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Does your sick child make you sick too?

7 replies

Earlybird · 07/06/2005 10:43

Well, in half an hour I'm off to the doctor. I have my 43rd cold/sore throat of the season (only exaggerating slightly!), and I have had enough. I have been sick more often this year (dd's first full year at school) than the past 5 years combined! I should buy shares in the companies that manufacture Day Nurse, chewable vitamin C, throat lozenges, etc.

I'd always heard that children are sick alot the first year or two that they're in full time school. Also heard that they suffer for perhaps 48 hours, and then infect the parents who suffer for 2 or 3 times that long!

Have the rest of you experienced this too? Any wonderful solutions for how to avoid every germ around? I'm sick of being sick! Help!

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Earlybird · 07/06/2005 10:54

What I tried to say (badly) in the post below is - do others experience this too? Or, should I be asking the doctor if there's something else going on with my health that is making me into a germ magnet!

And before you think it - I'm not a hypochondriac! (In fact, this is the first time I've been to my GP in 3 years.) It's just that I've been lucky to rarely be sick....so this is unpleasant and unfamiliar.

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assumedname · 07/06/2005 11:16

Take more exercise. When I was running regularly I was never ill.

Now I've damaged my knee and stopped running I tend to pick up bugs more easily.

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Earlybird · 07/06/2005 11:52

assumedname - thanks for the advice. As far as exercise, I am far from sedentary. I am active member of Mumsnet's own Pedometer Club and average 8-10,000 steps per day. I also do Pilates twice a week, ride a bicycle periodically (though not regularly), and have been doing an aerobic fitness class once a week for the past month. So, I definitely get the blood pumping, lungs working, and muscles into action.

The doctor diagnosed laryngitis (sp?), and gave me some antibiotics. He seemed to concur that Mums with young children are susceptible to more germs/illnesses. I can't wait for this phase to end! I am not a good invalid!

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Chuffed · 07/06/2005 11:58

Earlybird, when dd started nursery she brought home everything and dh and I both got them. I think until you get everything and build up an immunity to all that is going around there isn't much else you can do. dh and I both exercise loads and it hasn't really made a lot of difference to us.

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assumedname · 07/06/2005 11:59

Wow - you do a lot Earlybird!

If you're eating well - lots of fresh fruits and vegetables - then I think you should ask your GP if there's anything else going on.

It does seem that you've been ill quite a bit.

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sorrel · 07/06/2005 12:04

oh earlybird. i amcurrently at home with sore throat and temperature- so thoughtfully brought home by dd! She was off last week with same thing. Now I have it as does my dad and sister and her three kids, as we had a family meetup at the weekend.
just thought i'd post in empathy. Hope you are feeling better soon. Just think haw well we will be for the upcoming summer hols!
I don't think ther is nealy enough handwashing done in school( thats my theory anyway) and so reinfection is inevitable.