Before discussing the five illnesses that kids can get affected from, let’s understand why do children fall sick more often in winter?

It’s a myth that cold weather makes them sick. Being cold itself does not make them sick. The fact is when it is cold outside, children tend to spend more time at home, thus easily passing germs and infections to one another.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common viral respiratory infection that causes bronchiolitis in children under the age of two. Although different viruses can cause bronchiolitis, RSV is one of the most common causes.

Flu, also known as influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus. Its onset is often sudden and accompanied with symptoms like cough, runny nose, congestion, muscle or body aches.

Common cold is again a viral infection, but with less severe symptoms. Children may have low grade fever early on. Ensure the child gets adequate rest. Keep the child hydrated.

Strep throat is a type of bacterial infection and is contagious one. Common in children between the age 5 and 15, it may be accompanied with red rash resulting in diagnosis of scarlet fever.

Stomach flu is an intestinal infection, and is very commonly caused by norovirus. It is typically accompanied with vomiting which can last up to a couple of days.