Common back-to-school bugs to watch out for

Picking up frequent bugs is a rite of passage - it’s how our immune system develops. The silver lining is that next time the child meets this infection, they’ll have immunity, says Helen O’Callaghan

Young children commonly have six or more coughs and colds each year. Most are mild, viral and self-limiting. Picture: iStock

If your child is starting crèche or pre-school, get ready for the onslaught of childhood bugs. A March 2026 study involving researchers from University College London found young children will experience around 12–15 respiratory infections, two gastrointestinal illnesses and one or two rash-causing infections in the first year alone.

Ballina-based GP and infection control clinical lead with the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Scott Walkin says frequent bugs in the first year are because your child is meeting with lots of others for the first time. “Picking up frequent bugs is a rite of passage – it’s how our immune system develops.”