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Original poster

Viruses this year

15 replies

bigpawsjames · 17/12/2023 17:22

I am in a really crap situation and I'm not sure if it's just a post lockdown thing.

I'm 38, with a 13m old. When I was 21-24 I suffered very badly with ME, was bedbound and then in a wheelchair, but now regard myself as 100% recovered. I work a lot, can exercise, unlimited energy really except that colds would often floor me. Not always, but often, fatigue symptoms would come back and I'd have a few days off. Luckily I didn't get loads.

I now have a 13m old and he is picking up everything. I have tried to mitigate it where possible - we have a nanny instead of nursery - but I am on the verge of being sacked. Since September we have had flu (influenza A) and I had 14 days off, then Covid and I had 15 days off. Then two colds that have now brought the Covid symptoms back. Then noro.

I just don't know what to do. The respite from illnesses is so short that it is essentially like having ME again. I can't parent when I'm floored like this so my husband is taking the time off too but that can't continue indefinitely either.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there anything that helped to even cut the number of illnesses by a bit? Diet?

OP posts:
ANightingale · 17/12/2023 17:26

It has been bad this year - I have had three in a row since October, similar to you - some kind of cold, then Covid, then a stomach thing. I've spoken to lots at work who are saying similar. I chug vitamin drinks like mad and take supplements but it hasn't stopped me succumbing.

Imagwine · 17/12/2023 17:33

Would getting a doctors note saying that it’s all related to a previous illness work? So they have to make reasonable adjustments and cut you some slack? Worth a try?

ANightingale · 17/12/2023 17:34

Re. 'on the verge of being sacked' you need to get occupational health involved and talk to them about your history of ME. You may need to request a reasonable adjustment around attendance expectation. Is working from home an option? I don't have children and my DH is retired - everything I picked up, I picked up in the office.

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Original poster
bigpawsjames · 17/12/2023 17:40

The problem is even though it is a disability under the equality act, I actually can't really do my job at all. So the adjustments only have to be reasonable which doesn't extend to just paying me sick pay all of the time. I'm just telling myself it's an exceptionally bad winter, but is it?!

OP posts:
Original poster
bigpawsjames · 17/12/2023 22:44

Anyone more ill this year than previously?

OP posts:
Eastbourneultimatum · 18/12/2023 00:31

I really do think this is an exceptionally bad winter. Or at least, I hope it is! We’ve been floored by virus after virus since term started back in September, it has been so bad.

Also agree with you OP, ours have been flu, sickness bugs etc that require days/a week off school and work. I don’t have any advice unfortunately but wanted to offer some solidarity. Am so frazzled and run down right now! And I don’t think my DH has ever had so many sick days in such a short time..! 😵‍💫

MoonlightMemories · 18/12/2023 02:13

bigpawsjames · 17/12/2023 22:44

Anyone more ill this year than previously?

This has definitely been the case for me - have worked at my current place for 10+ years and this year is the first time ever that I'm under monitoring for my level of sickness (long lasting and really rough viral chest/sinus infections, sickness bugs, an injury etc) even though my job entails me working around sick people all day and is often highly stressful, which can further increase your risk of catching something and then having a harder time recovering when you do get ill.

You can't exactly just magically stop yourself catching bugs, can you? I'm a handwashing fanatic and still kept picking things up somehow.

MadisonAvenue · 18/12/2023 02:28

bigpawsjames · 17/12/2023 22:44

Anyone more ill this year than previously?

Yes, I’ve had five colds since Easter. I usually maybe just get one a year.

Recently I had one at the start of November which lasted two weeks and left a lingering cough and then came down with another last weekend which absolutely floored me last week.

WhatTheFuk · 18/12/2023 03:35

Good quality respirator masks, worn properly help prevent a lot of these infections.

MoonlightMemories · 18/12/2023 04:16

WhatTheFuk · 18/12/2023 03:35

Good quality respirator masks, worn properly help prevent a lot of these infections.

If you're talking about things like FFP2/3 masks, yes they often do, however they can be quite uncomfortable/hot to wear for significant periods of time and can also make communicating with others quite difficult sometimes.

autienotnaughty · 18/12/2023 06:59

I'm on my third cold since oct. I got a weeks respite since the last one. I work part time so managed to only have two days off so far.

bluestar100 · 05/04/2024 22:28

I'm a bit late to this thread but I'm getting desperate. I have a 5 year old and a 7 year old and since January there has not been a full week that one of us hasn't come down with something. It's been impossible to do any thing, work has been really tough to maintain and my kids are barely in school. What is going on!! Any one else feel like this?!

Whataretalkingabout · 05/04/2024 22:36

@MadisonAvenue , 5 colds since Easter ? Come on, that is a slight exaggeration!!

Whataretalkingabout · 05/04/2024 22:38

Ahhhh, @bluestar100 , this is an old thread!! ;)

bluestar100 · 08/04/2024 18:06

Whataretalkingabout · 05/04/2024 22:36

@MadisonAvenue , 5 colds since Easter ? Come on, that is a slight exaggeration!!

At least I'm not the only one!

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