ConditionChildren's health
Common Childhood Illnesses
Childhood illnesses are the infections and conditions that most children catch as their immune systems mature, such as colds, ear infections, stomach bugs, croup and viral rashes. Young children typically have 6 to 8 colds a year, more in daycare. Most illnesses are mild and get better on their own with rest, fluids and fever control. The key skill for parents is recognizing warning signs: trouble breathing, dehydration, unusual drowsiness, a rash that does not fade, or any fever in a baby under 3 months.
Also called: Common illnesses in children, pediatric illness, childhood infections, kids' illnesses
At a glance
- Most common
- Colds, ear infections, sore throats, stomach bugs, croup, bronchiolitis and viral rashes.
- How often
- 6 to 8 colds a year is normal in young children.
- Usual course
- Most viral illnesses improve within 3 to 10 days.
- Home care
- Fluids, rest, fever and pain relief at the correct dose, and watching for warning signs.
- Prevention
- Vaccines, handwashing, and keeping sick children home.
When to get help
Call 911 or go to the ER
- Struggling to breathe: ribs sucking in, grunting, nostrils flaring, or pauses in breathing
- Blue or gray lips, tongue or skin
- Very drowsy, floppy, hard to wake, or a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry
- A rash of purple or red spots that does not fade when pressed with a glass
- A seizure (fit), especially a first one or one lasting more than 5 minutes
- Any fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher in a baby under 3 months
See a doctor within a day or two
- Signs of dehydration: no wet diaper or urine for 8 hours or more, no tears, sunken eyes, very dry mouth
- Fever of 39 °C (102.2 °F) or higher in a baby aged 3 to 6 months
- Fever lasting 5 days or more
- Severe ear pain, stiff neck, or a child who will not use a limb
- Vomiting that is green, or vomiting with severe tummy pain
Book a routine appointment
- An earache, sore throat or cough that is not improving after a few days
- A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
- Frequent infections, poor growth or ongoing diarrhea
Usually safe to manage at home
- A cold with runny nose, mild cough and mild fever in a child who is drinking, playing at times and passing urine
- Mild diarrhea or vomiting in a child who is keeping some fluids down
Why children get sick so often
A child's immune system learns by meeting germs. Each new virus builds immunity, which is why young children, especially in daycare or preschool, catch so many infections. The number usually falls after age 5 or 6. Frequent mild infections in an otherwise healthy, growing child are normal.
Common childhood illnesses at a glance
| Illness | Typical age | Key symptoms | Usual course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common cold | Any | Runny nose, cough, mild fever | 7 to 10 days |
| Ear infection | 6 months to 3 years | Ear pain, fever, pulling at ear, poor sleep | Often improves in 2 to 3 days |
| Croup | 6 months to 3 years | Barking cough, hoarse voice, noisy breathing in | 3 to 5 days, worse at night |
| Bronchiolitis | Under 2 years | Runny nose, cough, wheeze, fast breathing, poor feeding | Peaks day 3 to 5, cough lasts weeks |
| Gastroenteritis | Any | Vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes fever | 1 to 7 days |
| Strep throat | 5 to 15 years | Sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, no cough | Needs antibiotics |
| Hand, foot and mouth disease | Under 5 | Mouth sores, spots on hands, feet and buttocks | 7 to 10 days |
| Roseola | 6 months to 2 years | 3 to 5 days of high fever, then a rash as fever ends | About a week |
| Fifth disease | School age | "Slapped cheek" rash, lacy rash on body | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Chickenpox | Unvaccinated children | Itchy blisters in crops, fever | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Conjunctivitis | Any | Red, sticky eyes | About a week |
Fever in children
Fever is the body's normal response to infection. In most children it is not dangerous by itself. What matters more is how the child looks and behaves.
- Normal temperature: about 36.5 to 37.5 °C (97.7 to 99.5 °F)
- Fever: 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher
Measuring: use a rectal thermometer under 3 months if possible; digital thermometers under the arm or in the ear are fine in older children.
Treating: acetaminophen (paracetamol) or, from 6 months, ibuprofen can make a child more comfortable. Use the dose for your child's weight on the label, and use the measuring device provided. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. You do not need to wake a sleeping child to give fever medicine.
Febrile seizures (fits with a fever) affect about 2 to 4 in 100 children between 6 months and 5 years. They are frightening but usually brief and harmless. A first seizure always needs medical review.
Home care for a sick child
- Fluids: offer small, frequent drinks. Breastfeeding or formula should continue. Oral rehydration solutions are best for vomiting and diarrhea.
- Food: appetite often drops; fluids matter more than food for a few days.
- Rest and comfort.
- Saline drops and gentle suction for a blocked nose in babies.
- Honey for cough in children over 1 year. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
- Cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 6 in the US.
- Antibiotics do not help viral illnesses such as colds, most sore throats, bronchiolitis or croup.
When to keep a child home
Keep children home from daycare or school while they have a fever, until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea, and as advised for specific illnesses such as chickenpox (until all blisters have crusted) or strep throat (at least 12 to 24 hours after starting antibiotics, depending on local guidance).
Prevention
- Vaccines protect against measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, chickenpox, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, flu, COVID-19, hepatitis, polio and more. Follow the recommended vaccination schedule. RSV protection is now available for infants through maternal vaccination in pregnancy or an antibody injection for the baby.
- Handwashing with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid smoke exposure, which increases ear and chest infections.
- Breastfeeding provides some protection in infancy.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common childhood illnesses?
Colds, ear infections, stomach bugs, croup, bronchiolitis, sore throats including strep throat, hand, foot and mouth disease, roseola, fifth disease and conjunctivitis. Most are caused by viruses and get better on their own.
When should I worry about my sick child?
Get emergency help for difficulty breathing, blue lips, a child who is floppy or hard to wake, a non-blanching rash, a seizure, or fever in a baby under 3 months. See a doctor promptly for signs of dehydration, fever lasting 5 days, or a child who seems to be getting worse.
How many illnesses a year is normal for a child?
Young children commonly have 6 to 8 colds a year, and children in daycare may have more, with some illnesses back to back in winter. This is normal if the child is growing well and recovers between illnesses.
Should I give my child medicine for a fever?
You do not have to treat a fever, but acetaminophen (paracetamol), or ibuprofen from 6 months, can help a child feel more comfortable. Use the correct weight-based dose from the label. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Common childhood illnesses
- CDC: Vaccine schedules for children
- NHS: Childhood illnesses
- NICE Guideline NG143: Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management
- MedlinePlus: Children's health