Common Symptoms & Concerns

Colds in young children
Your child probably will have more colds, or upper respiratory infections, than any other illness. In the first 2 years of life alone, most youngsters have 8 to 10 colds. click for more on colds from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Diarrhea & dehydration
Most children should continue to eat a normal diet including formula or milk while they have mild diarrhea. Special fluids have been designed to replace water and salts lost during diarrhea. click for more on treating diarrhea. (AAP)

Cough
Coughs are one of the most frequent symptoms of childhood illness, and although they can sound awful at times, they usually are not a symptom of anything dangerous. Actually, coughing is a healthy reflex that helps clear the airways in the throat and chest. click for more on cough. (KidsHealth)

Common over-the-counter medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be bought at your local drug store or grocery store without a doctor's order. This does not mean that OTCs are harmless. Like prescription medications, OTCs can be very dangerous to a child if taken incorrectly. Read more. (AAP)

Sore throat
The terms sore throat, strep throat, and tonsillitis are often used interchangeably, but they don't necessarily mean the same thing. In infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the most frequent cause of sore throats is a viral infection. more. (AAP)

Ear infections
Your child may have a number of symptoms during an ear infection. Some of the common symptoms are pain, fever, and difficulty hearing. If your child's ears are infected, your pediatrician may prescribe an antibiotic. more. (AAP)

Vomiting
Recurrent vomiting may be a sign that your child needs medical attention, especially if there is also abdominal pain, fever, or headache. more. (AAP)

Croup
Croup is an inflammation of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). When a child has croup, the airway just below the vocal cords becomes swollen and narrow. This makes breathing noisy and difficult. more. (AAP)