Best tips to stop me catching every cold going?

[ClownsAndJokers]

What are the most effective ways to boost my immune system or prevent picking up colds and illnesses from the children who love to share their germs? I've already got a cold and would love to not catch any more!

I already wash my hands as much as possible. Is hand sanitizer effective? Do I need to wrap myself in cling film or wear gloves? Any tips welcome!

[GiraffesLikeToDance]

I'm taking vitamin c and zinc. Also just started taking bimuno. Only been a week that I've been doing it religiously so too soon to say. I'm not a ta or teacher but work in and out of various schools usually one to one with lovely pupils who like to share germs

[ClownsAndJokers]

Yeah I'm trying to eat lots of oranges for the vit c but I think I need some kind of superdose! I'll have a look at the others, thanks, I know colds and germs are just part of the job but some teachers/school staff seem not to be as effected as others and I wondered if there was a reason for that beyond normal variation in natural immunity.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Zinc!

[GiraffesLikeToDance]

I've always been a very sickly catch every cold person. I also had a traumatic childhood there's a link apparently to that and poor immune system development.

If I find the answer I'll share. But I feel your pain.

I'm trying going to bed early too. Ideally before 9 which is crazy I'm some ways but if it helps...! I'm in bed now so hopefully asleep by 10ish. I think late nights and busy days make me much more likely to get ill

[purplecollar]

Zinc - at the first sign of a cold - slight sniffle or sore throat. You're not meant to take it all the time. But it really does work to fend off or reduce the impact if you take it at the slightest sign. I take it if dh or dc have a cold. There was a BBC news article about it a few years ago. It might still be on the archive.

[maudeismyfavouritepony]

Vitamin c - lots, and as soon as you have an inkling of illness, Echinacea. Works for me and I work with children and haven't had a cold in nearly three years.

[Neeko]

Sambucol. Great stuff.

[maudeismyfavouritepony]

Get the kids to sneeze / cough in crook of their elbow, not their hand, which spreads the virus!!!

[newtlover]

wash your hands
use hot water and soap, do it thoroughly, then dry with a disposable paper towel.
do it at the end of the working day and again when you get home
don't touch your face
consider the flu vaccine

[Changerofname987654321]

Get plenty of sleep.

[Chilver]

i second maude - why parents/ caregivers teach kids to cover their mouth with their hands when they cough/ sneeze, I don't know! Those germs then get spread to every single thing that the child touches... sneeze, cough into your elbow; you don't open doors with elbows!!

[MollyHuaCha]

Book yourself in for a flu vaccine this autumn.

[CookieDoughKid]

I swear by exercise!!

[MaisyPops]

Sleep is the main one for me.I'm run down because I've tried doing term time on 11pm bed times, whcih never works (or it could also being caffeine free as we'rr TTC more seeing as not preventing for a year has failed).

Then lots of water, I don't do excessive hand washing though. i have set equipment students use and my own in my desk, students neaten tables and chairs up, nobody comes near my desk if they have germs.

A daily multivitamin and multi coloured diet.

[lula103]

Another vote for Sambucol. We take it every winter and it seems do work for my family. Usually included in the Boots 3 for 2 offers.

[Bubblesblue]

Multi vitamins always and echinacea at the first sign of a cold/ flu

[elephantoverthehill]

It's so easy, just don't go to work . Ah that might not really be a long term solution though! Therefore, may be just keep eating oranges and wash your hands properly.

[Apple23]

Echinacea tablets.
Hand washing. Wash your hands as soon as you walk into your house, before you touch anything.

[KentMum2008]

Multi vits, good diet (I like the 'multi coloured' description from another poster) plenty of water, good hand hygiene, get enough sleep. Oh and a flu jab, ASDA does it really cheap.

I'd never heard of the sliced bread experiment that a PP mentioned before. Just logged onto Facebook and this was the first thing that popped up...spooky!

www.iflscience.com/chemistry/this-teachers-neat-but-extremely-gross-experiment-for-her-students-has-gone-viral/

[lizzieoak]

When you feel it coming on, hit it hard with zinc and oil of oregano.

[MrsMooks]

Vitamin D supplement daily. Not had a full on cold for over a year since taking it.

[Chickpeabiryani]

You need to drink this regularly: Squeeze lemon into hot water then add ground clove, ground ginger and honey (preferably manuka) sometimes add some lemon squash too just for extra sweetness.

Swear DH and I haven't had a single cold in two years - DH on chemo so immune system right down. I became obsessive about staying him germ free and came up with this - seems to be working for us!

[UnFuckingAcceptable]

Vitamin Deficiency, especially now the sunshine has left us.
Echinacea supplements.
Don't overwash just don't lend any kids your pens or let them get too close, germ ridden little buggers 😉
Make sure there's a flow of fresh air in your class if possible, even when it's a little chilly.
Eat well.
Sleep well etc as many others have mentioned.

I do all of the above and still get bloody fresher flu every September but when I first started working in education I had bad colds from September to January do am making progress!

[UnFuckingAcceptable]

D
Vitamin bloody D!