What can I do to protect myself from these colds?

[QuestionsorComments]

I work in school. DH died in early summer, I returned to work in Sep (probably too soon) and within days had the the mother of all colds. My body/brain didn't seem to be able to cope with that on top of everything else so I ended up having a few more weeks off, then phased return leading up to Christmas.

Back in Jan and within a fortnight another awful cold. Not just sniffles. Ears and throat agony, barking cough, streaming nose and now conjunctivitis.

It's getting embarrassing, as soon as I return I'm off again.

I know schools are full of germs and am cautious with hygiene routinely, but I never usually suffer like this. I'm assuming it's because I'm generally "low". What can I do to build myself up?

Have you tried vitamin c and zinc? Or another called sambucol? They should be good for building immune system.
Sorry for your loss

Fasting for a couple of days can help clear up a cold. Google "autophagy".

Plus all the general health things like supplements as above, sleep, lots of fresh veg and fruit. Hard when you're grieving, and I am sorry for your loss.

So sorry for your loss op
I’m sure you’ve thought of these things but I would recommend:
Make sure you get enough sleep
gentle exercise
lots of fresh fruit & veg
Eat enough protein in your diet
A good quality vitamin
Make sure you get enough ‘good’ bacteria (you can buy pre/probiotic supplements)
Drinking enough fluids throughout the day
Good hand hygiene
Some sort of meditation / mindfulness / yoga to help you relax.

I am so sorry for your loss, sending you hugs.
I had an awful cold last year and am trying to reduce the chances of catching one similar. I take a multi vitamin every day as well as high strength zinc - Dr Michael Mosely recommends that as better than vitamin C at protection against colds.

Take a good supplement like Floradix every day. The tonic really helps me when I'm run down. Grief decimates your immune system, it's really important to heal physically as well as mentally.

When my son died, I ploughed on regardless for around a year then wham..... hit the deck with tonsillitis and took around 6 months to fully recover. Go easy on yourself

I already take Floradix and Berrocca, eat well, lots of fruit and veg. Regular gentle exercise but nothing too extreme. I'm a bit concerned I'm overdoing the supplements already, but maybe should add some zinc.

To add to the others I would suggest taking a bit d3 supplement especially at this time of year when we can't get it easily from the sun.
Look after yourself and take time for you

*vitamin not bit

Are you getting plenty of fresh air and sunlight? You need about 20 mins a day to get your Vit D naturally plus it should help drainage in your lymphatic system.
Is it draughty where you sit in work?
Are you travelling to work on public transport?
Give the desk a good clean when you go in especially the telephone and key board as they can be manky.
Bring in your own food from home, avoid shops if you can and wear a mask as much as possible. Change your clothes and have a hot bath/ shower as soon as you get home. Boil wash the work clothes.
I’d also suggest a bit of Vicks under your nostrils if you can bear it as it clears your sinuses where the germs love to breed.

@Webbing

Are you getting plenty of fresh air and sunlight? You need about 20 mins a day to get your Vit D naturally plus it should help drainage in your lymphatic system. Is it draughty where you sit in work? Are you travelling to work on public transport? Give the desk a good clean when you go in especially the telephone and key board as they can be manky. Bring in your own food from home, avoid shops if you can and wear a mask as much as possible. Change your clothes and have a hot bath/ shower as soon as you get home. Boil wash the work clothes. I’d also suggest a bit of Vicks under your nostrils if you can bear it as it clears your sinuses where the germs love to breed.

Yes, until the cold hit, as part of taking care of my "wellbeing" I'd been making a point of at least an hour's walk at mid day every day,, longer at weekends

Perhaps I can do better with the cleaning regime.

I really have tried to look after myself

Ah you poor divil of course you have. not trying to put any blame on you at all.
just giving a few suggestions from back in the day when we had kids in crèche and either I or they were constantly running a cold. Ditching their clothes at the front door and onto the bath and pjs straight away was a game changer. Working in a school is a Petri dish and you’ve got to rebuild back your immune resistance. Be well