Where do all these viruses come from?

[PistachioTiramisu]

Had Covid last July followed by 3 colds before Christmas, and then that horrid virus which did the rounds at Christmas, from which I have only just recovered. Husband came home on Tuesday sniffing and coughing and lo and behold, 3 days later, I have caught yet another cold! Totally, totally fed up with it. Has anyone else been similarly afflicted?

I have. I had a horrid fever and cough like I never had before, which started over Christmas and carried on towards mid Jan, and was given two rounds of antibiotics. I tried to be very careful, took a bunch of supplements to get the immune system back up, and yesterday, felt a burning sensation in my throat. DP has a gentle sniffle which I don’t pay attention to, but it’s clearly that, except I’ve got a horrid throat. So sick AGAIN.

I think I’m tracking your pattern @PistachioTiramisu!!

Yea I'm absolutely fed up with it we have all been ill with one thing or another since the beginning of January! I've had tonsillitis that really awful flu a cold and now a sinus infection! I've been coughing since January I've never felt so tired I'm just loving life right now 🙁

Norovirus currently spreading through six members of the household. DH is the last one to catch it. We have hardly been out anywhere. I felt like I was dying when I caught it at the start of the week. The vomiting just kept going. Even bringing up bile which has never happened to me before. It's not been a great start to 2026 tbh.

Hope you feel better soon OP 💕

Horrible when it’s like that

When you get one I think your system is run down a little and unless you take time to get better - rest and more rest and sleep- , eat really well ( veggies when you are exhausted an want a takeaway ) and take vit D you get in a cycle

resting is something we are bad at - “it’s just a cold , I have to get on with things “
and look after your lungs - skip the wood burners and air fresheners and smell laundry and avoid buys roads and traffic fines

I haven't had anything this winter (touch wood).

I think it's because I live in a medium sized town and haven't left the house much except to go on walks outdoors or a bit of shopping, see friends in their houses. I haven't been to any big social events. My child is out of primary school (a big source of bugs!). I haven't been on any trains or been in a crowd at any point.

Do you live in a large town/city OP? Do you or your husband work in a big office or get the train?

I live outside a (small) town which I only really visit for food shopping and try to distance myself from other people. Neither I nor DH work in an office or take the train so can't be that! He does have a colleague who seems to get everything going so maybe that's the answer! It's just so annoying when you have stuff to do!

It's the germy colleague!

Conversely I think it is "i don't leave the house much or get public transport" which is the issue. You need constantly expose yourself to the outside and people. I live in London and use public transport all the time. We are always out and about in all weathera. Barely had a cold since covid

Same thinking behind the fact farm kids (of which I am one) have more robust immune systems and fewer allergies.

Yes! Us too one thing after another this winter it seems. Lots of it going round.

Thought I was getting better two days ago but sore throat again yesterday and this morning.

It's horrid but it will pass. It was like this before lock down, it's basically just back to normal.

I’ve been the same this year. I came down with a nasty bug in September (probably COVID), and I’ve had back-to-back colds since, including one fluey thing that put me in bed for days. I can’t even count them because I don’t know when one finishes and another one starts.

Last year I didn’t catch a single virus all winter. Roll on spring!

Look at ways to boost your immune system. It will help

Same here, one bug after another and they seem to be so much worse this year.

I think we need some really cold weather to kill all the germs (or is that an old wives' tale?)

Prebiotics and probiotics, eat well, exercise and mix with others. Sounds as though COVID weakened your immune system.

Don't people bother with basic things like disinfecting their hands any more?

Are people still testing for COVID?

Yes, if you don't want to spread it to vulnerable period around you.

No judgement, I just honestly don't know anyone that is anymore.
My mom is in a care home, I just don't go and visit if I have any cold / flu type symptoms.
I do sometimes wonder if the illnesses we have are covid, I guess some are. I'd just treat them the same though tbh