If your little one catches colds often since starting nursery or kindergarten, it’s usually normal: in a group setting they meet many new viruses, and the immune system “trains”. Many respiratory infections a year are common in young children, especially in the first year of group care, and most are mild and viral. What matters is recognising the warning signs and seeing a doctor when needed. This article is for information — for diagnosis and treatment, consult your family doctor or paediatrician.
Why they catch colds often
- In a group setting, the child is exposed to many new respiratory viruses their body hasn’t met before.
- Each mild infection trains the immune system — which is why colds are more frequent at the start.
- It’s a passing phase: usually the frequency decreases as the child grows and builds immunity.
- Most colds are viral and resolve on their own; antibiotics don’t help with viral infections (only the doctor decides when they’re needed).
What’s (usually) normal
- A blocked/runny nose, a mild cough, a low fever for a few days, then improvement.
- Several episodes over the cold season, with recovery between them.
- A temporarily reduced appetite, but feeling well between episodes.
Warning signs — see a doctor
Consult the doctor (or emergency services, as appropriate) if you see:
- High, persistent fever or fever in a young infant.
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, grunting, bluish lips.
- Signs of dehydration (passing little urine, dry mouth, crying without tears).
- Lethargy, a child hard to wake or inconsolable.
- A rash that doesn’t fade under pressure, a stiff neck.
- Refusing fluids, repeated vomiting.
- Symptoms that worsen or don’t improve.
This isn’t an exhaustive list — for any concern, ask the doctor.
How to support them at home
- Hydration and rest.
- Hand hygiene (the child’s and the family’s) reduces transmission.
- Up-to-date vaccinations, per the doctor’s recommendations.
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
When to keep them home and how they return
Keep the child home when they have a fever or symptoms that can spread. On returning after a medical absence longer than 3 days, an epidemiological clearance may be needed — see our guide to the epidemiological clearance on return. The frequent-colds period often coincides with settling in — see settling in at nursery and kindergarten and preparing for the first day.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to get sick often at nursery? Usually, yes. In a group setting the child meets many new viruses, and immunity trains. The frequency decreases as they grow.
How many colds a year are normal? Several episodes a year are common in young children, especially in the first year of group care. For your situation, ask the doctor.
Do they need antibiotics? Most colds are viral and resolve on their own; antibiotics don’t help with viral infections. Only the doctor decides when they’re needed.
When do I see a doctor? For a high/persistent fever, difficulty breathing, signs of dehydration, lethargy, a rash that doesn’t fade, refusing fluids or worsening symptoms.
How do I reduce colds? Hand hygiene, hydration, rest, up-to-date vaccinations and avoiding smoke. They can’t be eliminated entirely — they’re part of training immunity.
Sources
- The recommendations of family doctors and paediatricians (the medical consensus on respiratory infections in young children)
- For returning after illness, see our guide to the epidemiological clearance
This article is for information and does not replace medical advice. See all our sources on the data sources page.
Conclusion
Frequent colds at the start of nursery/kindergarten are usually normal — immunity is training, and the phase passes. Recognise the warning signs and consult the doctor when needed. You’ll find every nursery and kindergarten in Cluj-Napoca on the interactive piticluj.ro map.