1. Make sure the child drinks enough fluid. Often there is a loss of appetite.
2. Inhaling warm, moist air may relieve the cough. Warm drinks may also help.
3. Cough mixtures are of little help, but salbutamol syrup may relieve the cough.
4. Give paracetamol for the fever.
5. Oral antibiotics should only be given if the mucus becomes yellow-green.

It is important to observe for signs of pneumonia, especially in small children. A wheeze suggests asthma or bronchiolitis. Bouts of severe coughing with an inspiratory whoop, apnoea or vomiting suggest whooping cough.