I'm a health visitor and we get conflicting advice on how much information to give to parents on administering medicines and we have lately been told to be careful in giving any in case we leave ourselves open to legal action. What can we do?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: As a health visitor myself, I think it is very important that we are always honest with parents and give advice to the best of our knowledge. Although we cannot recommend brands we can always explain different generic medicines, doses and potential side effects. If you would like more information there is a new guide just launched "Guide to Children's Pain and Fever for Health Professionals" which can be obtained free from 01737 33 11 71.

KBP wants to know: "The current attempts to develop new medicines for use in the pediatric population is overcoming the previous concerns expressed by many about the ethics, and the practical difficulties of, conducting trials in children. Of course with most medicines being tested predominantly on adults it seems only appropriate that child specific medicines be developed and that they be tested on children. This, at least, is the opinion of the department of health. As a paediatrician I would appreciate your opinion on this development please? "

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: I was a member of the Medicines for Children Editorial Board within the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. As you know that was the reason why Medicines for Children was produced. There are in fact very few medicines that are specifically applicable to children but the new European recommendations for the development of medicines insists that all which are to be used in children need to be fully tested. Medicines like paracetamol have been available for forty years and it is unlikely that specific studies will now be undertaken with such medicines. I entirely agree with your sentiments.

Tiny wants to know: "At what age should children start taking adult medicines?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: Medicines are normally available particularly paracetamol for differing age ranges such as infants, six plus etc etc. However, once a child has reached sixteen and has a normal weight and stature adult formulations should be okay to be given.

Siobhan A wants to know: "As a parent I find it hard to strike the right balance between anxiety and rationality. I often want to take my child to the doctors for any ill health, but don't want to be a time waster. Is there a fact sheet I could get which would help me differentiate between the serious and the mundane?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: You might find the new website www.health4children.co.uk helpful. I am sure you are not on your own. Many people feel like you do. I hope the website will give you the confidence because I do believe that you know more about your child than I, any other doctor or healthcare professionals will. Good Luck!

Nicky wants to know: "Hiya, my son is 9 months old but I can't get him to swallow medicine when he is poorly. When I eventually get it in his mouth he spits it out. Are there any techniques that you can suggest or maybe something that I could give him in his bottle or food that he wouldn't notice? Thanks!"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: It's easier to give medicine via a syringe than a spoon. Try to hold your baby firmly and squirt very small amounts into the mouth at a time. If you need to give drinks or a bottle in between then do so. It's not recommended to put medicines in a bottle as if a baby doesn't finish a bottle you never know how much they have taken. Your health visitor will be able to show you the techniques.

Marrianne wants to know: "I worry about giving my child medicine that tastes good to them. I remember liking the taste of sweet liquid medicines as a child and worry it encourages them to ask for it when they aren't really ill.

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: In Victorian times people used to think that if it tasted bad, it did you good! Nowadays we recognise that nasty tasting medicines are poorly tolerated by children. There is always a risk that some children will "cry wolf" but overall nice tasting medicines are much more sensible than those children won't tolerate. I am not concerned about the repeated use of safe medicines such as paracetamol.

Fionn wants to know: "Is there any truth in the statement that paracetamol taken in late pregnancy could increase the chance of wheezing in babies? "

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: There is some epidemiological work suggesting a possible small increase in asthma in the children of mothers who have taken paracetamol in pregnancy. However, these studies have not been proven. Like many research studies they are addressing lots of different issues, it should be pointed out that all medicines in pregnancy could have some effect and the simple answer is to avoid all medicines where possible when women are pregnant. As a doctor interested in asthma, I would still recommend the use of paracetamol if the symptoms are indicated whether you are pregnant or not.

James wants to know: "I'm a new Dad and have never been around young children before. My beautiful daughter is now seven months old and has got a terrible cold. She's very bunged up at night and finds it hard to sleep so she's getting over-tired and keeping us up all night. Is there anything I can give her to help her breath and sleep through the night? I'm a bit nervous of giving her medicine, as I don't often get ill myself and tent to rely on rest to get better. Can you suggest anything? Thanks from a worried Dad!"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dawn: Please be reassured that many young children, especially at this time of the year get dreadful colds and find it very difficult to sleep. Although you may not take medicines, it may be advisable to give your daughter paracetamol before going to bed. This will help overcome any discomfort she may feel or fever she has...

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

...You may wish to speak to your health visitor of pharmacist for any further advice. There is also a leaflet available specifically for fathers answering general queries you may have 01737 33 11 71 or go to www.health4children.co.uk

Karla wants to know: "I'm pregnant and obviously worried that I can't take conventional medicines at the moment - can I take Calpol because it's not as strong?"

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Dr Lenney: The golden rule if you are pregnant is try to avoid all medicines. However, paracetamol is not contra-indicated in pregnancy. If you have any doubts please speak to your doctor. Calpol has not been developed for adults or for use in pregnancy.

Dr Warren Lenney and Dawn Chandler said:

Thank you for all your interesting questions. We hope we have helped! If you require further information visit www.health4children.co.uk or for free information leaflets about caring for your child with confidence please call 01737 331 171.