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Immune System

alyangel123
alyangel123 Posts: 41 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm around a lot of children and seem to have a terrible immune system, if they're sick I'm sick. I eat well and work out, sleep ok and take multi vitamins. What more can I do to avoid catching every cold and flu in sight? It puts a dapener on my training when I'm sick at least one week a month and it's frustrating especially when other adults/teenagers around aren't catching quite as much as I do despite being exposed.

Just wondering if anyone had any ideas!

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Wash your hands a lot. Use the 20 econd rule!
  • janab70
    janab70 Posts: 1 Member
    Maybe it's something else going on with your body. Thyroid, vit D deficiency. I have been in medical field over 15 yrs and the past 5 yrs. I was having flu cold symptoms sometimes I would never get sick then other times I would. It seemed like I stayed sick or I did not feel good body aches, very fatigued, ect.. when my vit D got very low. If you google symptoms of vitamin D deficiencies it's amazing . Good Luck
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I remember a friend that worked in a ENT office owned by her father and three brothers. She cought every cold there was for several years but then is slowed down after she had them all once. I remember hearing that you only catch the same cold once. It may be true as I don't seem to get one every year anymore. Good luck!
  • alyangel123
    alyangel123 Posts: 41 Member
    I wondered about hand sanitizer but heard it can lower your immune system? I don't know if obsessive hand washing would work considering Im whiping my own kids noses and they're getting in my face etc when it's their turn to have it lol

    Would vit d cause you to catch more? I live in a hot sunny place and it's deff a real cold as my kid's always catch it from other places first.

    And yeah this isn't where I was born so likely full of germs I've never been exposed to so that makes sense rsclause
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    Having worked with kids, washing your hands frequently is the best thing you can do. Hand sanitizer doesn't do squat. Also consume a lot of vitamin C. Whenever I got a cold, I would just scoop some powder in warm water. While it's not a cure, it definitely keeps the symptoms at bay.
  • mgalovic01
    mgalovic01 Posts: 388 Member
    You got to nip it in the butt at the first sign. Salt water gargle. The saltier the better. Neti pot with very lightly salter water. You can even do it using a water bottle. Take zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and Echinacea. Some extra virgin olive oil on a sore throat helps too.
  • Charis50
    Charis50 Posts: 181 Member
    When I worked in an elementary school, a senior teacher gave me great advice: Keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. Stay well hydrated at all times, and if your work environment is dry, use a little saline spray throughout the day to keep your nasal passages hydrated. (Not exactly sure why that last one would work, but it does.)

    Good luck!







  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    edited November 2016
    Wash hands and avoid rubbing eyes, nose, and mouth with hands.

    I have an autoimmune disease so my system is taxed. I've been sick one time in over five years. I attribute my good run to being more cautious.

    *also be well rested. A tired body seems to have a hard time defending viruses.
  • Alisonswim46
    Alisonswim46 Posts: 208 Member
    You also may want to be sure you don't have a lingering sinus infection that's not getter my better. I would go check with your doctor.
  • mike_bold
    mike_bold Posts: 140 Member
    After a really bad run of colds and assorted ailments, my local pharmacist told me a good immune system is fueled by a healthy gut. I did a course of pro-biotic pills and eat pro-biotic yogurt every day. Anecdotal evidence only, I haven't bothered to research it, but I haven't been sick or had a cold for a year. My wife, 2 kids and co-workers have been sick around me numerous times. I'm also really diligent about using hand sanitizer in the office.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    If you can't get to a basin to wash with soap and water, some kind of wipe might be as good as sanitizer which the FDA has recently said doesn't do crap anyway. Try try try not to touch your face and maybe get in the habit of using a nasal spray to keep the mucus membranes moist, they are more susceptible to junk when dry.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    MelanieCN77 wrote: »
    If you can't get to a basin to wash with soap and water, some kind of wipe might be as good as sanitizer which the FDA has recently said doesn't do crap anyway.

    Maybe you're thinking of antibacterial soap. Both the FDA & CDC approve the use of hand sanitizers:
    "FDA supports the CDC’s recommendation to use plain soap and water to wash your hands. When water is not readily available, a hand sanitizer may be a suitable alternative."
    http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm444681.htm

    Focus on the fingertips, not just the palms. And as was said, don't touch yer face. That goes for the gym, the supermarket, etc.
  • alyangel123
    alyangel123 Posts: 41 Member
    Ill for sure pick up vit c and pro biotics. Reading this has made me realize how much the kids touch my face let alone me ( I have 3 under 3 and one seems to be a cold magnet). It's frustrating because i seem to avoid it then right as they're over it, I have it. So I'm certain it's them, not the environment I'm catching it from.

    Sinus wise I have under developed sinus issues from being a preemie. Tubes in ears etc so that's probably partly it too.


    Thanks!
  • comptonelizabeth
    comptonelizabeth Posts: 1,701 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    MelanieCN77 wrote: »
    If you can't get to a basin to wash with soap and water, some kind of wipe might be as good as sanitizer which the FDA has recently said doesn't do crap anyway.

    Maybe you're thinking of antibacterial soap. Both the FDA & CDC approve the use of hand sanitizers:
    "FDA supports the CDC’s recommendation to use plain soap and water to wash your hands. When water is not readily available, a hand sanitizer may be a suitable alternative."
    http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm444681.htm

    Focus on the fingertips, not just the palms. And as was said, don't touch yer face. That goes for the gym, the supermarket, etc.

    Most hand sanitisers are anti bacterial and most bugs are viral so they're less effective than soap and water. Washing your hands (properly)doesn't actually kill the bugs but it washes them off your hands. Plus like everyone else has said,keep your hands away from your mouth,nose and eyes.
    If you're really unwell, skip working out? I've read it lowers your immunity but don't know if it's true...Lack of sleep has the same effect.
    I'm on immunosuppressant medication so have similar issues- I feel for you !
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