Everyone knows you can't cure the common cold or the flu. Sometimes you can prevent it with a vaccination, but for the most part, when you catch a cold, you just have to deal with it until it goes away. But what about our children? It's difficult to watch our babies and toddlers suffering. And when does the flu go from being inconvenient to dangerous for our little ones?

Dr. Julia Piwoz from the pediatric infectious diseases division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, N.J., says while there is no vaccine for the common cold, there is a vaccine against influenza that can be used for even very small children.

"Current immunization guidelines recommend that children ages 6 months to 23 months be immunized against the flu," says Dr. Piwoz. "In addition, children 2 years and above with certain health conditions should be immunized, but the vaccine can also be given to healthy children as well as adults."

Prevention is the best way to avoid colds and the flu, and one of the best methods available is hand washing. "Keep wipes or an alcohol-based hand gel if you cannot get to a sink easily," says Dr. Piwoz. "By teaching your child to wash their hands frequently as part of their normal routine, you can prevent them from getting many infections."

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