Luckily, most of what our children pick up (and bring home to share with the family) are the usual coughs and colds, although vomiting and diarrhea occur as well. Often no treatment other than fluids and rest are needed, and most will get better on their own in about a week. The good news is that many children who seem to get sick often during their daycare and preschool years tend to miss less school when they are older since they've already been exposed to their fair share of germs.

Although you can't completely protect your toddler, there are a few things you can do to decrease the number of infections he catches: 

1. Teach him to wash his hands, especially after playing or using the bathroom, upon entering the house and before eating.

2. Vaccinate according to the American Academy of Pediatrics  and CDC schedule to protect your child against many serious diseases. Flu vaccines are also recommended yearly starting at 6 months of age.

3. Make sure he gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy well-balanced diet including fresh fruits and veggies, dairy products, whole grains and lean meats, poultry and fish.

4. See your pediatrician for regular well-child check ups and follow their advice for preventative health care.