Toddlers have a well-earned reputation for collecting germs. That’s why many illnesses in toddlers are so common (as most parents have experienced). This is especially true if your child is in daycare or often around other children. So it’s not unusual if your toddler has picked up yet another cold from their childcare facility.
That can be especially frustrating for parents, but there are some benefits that come with this period of frequent illness. Each bacteria or virus your child picks up will be added to their body’s immune system library. (Of course, creating that immunity without exposure to illness is preferred. That’s why vaccines are such a powerful and effective tool.)
However, it’s important to note that a common illness does not necessarily translate into “harmless” illness. There are some illnesses that can have significant health implications, even if these more severe presentations are not experienced by most children. It’s often impossible to predict which children will have severe reactions to diseases such as RSV. This is yet another reason why it’s especially important to immunize your toddler when possible.
Why Do Toddlers Get Sick So Often?
Once they get out into the world, toddlers start encountering germs. While some of these germs are more common than others, one thing is for sure: toddlers get sick a lot. It’s one of the reasons that common illnesses in toddlers are so common.
There are several reasons why your toddler may end up experiencing illnesses so often:
Their immune system is still developing: This means that many illnesses may cause more severe symptoms in toddlers than they do in adults.
Their immune system is inexperienced: The human immune system can typically only create defenses against those diseases which it has already encountered. As your toddler contracts more bacteria and viruses, they will gain immunity against many of those diseases.
Some diseases mutate quickly: Your typical cold or flu virus tends to mutate often. This can make it possible to get a cold or the flu several times in the same season, especially if they are different variants.
The environment: Many daycare centers tend to be heavily populated with infants and toddlers in relatively small spaces. Kids share toys, surfaces, and tools. In other words, germs can spread quickly.
Lack of handwashing hygiene: Kids below a certain age are not capable of effective handwashing techniques. This can help germs spread very quickly in a short amount of time.
Understanding how and why germs spread so quickly can help daycare facilities and parents alike better prevent illnesses.
Some Common Illnesses in Toddlers
Children are capable of contracting any contagious disease that adults are (and vice versa). However, there are some illnesses which are more common in childhood–especially during those toddler years. Some of the most common include the following.
Influenza
Among the most common illnesses in both adults and children, influenza (or the “flu”) presents quite often in toddlers. This illness can result in fever, aches, sore throat, and more symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, in most cases, the flu does not result in vomiting (the most common culprit of vomiting is a disease called norovirus). Flu is usually treated in children with rest, but in severe cases medication may be required.
While for most children, influenza is a routine illness, it can sometimes escalate to a more serious stage. That’s one reason (among many) that most pediatricians recommend children receive annual flu shots in order to diminish their risk of contracting the flu, presenting severe symptoms, and spreading the disease.
The Common Cold
It’s right there in the name. It’s common.
A cold is usually caused by a specific type of virus called a rhinovirus (which accounts for anywhere between 10-40% of all colds). In most cases, symptoms include a runny nose, headache, fever, sore throat, aches and pains, and so on. Colds usually resolve themselves in a week or two, so prescription medication is typically not necessary.
However, you may want to manage symptoms with over-the-counter options (for example, using Children’s Tylenol to help manage your toddler’s fever).
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is not quite as common as it used to be, largely because there is now a reliable vaccine for this illness. When contracted, chickenpox can cover the body in itchy welts that look often like mosquito bites. Symptoms can also include fever and sore throat.
Some people insist on thinking of chickenpox as a harmless right of passage, but it’s important to note that this disease can cause significant complications (such as pneumonia or swelling of the brain). While rare, these complications can be life threatening. As a result, it’s recommended to protect your toddler with a vaccine.
RSV
RSV is a serious respiratory virus. RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, and it’s known to cause mild symptoms in adults–typical flu-like symptoms. However, in children, RSV can be much more serious due to inflammation of the airway and fluid in the lungs (known as pneumonia). In some cases, RSV has been known to cause death.
