And that's why this season of sickness lasts from about November through April. The truth is, there are no magic cures for the common cold. One of the most common myths around colds and flues is that they are transmitted only by coughs and sneezes and by children breathing on one another. Droplets carrying a cold virus leave the nose and mouth of a sick child through sneezes and can contaminate external surfaces, including the hands of the person with the cold. It's also important to wash frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as toys or the telephone.
Cold viruses survive for only a few hours on inanimate objects.
Flu viruses can live on them up to 75 hours. Children also should be given a generous supply of tissues and encouraged to use them, instead of wiping their nose on sleeves or hands. If a child is feverish, it's vital that he eat and drink. Fevers increase metabolic and heart rate, so a child needs extra nutrition and fluids, even though the child's appetite is suppressed. It's best to stick with bland, starchy foods, or whatever the child finds appealing.