How do people not worry about catching colds / viruses?

[Cloud44]

I know this is a silly question and I never used to worry about it myself but how do people not worry about catching colds / viruses especially when there is a special occasion/ something important coming up? I seem to have no luck avoiding the germs and it’s starting to get me a bit down and I’m becoming a bit paranoid about it.

I guess it's because I can't remember the last time a cold or virus stopped me doing anything. It's rare to get that ill so I don't worry about it.

When you do have a cold or something do you just carry on? Sounds silly but I always think it will prolong it by not resting.

Yes, pretty much. We are still expected at work every day with a cold!

Yes I just carry on. I don't think it prolongs anything. I have kids and work, life can't just stop.

I have never found anything improves if I worry about it, so no point.

I work in a school, so am sharing spaces with Several hundred people every day, many of whom have questionable hand washing habits. If I worried about it I’d never be there. And actually, despite working in a germ soup, I only average one cold a year, which I can deal with using paracetamol and possibly a day or two off sick, if I’m really grim.

I work with children and rarely get colds/virus. I think the more you are exposed the better your immunity is.

I’m currently having tonsilitis for the second time in a couple of months so I think that’s why I’m over worrying.

Never ever worry about catching anything. I am very robust, just get the odd cold which I just power through. So very lucky I guess

If you don't tend to get viruses that leave you unable to do your normal activities then why would you worry? Are you unable to do your normal activities when ill or are you choosing to rest?

I don't worry about it. Most colds and viruses are mild and just slow you down bit for a few days. Not worth stressing about.

I really worry about it as I'm in the middle of chemo and catching one could kill me!
I try to avoid crowds and public transport where possible
I wasj my havdsfrequrntky. And think "covid" rules

I don't care if I catch a cold. I'd carry on as normal.

Unless you are immunosuppressed I think there is little point in worrying about whether or not you might catch a cold or virus. I have to travel a bit for work so it's kind of inevitable with trains and planes but I never let it stop me doing anything and if I do get a cold, life goes on. Dose up with some cold and flu tablets and carry on.

I totally get the anxiety, I always worry about catching a stomach bug before holidays or Christmas.

Colds and things like that don’t bother me cos I know that I could carry on with a cold, but the thought of suddenly coming down with sickness and diarrhoea panics me a lot.
I can get very anxious about it at times and really have to try not to let the anxiety take control.

I guess I choose to rest @WhatNoRaisins but the over worrying about it is driving me mad. I think I worry that I won’t be able to carry on with plans and have to let people / work down. I know I sound stupid, I realise myself it’s a stupid worry but because I don’t seem to have much luck avoiding viruses I’m not confident that I won’t get another one soon!

A cold is a bit different to tonsillitis!

Well right now my worry is this tonsilitis is going to keep coming back!

@TulipTuesday how do you manage to keep the anxiety under control?

Yes. I've never had a cold so bad that it's stopped me doing anything.

Tonsillitis is more severe than a cold and would usually warrant resting.

I’m going through chemo and not worried about catching colds or viruses. If it happens it happens but to be honest I don’t give it any thought. I’ve enough to worry about anyway.

My household has a different cold/virus every week, I have two kids going to different nurseries/schools, it's unavoidable. The only one that has ever stopped me was a stomach bug during which I was uncontrollably shitting myself for 24 hours, other than that I carry on as normal, go to work, kids go to school...etc.

I am like you OP, I hate catching them. I don't really understand how colds don't stop people doing things either. I definitely am more tired, less efficient and generally less capable when I'm ill. Plus I'll cancel on friends so as not to spread it around, which is common curtesy and my friends also do the same when they are sick.

For those of you going through chemo, Im so sorry, know my worries are stupid in the big scheme of things, they drive me mad, so you must be thinking jeez man up! sending lots of good wishes your way 😘