Super Bodies!

Posted on November 11th, 2026

Super Bodies – what to do when your child has a common illness

Illnesses like coughs, sore throats and earache are extremely common in young children, but did you know our children’s ‘super bodies’ are designed to fight off many common illnesses, without the need for antibiotics?

NHS Birmingham and Solihull is sharing guidance for parents and carers on common winter illnesses like coughs, sore throats and earache. These common ailments and can be unpleasant for children and their caregivers, but are most often caused by viral infections and do not need to be treated with antibiotics, which rarely speed up recovery for these conditions.

Instead, our children’s ‘super bodies’ get to work, and most children with a normal immune system and up to date immunisations will recover in the same amount of time with or without antibiotics.

The ‘Super Bodies’ campaign shares a guide for parents and carers on the simple things they can do to treat these common ailments at home, as well as helping them to spot the signs of a more serious illness, and knowing when and where to go for medical help when it is needed. Visit the Super Bodies page on the NHS Birmingham and Solihull website to find out more.