So I recommend that you only give your child a course of antibiotics if they are really necessary (that is, not for a cold). Better still would be to boost their immune system by giving them a nutrient-rich diet. So feed your child antioxidant-rich foods such as sweet potatoes and carrots (vitamin A), berries, kiwi fruits and green leafy vegetables (vitamin C), avoca-dos (vitamin E), fish (zine) and broccoli (selenium).

Ensuring your child eats a varied diet will also ensure he or she is getting a wide range of nutrients -not just vitamins and minerals, but also powerful immune- boosting phytochemicals such as flavonoids found in berries and lycopene in tomatoes. Giving your child plenty of water will help to flush out any toxins and prevent them becoming dehydrated, which can prevent their body functioning effectively. Limit refined carbohydrates and sugar - research shows that sugar suppresses our immune systems. One study published in the American Joumal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants experienced a 50 per cent reduction in the activity of white blood cells (vital soldiers in the immune army) for two hours after ingesting a sugar solution.

Giving beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bißdobacteria bißdum helps the body fight off bugs, especially stomach bugs. There are plenty of probiotic supplements in powder form, which you can mix with water or juice and which are specifically designed for children.