Common cold and flu in children costs parents more than €250 a year, new research reveals

It’s back-to-school season, and that means autumn weather is upon us. With over half of children suffering from a common cold or flu each year, it’s important that parents know what to do to avoid it.

New research released by Scope Healthcare, an Irish-owned healthcare supplier, which surveyed 428 Irish parents, reveals one in three parents bring their child to the doctor with symptoms of a cold or flu, costing them on average over €66 per visit or €252.56 per year.

The research also found that one in three children miss on average three days of school a year as a result of a cold or flu.

Despite 42% of children aged 5-12 missing up to three days of school as a result of a cold or flu, only 59% of children of the same age take a daily multivitamin. 

Taking a multivitamin on a daily basis can help reduce symptoms of a cold or flu because it contains vital vitamins and minerals that help to improve general health and give a child that extra boost they might need for the back-to-school period.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Pixie McKenna, said:  “As a doctor, I see a lot of children with common colds or flus and unfortunately they just have to just run their course. It’s important that a good level of general health is maintained to prevent common colds or flus in children.

Commenting on the findings, Sarah Ussher, Scope Healthcare said: “Getting kids ready to go back to school can be a stressful time, but it’s not half as stressful as when your kids are sick. That’s why it’s important to ensure they are getting the correct nutrients in their diet.

“By reducing symptoms of a cold and flu, fewer doctor visits will be needed, which in the long run could save parents up to €253 per year.”

* Research commissioned by Scope Healthcare and carried out by CORE Research among 428 parents in Ireland aged over 18.