Along with winter, snow and holidays, our children are visited by numerous upper respiratory infections (colds) and other viral illnesses. It often seems that children go from one infection to the next.

Just when are frequent infections too frequent? Children average 8-10 colds a year plus several episodes of diarrhea and vomiting. Although, the number of infections tends to decrease as a child grows up, exposure to the numerous viruses in school offsets this trend.

There are over 200 different cold viruses. Young children are not exposed to many of these and do not have protection from them. Children are exposed to them more often if they are in contact with other children such as older siblings in school, play groups, or day care. The rate of infection triples in the winter when people spend more time indoors. Smoking, or even passive exposure to smoke, can increase a child’s susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Repeated colds or "minor" infections are not signs of underlying immune system problems. Children with immune disorders do not experience more colds than the average child. They usually have more sever, unusual infections. Also children with serious chronic illnesses are not energetic or do not gain weight well.

Look at your child’s general health. A child who is thriving and growing does not have an underlying serious illness. Exposure to viruses is part of growing up and helps your child’s body to build up its immune defenses. Thus, as your child grows, he will be sick less often.

Send your child back to school as soon as possible. Fever and symptoms that could be annoying to classmates such as coughs should be gone. There is no way to guarantee that he or she is not contagious. However, on any given day about ¼ of children have minor illnesses. Exposure to others with viruses is unavoidable.

There are no cures for viral infections. Antibiotics do not help unless complications such as ear infections occur.

Colds are not caused by poor diet, lack of vitamins, going outside in the cold, wet hair, or any of the other reasons are parents told us. They are normal part of growing up and the maturing of our immune systems.