Question

Why does my 15-month-old keep getting viral infections?

Answer

What you are experiencing is a common problem for the infant or toddler who has older siblings. Your 5-year-old is undoubtedly bringing home a variety of germs from the virus ranch called kindergarten that he attends. While the older child may not get sick from each one, your toddler has less experience with infections and is more susceptible.

If your 15-month-old is growing and gaining weight adequately, has a normal amount of energy between bouts of infection, and does not have unusual or severe infections such as pneumonia, abscesses, or meningitis, stick it out. He will probably go through about a year of this and then have fewer infections.

If you can possibly get your 5-year-old to wash his hands and face first thing when he comes home, the situation might improve somewhat. Hand washing is the most effective means to cut down on the rate of transmission of infections, and noses and eyes can harbor germs as well.