To not know how to boost my immune system

[Dishwashersaurous]

So I’ve got another cold. Really horrendous snot, headache, swollen eyes, excruciatingly sore ears and cough ( no temperature just a cold not COVID).

This is about the sixth bug that I have caught this year and I basically haven’t been well all year.

I eat healthy, minimal alcohol, moderate exercise in the fresh air when not ill.

Wfh so no commuting.

Wear masks when in shops.

Wash hands all the time.

Yet keep on getting ill. What more can I do to boost my immune system as I am fed up

What do you eat? If you eat a diet rich in fruit and veg and you make good, wholesome, homemade food then that together with fresh air and exercise should mean you have a decent immune system, unless of course you have an underlying condition that affects it. I eat an orange a day too in winter for the Vit C and I take Vit D, because of the reduced sunlight. If you eat crap though - lots of takeaways, ready meals, etc, that's probably your answer right there.

Also, not enough sleep can damage your immune system. You should aim for 7-8 hours a night, every night.

More sleep
Less stress
Balanced diet
Fresh air
Exercise

See I do all of this.

Minimum eight hours sleep a night always at five portions fruit and veg. Only have whole grains . No take aways. Take multi vitamins and a vitamin d.

I’m doing everything I’m supposed to and still keep on getting ill

How are your stress levels? Do you have small children (aka germ factories)?

When I’ve been repeatedly ill in the past those have been the culprits. Or sometimes it’s because I’ve had one thing and not fully recovered and then just keep on picking up everything that’s going round.

Increase sleep, try mindfulness to decrease stress, make sure you get enough vitamin c and vitamin d. You could also check iron levels.

Honestly though some years are just unlucky. I had a terrible year for bugs just after moving house (perhaps stress related). Every month I'd be in bed for a few days with a horrible bug. Had to have antibiotics to get rid of tonsilitis. Constant colds too. A few tummy bugs. Then it just sort of got better.

Stress has a massive negative impact on my immune system.

Have you had a well woman type blood test? Could you do one privately if your gp can’t sort one for you?

'Boosting' an immune system is nonsense, whilst things can lower your immunity you immune system is either working normally or bellow par.

If your immune system is working above normal then you have an an autoimmune condition.

Symptoms of illness are often your immune system working. As you have no temperature are you sure it is not an allergy?

Have you had any tests at the GP?

I'd be wondering about thyroid function and allergy testing.

Chronic sinusitis?

Stress has a major impact on the immune system and the whole body. Stress can come in many forms, not getting enough quality sleep, high intensity / endurance exercise, not enough exercise, poor diet, anxious thoughts, and so much more can cause a stress response in the body. Have a look at a book named The Cortisol Connection. Very interesting, well worth a read. I would first get some echinacea and take for couple of weeks to boost your protection.

This used to be me

I’d also wonder if it’s sinusitis recurring and do you need a course of antibiotics

Are you cleaning your masks properly or using disposable- they carry bacteria

Wash hands often

Take allicin
Take oil of oregano

Those two have spared me from the office cold when I’ve been surrounded by it. I also use a nasal rinse - Sterimar - after coming back from office, Tube etc and rinse your throat

This is all pre covid

I used to have about six colds a year and trying to tackle it through diet was useless. These measures helped. No kids though.

cough ( no temperature just a cold not COVID)

If you have ANY of the symptoms you need to get a test.

Hope you feel better soon. 💐

What’s a well woman blood test?

GP did standard blood tests couple of months ago- all normal

Cough not continuous- only when I lie down and the mucus drops

What dose vitamin D do you take?

What you are describing was my sinusitis. It somehow moved onto chest too. Though I had horrendous fevers with it (as with any illness🙄).

Mask won't help. A warm headband over the firehead would.

What does vit D do you take?

Forehead 😂

@Dishwashersaurous

What’s a well woman blood test?

GP did standard blood tests couple of months ago- all normal

Cough not continuous- only when I lie down and the mucus drops

Is that a post nasal drip cough? Sounds like a case for antibiotics

Btw I had no colds in 2019 and one in 2018.

Nothing this year but that doesn’t count really.

*dose

Oh and it all stopped after I had antibiotics for something else🤷🏻 After years of having it every 3 months🙄

Have you had a Covid test? I have exactly these symptoms, and I generally suffer a stinking head cold most tears about this time.
I received a positive Covid result 2 days ago. I’ve had no temp.

If you have small children (which I assume you do, give you’re not exposing yourself to any other source of germs), it’s inevitable. If not, could it actually be allergies? Or are you underweight?

Small children- all of whom are really healthy!

Don’t think I’m allergic.

Just feel really ill

And bog standard weight for height etc