to think some people grneically are more prone to illness

[toriuk]

I usually get sick quite often, always have.

I'm currently struggling at home and just cancelled meeting a friend tomorrow as I've got the flu. She replied back saying hope I get well and she goes to work even when she las the flu. Ffs that is not the flu, it took me hours to get the energy together to get out of bed to go to the toilet today!

[FunkyBoldRibena]

Yeah, I agree with you there! If you can go to work, it is not the flu.

I was wiped out for a fortnight when I had it.

I have to make huge efforts to avoid it otherwise it can take weeks to get back on track. Make sure you get lots of rest, hot water bottles are good.

[toriuk]

Thanks sorry my post is all over the place. Haven't had flu in ages forgot how bad it was. I can't help but keep sighing

[SeattleGraceMercyDeath]

I have a friend who is 'ill' at least once a week. Drives me mad tbh. I just don't see how - pre existing illness/disability excluded - a healthy 30 something woman has to take to her bed once a week with various ailments. Her mother comes and cares for her kids whilst she languishes in bed!

[ReallyTired]

I'm sorry you are ill and wish you a speedy recovery.

I think that some people are best with a better immune system than others. I am not sure what role genetics/ diet/ breastfeeding/ enviroment in childhood has in developing a really good immune system.

I think your friend is lucky that she doesn't know what flu is.

[toriuk]

Thanks, I'm not ill once a week. But I do usually have 10-15 sick days a year that I know is a lot :(

[SeattleGraceMercyDeath]

I forgot the point of my post, so yeah my friend who is always ill uses being ill a lot to cancel plans. I've been known to get a bit snarky with her (she's my best mate so this aside she's an ace person and we can be snarky with each other and it's ok) when she cancels on me again because she has a 'migraine' - always a migraine never a headache - or 'feels sick'. So if you as you say are always ill she might have just been having a bit of a rolly eyed moment to herself that came out in her text to you.

[ARGHtoAHHH]

I get sick really easily too. I always seem to catch something just before my period.

It's shit.

[furcoatbigknickers]

I'm the same toruik Not ill once a week but more than most. I discovered I have an auto immune problem 4 yearsago but I don't think thats got anything to do with it.

[furcoatbigknickers]

Its crap and worse when other people don't understand.

[ReallyTired]

I think that mental illness (ie. stress, anxiety, depression) can play havoc with the immune system either making it over active and cause ezcema or underactive so that the person catches every bug going.

[novemberblue]

I had flu once and went into work. Everyone kept saying it's not flu as you're up.

The next day I was admitted to hospital so it IS possible, I think it's because I always got sent into school by my mum and dad even if I was ill and I'm not very good at recognising when I'm poorly.

[poolomoomon]

Hmm, a genetically bad immune system... I'm not sure if that's a thing. There are ways you can weaken your immune system yourself though- smoking, poor diet especially with lack of vitamin c and d, poor hygiene etc etc. If I were getting sick quite often I reckon a trip to the doctors would be in order to rule anything underlying out.

[namioexchangio]

I do believe that some people get ill more often than others. Certainly some people have regular debilitating migraines, and others catch every bug going - can be CVID, or Common Variable Immunodeficiency or some other primary immunodeficiency which can take years or decades to diagnose. Not everyone taking lots of sick leave is a slacker!

I hope you feel better soon OP. My Mum has flu at the moment too - is it going around generally?

[toriuk]

Very true about mental illness, sadly these days mental problems are common, 1 in 4 each year as they say.

So glad I didn't force myself to drive for an hour into work. I would of had to find somewhere to lye down and god knows how I would of got home.

[Drquin]

Some folk on the face of it do seem to be ill more than others (again, excluding long-term stuff etc). My sister is fitter than me, weighs much less than me etc etc but traditionally gets everything going, whereas I don't.

Having said that, I do think some folk make more of a point of telling others they're ill. I probably am "Ill" .... Cold, flu, tummy bug, headache .... an average amount. But I don't (think) make a point of texting my mate / mother etc just to say "ooh I'm poorly" unlike some folk I know!

[toriuk]

Did anyone see that panorama about c sections and immunity? That made a lot of sense

[namioexchangio]

and, yes, CVID is thought to be due to genetics (not yet identified) so you can have a genetically weak immune system, as I understand it, even if you live the healthiest lifestyle.

[AntsMarching]

There is such a thing as a genetically bad immune system. I have it, it's called cyclical neutropenia. Every three weeks, my immune system crashes to almost non-existent, at which point I'm very susceptible to catching viruses. I was born with it, it has passed down through my dad's side of the family. It can be fatal but I am lucky to have a mild version of it.

[Drquin]

Should have added - I only mean in the sense that "statistics" can portray anything, a higher rate of anything can be a higher reporting rate or a higher incidence rate, or a combination!

[MrsPiggie]

Yes, some people are ill more often. I'm hardly ever ill, I did get the flu a few times in my life and I might get a cold a year (still able to work through it). My DH suffers with migraines, picks up every stomach bug the kids bring home, few colds a year. He leads a healthier lifestyle than me (healthier weight, no junk, exercises more). He puts it down to childhood neglect, but who knows what the reason is.

[slanleat]

I think you can be blessed with a strong immune system. I am hardly ever sick - could possibly get a strange one day cold type of thing about once every winter.

I did have the flu once - was ill for two full weeks with it and about as long again really getting over it - that was 16 years ago. So would be inclined to agree that if you really do have the flu you don't be able to go into work. Nor should you - going in and infecting everyone else.

[juneau]

If you're this prone to illness why don't you get a flu jab????

[toriuk]

I used to get a flu jab, but it always give me mild flu that took months to get rid of

[GuybrushThreepwoodMP]

Could be true. Depends on lifestyle though. I get ill lots at this time of year due to child being at nursery.
Probably worth making sure you are taking every precaution (flu jab, eating well, getting enough sleep, keeping hands clean etc) rather than just assuming that some people are prone to it and that's it.

[Minerves]

used to get a flu jab, but it always give me mild flu that took months to get rid of

no, it did not. maybe you have a reaction to the flu jab components but it cannot give you flu because the flu jab only has dead virus in it