With the HSE preparing for a surge in cold and flus, a leading doctor has some top tips for managing symptoms at home.

Almost 2,000 cases of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu were recorded last week and health officials have asked parents to avoid bringing children to the emergency department unless absolutely necessary.

Trinity College professor and GP Brendan O'Shea told Newstalk Breakfast that parents should look out for a number of indicators if their child develops flu-like symptoms.

"If [your child] has a good response to Nurofen or paracetamol and they're able to keep up with their fluid intake - that's a good indication that they're not seriously unwell," Dr O'Shea said.

Dr O'Shea said it is normal for children with the flu to feel "intermittently flat" or to have a temperature.

"[Flus and viruses] can go on for 10 or 12 or 14 days and any time during that period one can spike a temperature," he said.

"Keep the Nurofen and the paracetamol going day-in-day-out and it's less likely that they'll get a sudden spike in temperature and generally things will get easier."

When to seek help

Dr O'Shea said if a child is unable to keep up with half of their usual fluid intake in a 24-hour period, they should see a GP.

"If there's something serious going on - and parents never miss this - trust the instinct and professionalise it," he said.

"Have a conversation with a pharmacist, with the practice nurse, with the GP if there's that serious feeling that this is not just a cold or flu."

In addition to having over-the-counter pain relievers at home, Dr O'Shea said parents of asthmatic children should ensure they have a good supply of inhalers.

"When households run out of inhalers, they can get caught and everything goes pear-shaped," he said.

You can get information on the flu from the HSE here.

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Feature image shows a mother reading her child's temperature, Alamy.