If it feels like your child gets sick every few weeks during the winter, you’re not imagining it — and you’re definitely not alone. Winter is the peak season for pediatric illnesses, especially in Arizona where fluctuating temperatures, dry air, and circulating viruses create the perfect environment for repeated infections.
As a parent, it’s frustrating to watch your child bounce from one illness to the next. The constant coughs, runny noses, fevers, and late-night symptoms can leave any family exhausted. But understanding why this happens — and what you can do about it — is the first step toward a healthier winter for your little one.
At Bellagio Family Medical, we help families navigate seasonal pediatric illnesses every single day. Here are the 7 most common winter illnesses in children, how to recognize them, and when to schedule a visit with a primary care provider.
1. The Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Infection)
The common cold is the #1 reason kids get sick repeatedly. Children can catch 6–10 colds per year, especially in daycare or school environments.
Symptoms include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Mild cough
- Sore throat
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue
Colds typically last 5–10 days, but symptoms like cough can linger longer.
When to visit Bellagio Family Medical:
- Fever lasts more than 3 days
- Breathing appears uncomfortable
- Symptoms worsen after day 5
- Persistent cough keeps your child up at night
We help determine whether it’s just a cold — or something more.
2. Influenza (Flu)
Flu season peaks in winter, and children are among the most vulnerable. Unlike a cold, the flu comes on suddenly and feels significantly worse.
Symptoms include:
- High fever
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Cough
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Seek care promptly if your child has trouble breathing, is unusually lethargic, or has symptoms lasting longer than a few days.
Bellagio Family Medical can provide testing, treatment guidance, and supportive care to reduce complications.
3. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV is extremely common in infants and young children during winter. For most kids, it causes cold-like symptoms, but in some cases it can lead to more serious illness.
Watch for:
- Wheezing
- Fast or labored breathing
- Persistent cough
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Blue tint around lips or fingertips (emergency)
RSV is one of the illnesses we monitor closely throughout the winter season. Our team provides evaluation, guidance, and supportive care to keep your child safe and comfortable.
4. Strep Throat
Strep throat spreads quickly in schools and daycares and requires antibiotic treatment.
Key symptoms:
- Sudden, severe sore throat
- Painful swallowing
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headache
- No cough (this is a strong clue!)
If strep is suspected, Bellagio Family Medical performs rapid testing and begins treatment immediately to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
5. Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
Ear infections often follow a cold or sinus congestion, especially in younger children.
Signs include:
- Ear pain
- Fussiness or irritability
- Fever
- Tugging at the ears
- Trouble sleeping
- Fluid drainage
These infections can be viral or bacterial, and our providers will help determine the best treatment plan for your child.
6. Sinus Infections
Kids can develop sinusitis when mucus builds up and becomes trapped during a cold or allergy flare-up.
Symptoms include:
- Thick yellow or green mucus
- Bad breath
- Facial pressure
- Persistent cough
- Congestion lasting more than 10 days
Bellagio Family Medical can rule out allergies, viral infections, or bacterial sinusitis and provide the right treatment to help your child breathe easy again.
7. Gastrointestinal Viruses (Stomach Bugs)
Winter is prime season for norovirus and other stomach viruses — especially in group settings.
Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Low-grade fever
- Dehydration risk
If your child cannot hold down fluids or appears weak, our team can help monitor hydration and provide guidance for safe recovery.
Why Kids Get Sick More Often in Winter
Several factors make winter illnesses more frequent in children:
- Close indoor contact at school or daycare
- Dry air that weakens nasal defenses
- More circulating viruses during the season
- Developing immune systems
- Touching shared toys, surfaces, and supplies
The good news? Most of these illnesses are treatable and often preventable with the right care and support.
How Bellagio Family Medical Helps Keep Your Child Healthy All Winter
Our clinic provides family-centered, compassionate pediatric care designed to keep your child healthier throughout the winter season. We offer:
- Same-day and next-day pediatric sick visits
- Rapid testing for strep, flu, and COVID
- Comprehensive physical exams
- Monitoring for recurring infections
- Personalized allergy and asthma management
- Medication guidance and prescriptions
- Preventive care to strengthen immunity
We take the stress out of winter illness by offering reliable answers, quick care, and support that fits your family’s needs.
If your child keeps getting sick or symptoms don’t seem normal, don’t wait for things to get worse. Reach out to Bellagio Family Medical today to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help your family get through winter safely, comfortably, and with fewer sick days.
