Why is my child always sick?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Children catch more colds than adults - MedlinePlus puts adults at 2 to 3 colds a year and children higher - because their immune systems are still learning each of the 200-plus cold viruses one at a time. Nursery accelerates the learning. Most kids grow out of it; severe, unusual, or growth-affecting infections are the review-worthy pattern. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you review it.
What to do
- Expect the winter waves: back-to-back colds in nursery years are the norm, not a failure.
- Track the infections: count and severity over a season is useful GP evidence.
- Keep smoke away and hands washed, and take the flu vaccine where offered.
- Repeat pneumonia, poor growth, or unusual infections? See a GP.
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