Common Childhood Infections: Parent's Guide

Guide to recognizing and managing common childhood infections including symptoms and when to seek care.

10 min readLast updated: 2026-02-17

Quick Facts

Frequency
Average child gets 6-8 infections annually
Most Common
Upper respiratory infections, ear infections, strep throat
Prevention
Hand hygiene and vaccination are most effective

Overview: Understanding Childhood Infections

Childhood infections are part of normal development as immune systems mature through exposure and vaccination. Most infections are viral and self-limiting, though bacterial infections sometimes require antibiotics .

Understanding which infections require immediate care versus watchful waiting helps parents respond appropriately to their child's illness.

Key Information
Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics; antibiotics are only effective for bacterial infections. Fever is a sign of infection fighting, not necessarily dangerous.

Common Viral Infections

Upper respiratory infections (colds, sore throats) are most frequent, usually causing congestion, cough, and mild fever lasting 7-10 days. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease causes mouth sores and rash on hands/feet. Viral gastroenteritis causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Common Bacterial Infections

Strep throat presents with sore throat, fever, and swollen tonsils; rapid strep test confirms diagnosis. Ear infections (otitis media) cause ear pain and fever, common after upper respiratory infections. Urinary tract infections require antibiotic treatment .

Warning
Seek immediate care for stiff neck with fever, excessive lethargy, severe breathing difficulty, or high fevers in very young children. Watch for dehydration signs during gastroenteritis: no tears, dry mouth, infrequent urination.
Clinical Note
Supportive care—rest, fluids, fever management with appropriate medications—helps children recover from viral infections. Antibiotics are prescribed for confirmed bacterial infections. Vaccination prevents many serious childhood infections. Teach children proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to reduce transmission.

Home Management

Fever management includes appropriate-dose acetaminophen or ibuprofen, cool compresses, and adequate hydration. Avoid cold medications in children under age 4. Rest supports immune function. Return to normal activity gradually as children recover.

Sources

  1. [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. "Acute Otitis Media in Children." Pediatrics, 2013.
  2. [2]Shulman ST et al.. "Group A Streptococcal Infection." Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2016.

Medically reviewed by

Medical Review Team, Pediatrics

Last updated: 2026-02-17Sources: 2

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