That’s why protecting your child with an RSV vaccine is strongly recommended. The RSV vaccine has been shown to protect children from RSV and from serious presentations at a significantly high rate.
For Kids Under Two Years Old & Expecting Moms
For kids under two there is an RSV immunization (it's an immunoglobulin) which is different from a vaccine and also there are RSV vaccines for older people and moms expecting.
Ear Infections
For adults, ear infections are quite rare. But kids can get them often. Sometimes ear infections are caused by other illnesses (for example, a mucus-producing cold can lead to an ear infection due to excess fluid in the ear). Treatment usually involves antibiotics or other medications–though it’s important to point out that ear infections can be caused by either viral or bacterial infections. When ear infections have a viral source, antibiotics will not be an effective medication.
It’s important to treat ear infections promptly. Repeated and chronic ear infections can impact your child’s linguistic development. The more quickly ear infections are addressed, the less impact there will be on your toddler’s long term hearing.
Pink Eye
Medically known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is an exceptionally contagious disease, but it’s mostly harmless when promptly treated. As the name implies, pink eye presents in part as a pink color in the white of the eye. Other symptoms include significant itchiness (this is particularly troublesome because itching is one of the primary ways that the disease can spread).
Pink eye is typically treated with antibiotic eye drops. Once treatment begins, symptoms tend to recede within a few days.
Strep Throat
The primary symptom of strep throat is a sore throat. This particular disease is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus pyogenes. This means that, like many illnesses in toddlers, strep throat is typically treated with antibiotics. Once treatment begins, symptoms will usually recede within a few days.
Symptoms of the illness include sore throat, fever, and swollen tonsils. Strep throat can be confirmed with a quick test (usually confirmed by a throat culture–which tends to take longer).
Our office uses a pcr like test that actually amplifies the signal and uses molecular probes. It is 99 % sensitive and doesn't require a culture
Gastroenteritis
This illness is what many people often refer to as a “stomach bug.” You may even hear some people call gastroenteritis the “stomach flu.” However, this illness is not caused by an influenza virus.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, and, sometimes, diarrhea. In most cases, gastroenteritis is treated with rest and plenty of fluids. Symptoms will typically last less than a week. However, when this illness does not resolve itself or is particularly severe, further treatment may be necessary.
When to Seek Out Treatment
Many of these common illnesses in toddlers seem largely harmless, in part because they are so common. But just because an illness is common does not necessarily mean that it can be ignored. As a parent, there will certainly be times when you will want to seek out treatment for your toddler, even if you suspect your child is grappling with a “common” illness.
In general, you’ll want to seek out treatment when:
Your child’s fever becomes excessively high (such as over 104F) or does not respond to medication to reduce the fever.
Your child’s fever lasts for three days or more.
Your child’s symptoms do not resolve within 2-3 days (depending on the symptoms).
Your child’s symptoms grow worse.
You have other reasons to be concerned.
In general, your child’s pediatrician will be able to help you treat the most common illnesses, such as the ones listed above. If you have concerns about whether your toddler’s illness is cause for concern, you can always reach out to your family pediatrician’s office.
Preventing Illness
Of course, the best way to prevent damage and discomfort caused by disease is to prevent these illnesses in the first place. The most effective means of preventing common illnesses in toddlers is to ensure your child is following their vaccination schedule.
It’s important to consult with your pediatrician about which vaccinations your child should receive when. Vaccines for diseases such as RSV or influenza can help your child avoid serious and sometimes life threatening complications.
Vaccines like flu or immunizations like RSV for little kids.
If you have questions about vaccines or the best way to vaccinate your child, talk to your child’s pediatrician during a regular wellness visit. At that point, you’ll be able to determine the best way to proceed for your child and ask all the questions you need to.
If you have questions about what common childhood illnesses your child may encounter, schedule an appointment at our Chicago or Northbrook offices to talk to your child’s pediatrician today.