The constant runny nose/cold thing can't be 'normal' though - surely it's because kids are in together with other kids with runny noses that they all stay sick all the time? I appreciate it's a tough situation to be in when you're working and there are no other options. It's not good, though.
My kids get runny noses with hayfever.. I have had this diagnosed by both GP, and allergy specialist. I think this is where others need to be trusting the parent of that child. I am sure some people think my kids are constantly sick cause they have cold like symptoms a lot, but unless I go through the unpleasantness of making them immune to the grass pollens (which is a long stage of injecting the pollen into them, which I will not do at this age), I can't stop it.

Last time I took a day off it cost me in excess of $200 (loss of casual work hrs, daycare, and drs visit), and if my kids are genuinely sick (not just because someone assumes they are cause they have a runny nose) I will give through that money away again.