Childhood Illnesses • Back to Growing Up Healthy As a parent, it is challenging trying to determine if your child is sick. When should you be worried and what have they come down with? The Canadian Pediatric Society has wonderful resources for parents on their web site. The information on this site is for reference only, not meant to replace regular medical follow-up with your family physician or pediatrician. The Health Unit also has a series of fact sheets on childhood illnesses such as the common cold and whooping cough. Your doctor may or may not prescribe antibiotics for infections. Read more about the differences between viruses and bacteria and antibiotic resistance.