Viral illnesses

A fact sheet about signs and symptoms of viruses in children.

• 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.