Children’s winter illness keeping your kids down? KidsStreet Urgent Care is here to educate you on the most common types of winter illnesses in kids, as well as how you can treat them at home.
Why Do My Kids Get Sick During Winter?
Many people face an assortment of illnesses during the winter months because they spend more time indoors, breathing circulated air. Since kids spend most of their time in school during this season, they tend to experience these illnesses the most.
Most Common Winter Illnesses
The most common winter illnesses in kids include:
- Flu viruses
- Ear infection
- Strep throat
- RSV
- Cold viruses
- COVID-19
- Stomach viruses
- Pink eye
Most of these viruses are easily diagnosed and treated, and KidsStreet offers testing and treatment for each of these conditions in our urgent care services for kids.
Symptoms of Winter Illnesses in Kids
There are a few telltale signs that your child is facing a winter illness. According to UC Davis Health, symptoms of these illnesses can last anywhere from a few days to over a week.
Common symptoms of winter illnesses include:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Body aches
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Watery and red eyes
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Headaches
- Chills
Additionally, it is important to note the symptoms your child is experiencing when they get sick, especially since it is flu season. If your child is having symptoms associated with the flu, get them tested as soon as possible.
Treating Winter Illnesses in Children
Most winter illnesses are easy to treat with the right tactics. Some of the most common treatment methods include:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Taking over the counter medications for fever and pain (Children’s Motrin, Children’s Tylenol, etc.).
- Taking cold medicines that are made for kids.
- Keep your child hydrated! Ensure they drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
- Nose sprays for runny noses or congestion.
- Cough drops and sprays for stubborn coughing fits.
- Throat sprays for a sore throat that won’t subside.
When your child’s winter illness is caused by an infection, it’s time for antibiotics! Your child’s provider can both check them for and provide them with the correct antibiotic for their infection if that is what they are dealing with. If your child is prescribed an antibiotic, ensure that they finish the full dosage to prevent recurrent infection.
Turn To KidsStreet Urgent Care
Is your child struggling with a winter illness? KidsStreet can help!
Simply register online for your nearest clinic, and wait from anywhere. Our online registration system allows you to shorten your in-clinic wait time, and wait comfortably from your car or at home.
We love walk-ins, and accept them daily! However, please be aware that walk-ins may experience longer in-clinic wait times. Patients are seen in the order that they register, and walk-ins are added to the queue with those who register online.