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Young kids, especially once they start daycare or preschool, tend to catch a lot of illnesses — often more than parents expect. Most of these are common, run their course, and aren't cause for alarm, but knowing the general pattern of a few frequent ones can help you feel less caught off guard.
Common cold
Runny or stuffy nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever are typical, usually resolving within a week to ten days. Young children can catch six to eight colds a year, particularly in their first couple of years in group childcare, as their immune systems build up exposure.
Ear infections
Ear pain, tugging at the ear, trouble sleeping, and sometimes fever can signal an ear infection, which is especially common after a cold since fluid can build up behind the eardrum. Many ear infections resolve on their own, but a pediatrician visit is the way to know whether treatment is needed.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Despite the alarming name, this is a common, usually mild viral illness in young children, causing small blisters or sores on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth, along with fever. It's quite contagious, so keeping a child home from daycare while symptomatic is standard practice.
Croup
A distinctive barking cough, sometimes with a harsh, high-pitched sound when breathing in (stridor), is the classic sign of croup, caused by swelling around the vocal cords from a viral infection. Cool or humid air often helps, but breathing difficulty is a reason to seek care right away.
Stomach bugs (viral gastroenteritis)
Vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with a mild fever, usually point to a stomach virus that runs its course in a few days. The main thing to watch for is dehydration — fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, or unusual sleepiness are signs to check in with a doctor.
When to call the pediatrician
- Fever in an infant under 3 months old (call right away).
- High fever that doesn't respond to medication, or lasts more than a couple of days.
- Difficulty breathing or unusual breathing sounds.
- Signs of dehydration: no wet diapers in 6+ hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying.
- Unusual lethargy, or a child who's hard to wake up or console.
- Any symptom that just doesn't feel right to you as a parent.
