"There's a lot of it about "

...common health problems we are seeing a lot of in the surgery.

Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. 

Luckily this viral infection is not the same virus as is seen in cattle ! There has been quite a lot of this about and whilst uncomfortable for the child [its usually children who get it] it's not serious.

For an indepth article go to

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease

Lots of calpol and ibuprofen will keep any temperature at bay and will help the discomfort. As the mouth is often sore try and keep fluids up. Most children are not unwell with it and if they won't drink try ice cream.

Few childen mind being ill if ice cream is involved in the "cure".

"Flu"

There is no "true" flu about at the moment and its not too late to have the vaccine if you are eligible. We are beginning to see the a lot of cough and cold virues about and the usual advice of paracetamol/ibuprofen, fluids etc applies. Don't bother with cough medicines they are enormously expensive and don't work. Honey and Lemon is as good as anything.

These things go on for weeks sometimes, not the usual one week as appears on many advice sites. If you are contininuing to get worse at this stage or if you got better at first and then have got bad again we need to see you.