Forget colorful leaves. Any caregiver knows that the real signs of fall are kids with coughs, sneezes and sniffles.

Autumn marks the start of respiratory virus season, when colds, flu and other bugs start circulating — especially among the very young.

A recent study confirmed what many families intuitively know: The littlest students harbor the most germs.

Children in pre-kindergarten and elementary school showed highest rates of virus detection compared with older students and staff, according to research published in the journal Pediatrics.

“Young children can have up to 10 respiratory viruses a year as their immune systems are introduced to different infections for the first time,” said Dr. Jennifer Goldman, a pediatrician at Children’s Mercy hospital in Kansas

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