Common Childhood Illnesses covers fevers, colds, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, asthma, and the everyday conditions that drive most pediatric visits. Our pediatricians and editorial team explain what is usually self-limiting, what warning signs warrant a visit, how to manage at home, and when antibiotics are appropriate versus not.
Last reviewed: 10 August 2026
Eye flu (viral conjunctivitis) usually clears in 7-14 days with home care, cold compresses, artificial tears, strict hand hygiene, and staying home to avoid spreading it. Here is what actually helps, what to avoid, and when antibiotics or steroid drops are appropriate.
The right treatment for eye flu depends entirely on the cause. Viral conjunctivitis needs supportive care only; bacterial needs antibiotic drops; allergic needs antihistamines; irritant needs flushing. Getting the type wrong wastes time and can make it worse.
Eye flu is a catch-all term for conjunctivitis with different causes, most commonly adenovirus (viral, highly contagious), sometimes bacteria, allergies, or irritants like chlorine or pollution. Knowing the cause changes how it should be treated.
Eye flu, commonly known as viral conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as eye flu, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva that causes redness, irritation, and discomfort.
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Childhood dementia, also known as pediatric neurodegenerative disorder, is a rare condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline in children.
Expert answers from our medical team
You often can't tell for sure without a doctor. Viral illnesses (colds, most sore throats, stomach bugs) tend to come with runny nose, cough, mild fever, and get better in 5-7 days. Bacterial infections often have higher fever, are more localised (ear pain, painful urination, one-sided sore throat), and don't improve on their own. Antibiotics only help bacterial infections — using them for viruses does harm.
Dengue, typhoid, diarrhoeal illness with dehydration, and — in unvaccinated children — measles, whooping cough, and diphtheria. Also watch for tuberculosis in children who've had close contact with an adult with active TB. Routine immunisation prevents most of the vaccine-preventable diseases; hydration and hygiene help with the rest.
Watch for signs of dehydration: fewer wet nappies, dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, unusual sleepiness, or a soft spot on the head that looks sunken in babies. Blood in stool, high fever, or diarrhoea lasting more than a week also needs a doctor. ORS (oral rehydration solution) is the mainstay — anti-diarrhoea medicines shouldn't be given to young children without medical advice.
No — and doing so is one of the biggest drivers of antibiotic resistance in India. Most coughs and colds are viral and antibiotics won't help. A good doctor won't prescribe antibiotics reflexively; if one does, it's fair to ask why. Save antibiotics for when they're genuinely needed — otherwise they lose power against future infections.
Handwashing before eating and after using the toilet is the single biggest lever. Beyond that: keep vaccinations current, teach cough etiquette (into the elbow, not hands), avoid sharing water bottles or tiffins, and keep them home when actually sick (fever, diarrhoea, vomiting) so they don't spread it. Some illness is unavoidable — it's part of how a child's immune system develops.
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