Why does my child get sick so often?

Healthy kids (with normal immune systems) can catch around 10 infections a year, especially if they are in child care or preschool. During the summer they tend to be mostly well, but it’s common for them to bring home a new bug every 2 or 3 weeks during the winter. Most of the usual suspects (coughs and colds) are caused by viruses and will clear up on their own. Children pick up the colds from their friends or classmates—these bugs can survive on surfaces for hours and spread easily from person to person.