Why kids get sick so often
Does it seem like your kid sick is always sick with a cold, flu, or other infection. In this Health Smarts video, pediatrician Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann reveals how many infections the average kid catches each year.
Transcript
It's common for kids to bring home a new bug every two or three weeks during the winter and fewer infections during the summer. [UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hi. I'm Dr. Altmann. Does it always seemed like one of your kids is sick with something? Here's some info to put that into perspective.
Healthy kids with normal immune systems can catch around 10 infections a year. That's especially true if they are in daycare or preschool.
Exposure to more kids means more infections. That's normal. It's common for kids to bring home a new bug every two or three weeks
during the winter and fewer infections during the summer. Most 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.
That's why it's so important to teach kids good hygiene habits, especially washing their hands frequently
and thoroughly. I'm Dr. Altmann. For more tips to keep your kids healthy, watch all our smart videos right here.
cold flu
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