Viruses are the most common cause of illness in children. They cause infections such as the common cold, bronchiolitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, and influenza.

They can spread easily within families and between children. Most children recover fully within a week but even healthy children can have up to 12 viral illnesses every year.

Signs and symptoms

The most common symptom is a fever, this is a temperature higher than 38°C, but your child may also:

• have a runny, blocked or congested nose
• have a cough or lots of sneezing
• feel really tired
• be eating or drinking less
• have vomiting or diarrhoea
• have a rash.

When to seek help

Call Triple Zero (000) if your child:

• is less than 3 months old and has a fever
• becomes very sleepy and hard to wake up
• drinks less than half their normal amount
• wees less than twice a day
• is breathing very quickly or you have concerns about their breathing
• has been diagnosed with a viral infection and their symptoms get worse.

If you're not sure whether to go to an emergency department, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and speak to a registered nurse.

Stop the spread

Your child can get a virus if they breathe in droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze. Viruses can also spread through vomit or poo, especially when someone has diarrhoea.

Prevention

You can help reduce the changes of your child getting a virus by using good hygiene measures including:

• regular hand washing or alcohol hand rubs
• not sharing cups or cutlery
• encouraging children to cough or sneeze into their elbow
• using tissues not handkerchiefs – teach your child to throw tissues in the bin after they’ve used them and to wash their hands afterwards.

If your child is sick with a virus, keep them home until they're well again.

Diagnosis

A doctor can usually diagnose a viral illness by examining your child. They won’t need to do a test.

Treatment

The best treatment is rest. This lets your child’s immune system fight the virus. Viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics.

If your child has a virus the following can them feel more comfortable:

• paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage fevers - follow the instructions and don’t give them more than the recommended amount
• sugar based fluids like milk or apple juice - little sips more often may help.

Developed by the Emergency Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.

Resource ID: FS351. Reviewed: August 2023.

Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.