If you have a child in school or daycare, you probably know the drill: the runny nose starts, then comes the cough, and suddenly everyone in the house seems to be sick.
Respiratory illnesses are a normal part of childhood, especially when kids spend a lot of time around other children. In fact, young children can have 6 to 8 colds a year, particularly when they are in school or childcare.
That can feel like a lot -- and sometimes it is hard to know when a cough and congestion are simply part of another childhood cold and when something more serious may be going on.
As we head into cold, flu and RSV season, here are a few things parents and caregivers should know.
Colds are common -- really common
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold, which is one reason children can get sick over and over again. Most colds are mild and get better on their own.
A runny or stuffy nose, cough, sneezing and sore throat are all common cold symptoms.
Antibiotics don't treat a cold because colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria.
The good news is that most children recover without complications. The challenge for parents is recognizing when an illness may be more than a routine cold.
Flu is different from a cold
Influenza, or the flu, can cause more significant illness than a typical cold. Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and fatigue are common symptoms, and children can also experience vomiting or diarrhea.
The flu is more than just a bad cold. Most kids who get the flu will recover at home, but sometimes it can lead to complications that require a hospital stay. Younger children are especially vulnerable. During the 2024–25 flu season, about 105 children ages 0–4 out of every 100,000 were hospitalized with influenza in CDC surveillance data.
That doesn't mean you should panic every time your child gets a fever. It means it's worth knowing the signs of flu, taking prevention seriously, and knowing when to call your child's pediatrician.
But it is important to remember that influenza is not simply a “bad cold,” and some children are at greater risk for complications.
The annual flu vaccine is one of the most important tools we have to help protect children from influenza and its complications. If you're unsure whether your child should receive a flu vaccine or whether they need one or two doses this season, talk with their pediatrician.
What about RSV?
RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a very common respiratory virus, and most children will have had an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old. For many children, RSV looks like a cold and gets better on its own.
But RSV can be more serious in very young infants.
In babies, RSV can sometimes progress from a runny nose and decreased appetite to wheezing, difficulty breathing or bronchiolitis, an infection that affects the small airways in the lungs. Very young infants may not have a fever at all. Instead, parents may notice irritability, decreased activity, poor feeding or pauses in breathing.
There is now a way to help protect babies from severe RSV.
You may hear it called the “RSV shot,” but it is not a traditional vaccine. It is a long-acting monoclonal antibody called Beyfortus (nirsevimab) or Enflonsia (clesrovimab). Rather than teaching the baby's immune system to make its own antibodies, the shot provides antibodies directly -- meaning protection begins right away.
In most of the United States, infant RSV antibodies are given during the RSV season, generally October through March. For babies born during that period, the ideal time is during the birth hospitalization or within the first week of life.
Eligibility is more limited than it is for the annual flu vaccine. Under current CDC recommendations, RSV antibody is recommended for:
- Infants younger than 8 months who are entering their first RSV season if their mother did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, her vaccination status is unknown, or the baby was born within 14 days of maternal vaccination.
- Some children ages 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV illness and are entering their second RSV season.
Most babies do not need both maternal RSV vaccination and an infant RSV antibody. Your child's pediatrician can help determine which option is appropriate for your family.
Know when to call your child's doctor
Most respiratory illnesses can be managed at home with rest, fluids and comfort measures. But don't hesitate to call your child's healthcare provider if you are concerned.
Seek medical attention if your child is having difficulty breathing, isn't drinking enough fluids, is becoming dehydrated, or has symptoms that are getting worse.
For babies, especially young infants, trust your instincts. Changes in feeding, activity level or breathing can be important signs that your baby needs to be evaluated.
And remember: you don't have to figure it out alone. If you're wondering whether your child's symptoms are part of another routine cold or something that needs a closer look, don’t hesitate to reach out to their pediatrician.
Cold and flu season is part of childhood -- but knowing what to watch for can help you feel more prepared when the next sniffle, cough or fever arrives.