What Sickness Is Going Around Right Now? Cold Illness Symptoms Parents Should Know
- December 27, 2025
- Abrol Hospital
Every winter, parents start asking the same question: “What sickness is going around right now?” Between sniffles at school, coughs at daycare, and viruses going around in the community, it can feel overwhelming. Understanding the cold illness symptoms, psychosomatic disorders & knowing when to seek medical help, and learning simple prevention tips can help you keep your family healthier and less stressed.
During colder months, kids spend more time indoors where air circulation is poor. Germs thrive in these environments and spread easily through:
Coughing and sneezing
Touching shared objects (toys, desks, doorknobs)
Close contact at school, buses, sports, or daycare
Poor hand-washing habits
The Most Common Illnesses Going Around Right Now:
Seasonal changes, crowded classrooms, and indoor gatherings create the perfect environment for germs to spread. Understanding what sickness is going around right now — and learning how to prevent it — helps parents protect their children before illness takes hold.
1. The Common Cold — The Most Frequent Virus Going Around
The common cold remains the most widespread virus going around each winter. Because more than 200 different viruses cause colds, children may catch one several times a year. Symptoms usually include a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, mild cough, sneezing, and occasional low fever. These cold illness symptoms develop slowly and typically last 5–10 days.
Prevention tips for colds:
Teach kids to wash hands frequently (20 seconds)
Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
Disinfect phones, toys, doorknobs, school bags
Encourage personal towels, bottles, and utensils
Keep children home when they have fever or heavy cough
2. Influenza (Flu) — Sudden and Intense Illness
Influenza — often referred to as the flu going around — spreads rapidly and can cause severe fatigue, high fever, chills, cough, headaches, and body aches. Unlike colds, flu symptoms appear suddenly and can make children extremely weak. Young children, elderly adults, and those with medical conditions face higher risks of complications such as pneumonia.
Prevention tips for flu:
Annual flu vaccination
Avoid close contact with sick people
Keep kids home at the first sign of fever
Clean frequently touched surfaces
Encourage good sleep — strong immunity fights flu faster
3. RSV -Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Common Among Babies and Toddlers)
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is another virus going around frequently in winter. For older children it may look like a bad cold, but in infants and toddlers it can affect breathing. Symptoms include runny nose, heavy cough, wheezing, and reduced appetite. Babies may struggle to feed or breathe comfortably when infected.
Prevention tips for RSV:
Wash hands before touching babies
Avoid kissing babies on the face
Keep infants away from crowded indoor places
Clean pacifiers, bottles, and toys daily
Keep smokers away — smoke worsens RSV symptoms
4. Strep Throat — Bacterial Illness Going Around
Unlike many illnesses going around that are viral, strep throat is bacterial and requires antibiotics. Children experience sudden severe throat pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, and swollen glands. Without proper treatment, strep can cause complications such as rheumatic fever.
Prevention tips:
Don’t share water bottles or utensils
Teach children not to share food in school
Replace toothbrush after treatment begins
Complete the full antibiotic course (doctor prescribed)
5. Stomach Viruses (Gastroenteritis)
When schools report a stomach virus going around, they usually mean viral gastroenteritis. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dehydration risk. These viruses spread through contaminated food, unwashed hands, and shared bathrooms.
Prevention tips:
Wash hands before eating and after bathroom use
Sanitize bathroom surfaces regularly
Avoid raw or improperly stored foods
Keep sick children home for 48 hours after symptoms stop
Encourage frequent hydration
Don’t Guess the Illness — Get Expert Care Today
If your child is showing cold illness symptoms, fever, cough, breathing difficulty, or you are unsure what sickness is going around right now, don’t wait.
📞 Consult our experienced doctors in Abrol Hospital, Gurdaspur, for proper diagnosis and treatment.
We’ll evaluate symptoms, provide the right care plan, and help prevent complications — so your child recovers faster and stays protected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illnesses Going Around Right Now
Most commonly, the illnesses going around right now include the common cold, flu, RSV, stomach viruses, strep throat, and COVID-19. These infections spread quickly in schools, daycare centers, and crowded indoor spaces. Knowing what sickness is going around right now helps parents recognize symptoms early and prevent complications.
Typical symptoms for cold include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, mild fever, and congestion. These cold illness symptoms usually appear gradually and last 5–10 days. If your child has difficulty breathing, persistent fever, or severe fatigue, seek medical advice.
A cold develops slowly and usually causes mild symptoms.
The flu appears suddenly and brings high fever, body aches, chills, and extreme tiredness. If you suspect flu — especially when a virus is going around at school — consult your doctor for guidance and treatment options.
Cold weather drives people indoors, where germs circulate more easily. Dry air weakens the body’s natural defenses and makes it easier for respiratory viruses to enter. That’s why we often hear about multiple illnesses going around during winter months.
Hand-washing, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, avoiding shared cups, and keeping sick children at home greatly reduce risk. Staying hydrated, sleeping well, and maintaining good nutrition also strengthen immunity against viruses going around your community.
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