Winter Viruses: What Families Should Know This Season
Winter brings colder weather, more time indoors, and a noticeable rise in respiratory illnesses. For families with young children, this season often comes with a steady cycle of coughs, fevers, and runny noses. It can feel never ending, but it is actually very typical.
In fact, did you know that if you have two or more kids, chances are someone in your household will be sick with a respiratory illness for more than half of the year?
Studies show that young children can get six to eight viral infections a year, and children under 2 or who are in school/daycare can experience even more. Each time a child catches a virus, it can spread through the household, which explains why parents often feel like they are getting sick again just as they recover from the last illness.
Why illnesses spike in winter
Several factors make winter the peak season for viruses.
• People spend more time inside with limited airflow
• Dry, cold air helps viruses survive longer
• Holiday gatherings increase close contact
• Classrooms and daycare settings allow easy spread between children
The result is a higher rate of infection and more overlapping illnesses within the same family.
What illnesses are circulating now
Right now, the most common viruses include:
• Common cold viruses
• Influenza
• RSV
• COVID-19
Symptoms often overlap, such as fever, congestion, cough, fatigue, and sore throat. Because these viruses can look similar, the best approach is to treat symptoms and seek guidance if anything seems unusual or severe.
Vaccines and prevention for the 2025 to 2026 season
Vaccination continues to be one of the best tools for preventing serious illness. This includes the yearly flu vaccine and updated COVID vaccines. RSV vaccines or preventive antibody treatments are also available for certain age groups, including infants and older adults. Heartland providers can help families determine what is recommended for each household member.
Simple prevention steps still make a big difference.
• Wash hands often
• Clean high touch surfaces
• Keep sick children home
• Increase airflow in indoor spaces
• Wear a mask if you are sick and must be around others
• Try to limit close contact with vulnerable individuals during illness
When to seek care
Many viral infections improve with rest, hydration, and time. Contact your care team if you or your child has:
• Difficulty breathing
• A high fever that is not improving
• Signs of dehydration
• Symptoms that worsen after several days
• A health condition that raises the risk of complications
When you are unsure what to do, call us at (785) 842-4477 and we can help you decide whether a clinic visit is needed.
Children may experience a viral infection as often as once every 1-2 months. It's not uncommon for a cough to linger for four to six weeks after a virus, meaning they (or you) may catch another bug before fully recovering from the previous one.
Panda Pediatrics
We exist to provide quality and compassionate health care to all children & adolescents in Lawrence and surrounding areas – focusing on integrated, patient-centered care.
As part of the Heartland Community Health Center Family, Panda Pediatrics accepts all patients regardless of income or insurance status.
We’re there when you need us, we have a physician on call 24-hours-a-day and a nurse triage line for all of your questions.
Walk-In Clinic
Open every week day, Panda Pediatrics is the only walk-in clinic specializing exclusively in pediatric care in Lawrence.
Established patients can visit the walk-in clinic for non-emergent sick symptoms such as: ear infections, fever, cough, respiratory symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea.
