Colds costing Irish parents €250 a year in GP visits

IRISH parents spend over €250 a year in GP visits for their children due to the flu and common cold, research has revealed.

More than half of the kids here are hit by the bugs every year, according to the findings by Scope Healthcare.

The survey revealed 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 one in three children miss on average three days of school a year as a result of a cold or flu.

Survey spokeswoman Sarah Ussher 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.”

VITAMINS

The healthcare supplier surveyed more than 400 parents and found that one in three children aged five to 12 end up missing three days of school due to the flu and common cold.

Despite this only three in 10 children took multivitamins daily.

Ms Ussher said taking supplements on a daily basis can “help to reduce the symptoms of a cold or flu and will help overall general health and energy levels”.

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

It’s claimed multivitamins provide essential minerals that help to improve the general health of children.