11/24/2025
🤒 My Child is Always Sick! 🤒
Parents of daycare and elementary school aged children may feel that their child is always sick or can't get over their latest illness. We share your frustrations!
Did you know that many children under the age of six can have about 8-10 cold viruses per year and that children in daycares and other group settings can have even more than that?! Many parents question their child's immune system, which can be underdeveloped as they are exposed to more and more contagious organisms. We can reassure you, your child's immune system is doing exactly what it is meant to do!
📍How does my child get sick?
Great question! Your child has come into contact with one or more of the viruses (and sometimes bacteria) that causes cold symptoms from someone who is currently experiencing cold symptoms. This can occur through the air if the affected person sneezes or coughs and releases small amounts of the virus into the air, which your child breathes in and the virus attaches itself to the membrane inside your child's nose. Your child can also touch an infected object such as a toy, shopping cart, etc. then touch their own eyes, nose, and mouth. Cold viruses are not always spread person to person, it can also be object to person!
📍How do I keep my child from getting sick?
Unfortunately you cannot completely prevent your child from getting sick, however, you can implement some preventative measures such as:
🦠 Keeping your child away from a person with a cold.
🦠 Encourage frequent handwashing, keeping their hands out of their eyes, nose, and mouth.
🦠 Make sure toys and other items are properly cleaned, especially if multiple children are playing together.
📍What cold virus does my child have?
There are over 200 different types of viruses that can cause a cold. Some children may have more than one virus at a time.
📍Why won't you give my child an antibiotic for their cold?
Colds are caused by viruses and the cellular structure of a virus vs. a bacteria are different. An antibiotic is meant to kill and inhibit the growth of bacteria, a virus will not respond to an antibiotic. In many cases, supportive care at home for the cold symptoms will suffice and the body's immune system will take care of everything for you. However, if we suspect a secondary bacterial infection, then a course of antibiotics may be considered for the treatment of your child's symptoms.
Contact our office for any concerns regarding your child's illness!
