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Kids Health Info

Viral illnesses

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    Key points

    • Viral illnesses are very common in children and spread easily around childcare, kindergarten or school.
    • It is normal for children to get up to 12 viral infections a year in their first few years of life; it can seem like they are sick all the time.
    • Antibiotics will not help treat viral illnesses. The best treatment is to rest at home so the body can clear the infection.
    • Vaccination prevents many serious viruses, such as measles, mumps, rubella (German measles) and chickenpox.

    What are viral illnesses?

    A viral illness is an infection caused by a germ called a virus. Viruses cause many illnesses, such as the common cold, bronchiolitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, gastroenteritis, flu (influenza), mumps and chickenpox. There are hundreds of different viruses; knowing which one your child has is usually not important.

    When your child is young, it may seem like they are always sick – getting one virus shortly after getting better from another. It is common for healthy children to get up to 12 viral infections a year in their first few years of life. As your child gets older and their immune system strengthens, they should get sick less often.

    Signs and symptoms of common viral illnesses

    Your child's viral infection symptoms will depend on the virus. The most common symptoms of viral illnesses are:

    • Fever (temperature of 38°C or more)
    • Tiredness and wanting to sleep more (lethargy)
    • Not wanting to eat
    • Feeling generally unwell.

    Many viruses also cause:

    • a blocked or runny nose
    • red, watery eyes
    • a sore throat
    • rashes that turn white (blanch) for a second or so after you push on them with a finger
    • coughing and/or sneezing
    • vomiting and/or diarrhoea
    • abdominal pain
    • aches and pains.

    Are viral illnesses contagious?

    Almost all viral illnesses are contagious. That is why viruses spread quickly through childcare and schools.

    The two most common ways for viruses to spread are:

    1. Through tiny droplets in the air or on surfaces, such as from coughing and sneezing.
    2. When someone touches the saliva, mucous, vomit or poo of an infected person.

    Stopping the spread of viruses

    Keeping your child at home when sick reduces the spread of viruses. Within the home, good hygiene will help stop the spread to other household members. This includes:

    • regularly cleaning hands with soap or alcohol hand sanitiser
    • not sharing cups or cutlery
    • encouraging your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow
    • teaching your child to throw tissues into the bin after use and to wash their hands afterwards.

    If possible, keep your child away from young babies and elderly people while sick.

    How to care for viral illnesses at home

    Antibiotics cannot treat viruses. The best treatment for viral illnesses is plenty of rest at home; this will help your child’s immune system fight the virus.

    Here are some simple ways to make your child more comfortable while sick:

    • Give your child small amounts to drink often when they are awake. A mouthful of fluid every 15 minutes or so is a good guide. This will give your child’s body energy to fight the infection and stop dehydration.
      • The type of fluid depends on your child’s age. Babies should have breastmilk or formula, or rehydration fluids like electrolytes. Older children should have water, juice or milk. If they are just having water, then make sure they also eat some basic foods like crackers, jelly, yoghurt, congee or soup.
    • It is normal for children to lose their appetite while sick. Do not be worried if your child stops eating for a few days; they will start eating again when they feel better.
    • Use saline nasal (nose) spray to help clear a blocked nose – especially in babies. If your baby has a clear nose, they will find it easier to feed.
    • Encourage your child to get plenty of rest.
    • Give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain or if they seem miserable, irritable or lethargic. Do not give your child aspirin. Carefully check the label for the correct dose and ensure you have not already given your child other products with paracetamol or ibuprofen (such as some cold-and-flu medicines).
      • If your child has a fever but does not seem miserable or uncomfortable, do not give them pain medicine. Fever helps the body get better naturally.
    • Do not use other remedies unless a doctor or health care professional suggests them.

    Your child should start feeling better in a few days, but it may take a few weeks to get back to normal. A cough can last longer; this is okay if your child is feeling better otherwise.

    Viral rashes are common and usually last for a few days.

    When to get help

    Call an ambulance (000) if:
    • your child is struggling to breathe and cannot catch their breath.
    • your child’s skin looks blueish or grey.
    • your child is not waking up or interacting.
    • your child has a rash that does not turn skin-colour (blanch) when you press on it.

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child is lethargic all the time and gets no bursts of energy.
    • your child has a rash and gets a headache, stiff neck or back pain.
    • your child is three months or younger and is not feeding well.

    See a doctor or health professional if:
    • your child looks pale.
    • your child has pain (including headache) that does not get better with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
    • your child has ongoing vomiting and diarrhoea.
    • your child is not drinking fluids and will not eat an icy pole.
    • your child has signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual, cool hands and feet, sunken eyes and worsening lethargy.

    Look after your child at home if:
    • they are drinking enough fluids and peeing more than half their normal amount.
    • they do not have any trouble breathing.
    • they get bursts of energy between fevers.
    • they start getting better within seven days.

    Common questions about viral illnesses

    Should I take my child to a doctor to diagnose their virus?

    If your child only has mild symptoms that paracetamol or ibuprofen help, and they start getting better within seven days, you do not need to take them to a doctor. Care is the same for most viruses, so doctors will not usually test to see which virus your child has.

    Does my child need antiviral medicine?

    There are not many effective antiviral treatments, and doctors only recommend them in rare cases.

    How can I stop my child from getting so many viruses?

    It is impossible to prevent your child from getting common viral infections. The best ways to lower their risk of viral illness are to give them nutritious food, vaccinate them, help them avoid cigarette smoke, teach them good hygiene, and keep them away from sick children.

    What natural remedies can I give my child to help them feel better when they have a cold?

    We do not recommend giving your child any natural remedies (including vaporisers) without professional medical advice. Over-the-counter products such as vitamins or supplements are not necessary and have no or limited scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness in preventing or treating viruses such as colds.

    Most remedies passed down in families, such as staying warm, not going to bed with wet hair, and always wearing shoes outside, are not proven to prevent colds. They were popular before scientists discovered viruses cause colds.

    My child has asthma; should I be worried about them catching a virus?

    Sometimes, viruses can trigger asthma (if your child has a diagnosis of asthma) or a wheeze (whistling sound while breathing). If this happens, treat the asthma as you usually would. If the wheeze is new and your child has trouble breathing, take them to see their doctor.

    Can children get COVID-19?

    Children can get COVID-19. In most cases, their symptoms are similar to other cold viruses.

    How long should my child stay home from childcare or school after a virus?

    If your child is unwell with a viral illness, keep them home from childcare, kindergarten or school until they are well again.

    This podcast is also available in audio format below, and on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    For more information

    Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed April 2025

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.