(NC)—Whether it's at daycare or school - children are consistently in contact with many germs, leaving them highly susceptible to illness. The number of colds per child can be as high as five to eight per year. Children have also been shown to encounter the highest number of flu cases, accounting for 24 per cent of type A influenza cases and 17 per cent of type B cases, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Despite the common occurrence of these illnesses and no matter how many times your child gets sick, each case can be just as stressful as the last. Identifying whether your child has a cold or the flu can be tough, as symptoms can be similar.

The common cold is a mild infection of the respiratory passages that often leads to runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. The symptoms of the flu are typically more severe than a cold, and affect the entire body. Symptoms of the flu may include: chills, fever, body pain and headaches.

Finding effective and safe treatments can also be a challenge for parents. With Health Canada's restrictions on the use of cough and cold medicines for children under the age of six, parents are often unsure of how they can help their child battle cold and flu.

Some natural health products, such as Coryzalia, Stodal and Oscillococcinum from Boiron Canada, have been approved by Health Canada and may be used for the treatment of coughs and colds in children and help relieve their symptoms with no known side effects. A little extra TLC, warm baths, extra rest and consumption of clear fluids will also help your child on the road to recovery. Used together, Health Canada-approved medicines and home remedies can help your child effectively tackle their symptoms, having them back to good health in no time.