Common Childhood Infections

🤧Colds and RSV

Colds are viral, so antibiotics don't help. Runny nose and cough can last 1–2 weeks. The basics are fluids, rest and easing congestion (saline drops, comfortable humidity).

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is like a cold in older children but can cause bronchiolitis or pneumonia in babies under 1, especially those under 6 months or born early. It spreads mainly in autumn and winter.

✋Hand, foot and mouth disease

Caused by enteroviruses and common in summer and autumn. Fever comes with mouth sores and blisters or red spots on the hands, feet and buttocks. It usually clears in 7–10 days, but painful mouth sores make dehydration likely.

Offer cool, soft foods and non-irritating drinks little and often. Handwashing and hygiene after diaper changes reduce spread.

🤢Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea)

Rotavirus and norovirus are common causes. Fluids are the priority. After vomiting, wait a little, then give oral rehydration solution little and often with a spoon or small cup. Keep breastfeeding.

If there is only diarrhea and your child drinks well, regular meals can continue. Sports drinks and juice are high in sugar and can worsen diarrhea, so oral rehydration solution comes first. Don't use anti-diarrhea medicine without asking a doctor.

👂Ear infections

Often follow a cold. Children may tug at an ear, fuss at night or run a fever. Depending on age and symptoms, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics right away or watch for 2–3 days. If antibiotics are prescribed, finish the full course even if symptoms improve.

Not feeding a bottle lying down, avoiding secondhand smoke, and keeping pneumococcal and flu vaccines up to date lower the risk.

🦠Flu and pink eye

Flu (influenza) brings sudden high fever, muscle aches and marked fatigue. Children under 5, especially under 2, face higher complication risk, so see a doctor early. Antiviral medicine is prescribed at the doctor's discretion. A yearly vaccine is the best prevention.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) causes red eyes, discharge, itching or stinging. Viral pink eye spreads easily, so use separate towels and wash hands often. Thick yellow discharge may be bacterial and needs a doctor.

🏫Returning to daycare and stopping spread

• Consider returning once your child has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever medicine.
• Daycares have their own rules for hand, foot and mouth disease, flu, gastroenteritis and pink eye, and may ask for a doctor's note. Check in advance.
• Wash hands with soap under running water for 30 seconds and cough into a sleeve — the whole family.
• While someone is sick, wipe toys and doorknobs often and use separate towels and cups.
• Alcohol hand sanitizer works poorly against norovirus, so wash with soap, and wear gloves when cleaning up vomit.

💬FAQ