Back-to-back Cold in Six Year Old

Happens all the time - could be a relapse, could be something new. Either way, it's because her immune system is weak and she's susceptible to everything. Colds usually last a week, the flu can be longer (10 days), and if the cough becomes bronchitis, it can last 3-4 weeks especially because it's worse at night and the person just isn't resting well. I used to get bronchitis 3-4 times a year for at least 3 weeks at a clip, almost always from a cold that took hold in my chest. Sometimes I'd get a sinus infection, and that could last for weeks too. I always ate well (back in the day before processed convenience foods) and drank fluids, and I was the kid that played in the dirt and all that (back when we knew better than to use all these antibacterial soaps and sanitizers). But I still would get hammered by respiratory stuff until I strengthened my immune system. None of us get sick anymore, thank God. I think you're just starting to see this for the first time, and so it's throwing you for a loop. I'm not surprised, and I doubt the pediatrician would be either.

sure, it's very common for a little already-weakened immune system to succumb to something else. the longest i ever had to keep one home was a week (croup), but there were plenty of times they'd need a day or two here and there to battle back an opportunistic bug.
just be sensible, treat the symptoms, and keep her comfortable.
khairete
S.

If she's in school she's exposed to new germs every day. It's one of those things where kids are building their immune systems. They have to go through this now or they end up doing it when they are older and it's much harder.

If you think it's a concern the doc could tell you what you might need to do. Such as re-teaching kiddo to wash their hands after touching toys in the classroom or sharing a ball on the playground, etc....

Since the two are back to back, it's possible the second is a relapse. This has happened to me and my family. Recently I had pain in my lower chest and heard a rattle. I went to Urgent Care and learned my cold turned into pneumonia.Since her cough is now dry, it's very unlikely that she has pneumonia.

It's possible that these are 2 different colds. Our body's immune system is compromised when we have a cold. This lowers our ability to defend against new viruses.

There is no way to know how long or how quickly your daughter's body will heal when compared to a different child's body. Every body and every virus are different. In Portland, i've heard that the current cold virus, making it's rounds, lingers for weeks. My adult daughter still has symptoms a month later. Because she has other complex health issues, she saw her doctor and learned she now has pneumonia. Neither one of us had a fever.

I suggest you call the advice nurse. (S)he knows how colds/flues are acting in your area.

There are different strains of flu.
It's possible to catch one, and then catch another.
Vaccines can help you with some of the worst ones - it's still possible to catch it but it's not so bad if you've had the shot.
This year - so far (knock on wood) - we've been flu free.
Flu can take a long time to get over - and you're exhausted for a long time afterward.
Just treat it as it comes - and keep up with the chicken soup.
Our son gets over stuff pretty quickly.
A few years ago I had a cough that wouldn't quit for 2 months.