It's only been a couple of weeks since the start of the new school term and normal everyday life has resumed.

But as the colder months settle in and kids are back in the classroom and playground, often this comes hand-in-hand with them picking up some sort of illness.

They could catch a cold, get a tummy bug or even the dreaded head lice among a number of other infections.

The Mirror has provided a list of seven of the most common lurgies along with some advice and treatments you could try.

Coughs and colds

Among the most common form of sickness kids come home with is coughs and colds, especially as the weather gets cooler.

Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat and cough.

“GPs see a huge surge of kids getting colds in the second week of September after a lull during the summer holidays,” says Dr Matthew Piccaver, a GP based in Suffolk.

“They usually have a runny nose, sore throat and cough.”

TREATMENT : Depending how they feel it can mean a few days off school. But it’s treated with simple care – fluids, pain relief if necessary and time.

The best prevention is good personal hygiene. Regular hand-washing may reduce chances of getting ill or passing on the infection.

YOU COULD TRY : For aches and pains, try Ibuprofen Oral Suspension 100mg/5ml, £2.79, Boots.

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Primary school pupil

Impetigo

“Impetigo is an infection caused by a bacterium, which infects healthy skin”, says Ravi Mohan, a Sheffield-based community pharmacist.

“Symptoms are a rash on the skin, typically the face. They often look like moist, golden crusts stuck on to the skin.

"An area of redness may develop under each patch. Sometimes affected skin is just red and inflamed – especially if the ‘crust’ is picked off.

“Children can sometimes get secondary impetigo when the skin is already broken if the child has something like eczema.

“It’s infectious and typically affects nursery and primary schoolchildren. They should be kept away until there’s no more blistering or crusting.

"Typically, treatment is given for seven to 10 days. Don’t share towels or bath water with someone who’s got it until the infection has gone and try not to touch the affected area.”

TREATMENT : GPs often prescribe a fusidic acid cream. If it’s badly infected or your child has a fever or swollen lymph glands they might prescribe an oral antibiotic.

YOU COULD TRY : Crystacide – a hydrogen-peroxide cream, which disinfects and cleanses the skin. It’s available on prescription.

Slapped cheek syndrome

“The most obvious symptom is a very distinctive red rash on the cheeks, which gives the condition its name,” says Dr Piccaver.

“A child with it might feel grotty, have a runny nose, fever and perhaps a headache too.

“It’s an easily spreadable viral infection caused by the parvovirus, spread in the air. Children are most contagious before the signs appear.”

TREATMENT : There’s no specific treatment apart from regular fluids and pain relief for headaches.

It’s usually quite mild and will pass in a few days so it’s not something to keep them off school for.

But they should avoid contact with pregnant women, people with poor immune systems and certain blood disorders.

YOU COULD TRY : TLC until it passes.

Back-to-school bugs

Head lice

“The most obvious sign is an itchy scalp. You need to inspect the hair closely,” says Jamie Wilkinson, a Hove-based pharmacist.

“The tiny eggs and lice are easy to spot. They will live in clean or dirty hair and are easily passed on when children are in close contact at school.”

TREATMENT : Various ways but some parents prefer more cyclical-style treatments rather than using strong chemicals to kill them.

You also need a special toothcomb to get them out of the hair. If you miss any they breed again.

Apply the lotion again seven days later, the rough life cycle of an egg. Kids can go to school with nits.

YOU COULD TRY : Hedrin Treat & Go Mousse, 100ml, £12.49, Boots.

Thread worms

“Tell-tale signs are a very itchy bottom area,” says Dr Piccaver.

“Threadworms are tiny parasitic worms in the bowel and at night they migrate to this area, lay their eggs and cause irritation.

"The signs may be seen in underwear or pyjamas and sometimes by an inspection of the bottom.

"It’s passed from scratching then touching their mouth or biting nails. Good hygiene can prevent it.”

TREATMENT : It’s easy to get rid of. One dose of a drug like mebendazole or maybe a second dose a couple of weeks later.

Boil-wash bedding and towels to stop it spreading. It’s not nice but not one that requires any time off school.

YOU COULD TRY : Threadworm Tablets, £6.90, Boots.

The new term brings about kids with infections and illnesses

Molluscum contagiosum

“These are small lumps on the skin, which are almost wart like,” says Ravi Mohan. “They are round and firm and generally affect children of nursery age upwards. They are contagious but you don’t need to keep children off school.”

TREATMENT : They don’t tend to need any treatment unless they get infected, in which case they can be given an antibiotic. The lumps tend to last about 12 to 18 months. They’re unsightly but don’t do any harm.

YOU COULD TRY: An oral ­antihistamine called chlorphenamine if the lumps itch, though it can cause drowsiness. The most common brand is Piriton, £3.29 for 30 tablets, Lloyds Pharmacy.

Tummy bugs

Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. “It can last 24 hours or longer and in rare cases can lead to a child being hospitalised,” says Dr Piccaver.

“The most common form in young children is rotavirus and for older ones norovirus, more commonly known as winter vomiting disease and can last several days.

“The spread is very swift in a class and can go round like wildfire. Children will need time off but can go back 48 hours after symptoms settle.”

TREATMENT : Again good hand-washing and personal hygiene is key. If the child has severe vomiting and diarrhoea, they’ll need to replace lost fluids.

It’s important to have lots of drinks, even if it’s tiny sips, as well as oral rehydration salts.

YOU COULD TRY : Dioralyte Relief Sachets (various flavours), £3.79 for six sachets, Boots.

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