Colds occur more often during the autumn and winter months - but not because the weather is worse. It's because people are cooped up together indoors, making it easier for viruses to spread from one person to another.
Though it can be worrying to see a child in your care sniffly, miserable and uncomfortable, it's normal for children to have six to eight colds a year. Adults have fewer, because they have built up immunity to the viruses.
In general, if the symptoms stay in the ear, nose and throat area, there's usually not much to worry about. But if a child has a cough that persists and then moves to the chest it should be checked out. It could indicate a chest infection, or asthma. Colds can lower a child's resistance to other bacteria and infections.
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