August 21, 2026 — Children's Health Care
By Matthew McClure, MD
By late summer, we often see a pattern in the emergency room: a child comes home from camp with a cough, a teen develops a fever after sports practice or a college student gets sick after moving into a dorm.
Close contact that comes with back-to-school season helps viruses spread quickly. Early symptoms of viral illness like the common cold, the flu or meningitis can look similar at first. Some infections can become serious quickly.
But how is a parent to know the difference? And when should a child stay home from school with cold symptoms?
Understanding some basic signs and symptoms of viral illness can help you make the right judgment call if your child gets sick. Remember, it’s always better to be cautious. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, contact your doctor’s office or go to the emergency room.
A typical cold can cause congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Mild headache, body aches or fever may also occur.
Managing symptoms at home is usually reasonable when your child or teen is breathing comfortably, drinking fluids, urinating normally and remaining alert. Symptoms should remain stable or begin to improve as the illness runs its course.
Babies and young children may behave differently when they are sick. Poor feeding, fewer wet diapers or unusual lack of energy are signs to call the doctor, even if a cough or congestion seems mild.
Cold symptoms can often be eased with:
Babies younger than 1 should not eat honey, because it can cause a serious bacterial infection in their digestive system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises against over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 6 years old due to the risk of side effects. Talk with your child’s doctor about the best way to help them feel comfortable.
A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is one of the signs of a viral infection.
Feeling a child’s forehead may tell you that something has changed; take their temperature with a thermometer to know for sure. This helps you make informed decisions about giving medication, going to school or daycare or going to the doctor.
Giving your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce discomfort so they can rest and drink fluids more comfortably. It can also help control their fever. Stay ahead of their symptoms by switching between acetaminophen and ibuprofen according to the directions on the product labels. A doctor can help you understand how much and how often to give your child.
Follow these precautions with over-the-counter pain relievers:
A mild cough does not automatically require missing school or activities. CDC guidance says students should stay home when they have:
A fever
Check your school’s rules about returning to school after an illness. Generally, students can return when:
You know your child best. Talk with their doctor if you are worried. In general, call a doctor if:
Don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room if your child isn’t eating, toileting or wetting diapers normally, sleeping well or behaving like themselves. Go to the nearest emergency room right away if your child has any of these symptoms, even if they don’t have a fever:
Go to the ER right away for meningitis symptoms: fever with a bad headache, stiff neck, confusion, vomiting, extreme tiredness, or sensitivity to light.
Meningitis is inflammation of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord. The disease can worsen within hours and can be fatal. Close living arrangements (such as a college dorm) increase the risk of meningitis. Many people are vaccinated against it. Check your child’s vaccination records before they go to college, camp, mission trips or military service.
Physicians PremiER is one of the few freestanding ERs with access to MeMed BV. This FDA-cleared blood test helps our doctors quickly determine whether your child’s illness is caused by a virus or bacteria.
Knowing the difference helps us give your child the right treatment. For example, giving antibiotics for a virus won’t help, and it may cause more side effects like upset stomach. MeMed results are available in as little as 15 minutes, so we can help your child feel better faster.
When you’re worried about your child’s health, it’s always better to seek a doctor’s opinion. Physicians PremiER emergency rooms are open 24/7 to take care of your family.
Stay prepared: Find an emergency room near you. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.