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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you manage to avoid most colds/bugs what’s your secret?!

128 replies

C1239 · 11/06/2022 14:13

If you hardly ever catch a cold or bug what’s your secret to having a good immune system and staying healthy?!

OP posts:
coffeecupsandfairylights · 11/06/2022 18:31

I can't remember the last time I was unwell.

Our house is always clean and tidy.
I'm not being overly obsessed with hand-washing and don't do the MN thing of seemingly washing your hands after every single activity.
I work outdoors in all weathers, and and regularly come home muddy and sweaty.
I also work with animals and their associated muck everyday.
We have multiple animals and all of them are allowed everywhere - in the bed, on the furniture etc.
I never use hand gel or anything like that out in public.
We don't have DC, though, which probably helps!

danadas · 11/06/2022 18:37

Probably a mixture of luck and exposure.

I have an unhealthy lifestyle and an auto-immune condition (although I was diagnosed by accident and have no symptoms of that)

However, I grew up around horses, stables and farms and have lots of animals now so probably constant exposure.

housemaus · 11/06/2022 18:41

Mostly luck, because my diet is terrible and I don't exercise.

But I do take vitamin D every day mid-August to May and I don't socialise much so less chance to catch things I guess?

RubbishDay · 11/06/2022 18:44

I am not obsessive about hand washing etc and think being exposed to bugs is actually a good thing.

My DH tries to avoids bugs at all costs.

Guess which one picks up the most colds?...

It isn't me 😁

PinkBuffalo · 11/06/2022 18:45

I not have kids which makes a huge difference as no one bringing germs home!
I also not tend to get close to anyone generally
having said that I do still occasionally get the odd cold but nothing like my colleagues with kids who get them constantly

BaaCake · 11/06/2022 18:46

Vit D and C

Arenanewbie · 11/06/2022 18:55

it’s due to genetics, people are fooling themselves thinking otherwise. I grew up in a dirty house, ate very simple food with lots of onion and garlic, vegs and fruits were homegrown and seasonal, pets as long as I remember myself, washing fruits from the tree was unheard of . I don’t smoke and drink in moderation, eat fruits and vegs and so on. I pick up every virus near by all my life, I have allergy to pets hair and fur ( developed in my 20s) and lots of other health issues.

DolphinaPD · 11/06/2022 18:56

I'm not a hygiene freak.

A bit of dirt is good for us.

BadAtMaths2 · 11/06/2022 18:56

autienotnaughty · 11/06/2022 14:15

Following for ideas but I suspect, no children/not working with children and regular hand washing!!

This.

soberfabulous · 11/06/2022 19:02

I take a lot of vitamins which people scoff at but I haven't had a cold in at least 15 years.

At the slightest hint of a sniff or if DD has one we all take echinacea.

I take a lot of vitamin c too.

I workout 3 times a week, been vegetarian for 33 years and don't drink. I really prioritize my meant and physical health. Meditate, practice mindfulness and gratitude.

I am never ever ill.

I turn 46 next week so maybe the wheels will fall of then.

soberfabulous · 11/06/2022 19:05

This book is eye opening and life changing.

www.amazon.co.uk/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115

jgjgjgjgjg · 11/06/2022 19:41

I'm very rarely ill and my eldest teen seems to be the same. I dont remember him having a cold or sore throat since he was a toddler. Very odd. We are both introverts and naturally kept a distance from others even before covid. We take multivitamins and fish oils every day but aren't in the slightest bit fussy about hygiene or cleaning.

Jules912 · 11/06/2022 20:02

I used to think I had a brilliant immune system, rarely ill, didn't have a day off work in 7 years. Then I had children.

MeanderingGently · 11/06/2022 20:10

I used to get really bad colds and tummy bugs all the time....it isn't necessarily true that if you expose yourself to a bit of dirt and plenty of germs, you'll build immunity. I never did, despite a lifetime of exposure.

However, I have stopped getting colds and other illnesses during the last few years. That's because I am now fanatical about hand washing, disinfecting, still wear a mask (and gloves at times). I no longer work with children/education and instead, work in a job where generally I don't interact with people much. I don't like hugging and kissing and COVID helped, I can now keep my distance and blame it on COVID. I take vitamin tablets and have just started having the flu jab in the last few years, I'm sure it helps keeping colds away too. Great result!

User3456 · 11/06/2022 20:10

I do take vitamins, try and eat a balanced diet and include onions and garlic.
But toppest tip now for avoiding bugs has to be a decent mask. Plus HEPA filters. I haven't had a cold since Feb 2020.

ArtVandalay · 11/06/2022 20:37

I only wore a mask when it was mandated. Still no colds.

givethatWolfAbanana · 11/06/2022 21:33

Spending as much time as possible outside

Don't hang out with snotty kids

Don't use public transport

Momicrone · 11/06/2022 21:36

I have children, I use public transport, I am not obsessed with hand washing, rarely ill

DickVanDyke26 · 11/06/2022 21:55

Tbh I honestly don't know. I hardly ever get them but I do get tired a lot. I haven't had covid either and I work in a school. My blood type is O Negative.

ZekeZeke · 11/06/2022 22:00

I am ALWAYS hot.
I don't wear hats or scarves. I went to Iceland, didn't wear a hat.
I do not own a coat. I am not joking.
I bought a ski jacket for Iceland.

I'm vegan. I am a neat freak, always cleaning a lite ocd when it comes to hygiene.
I don't drink or smoke. Eat 2 oranges each day.

I work in an air conditioned office, colds and bugs are passed from Billy to Jack, not me.

ZekeZeke · 11/06/2022 22:00

Oh and I haven't had COVID

spagbog5 · 11/06/2022 22:10

Work in a pharmacy
Constant exposure to germs makes you very resistant it appears

HelenHywater · 11/06/2022 22:39

I don't get colds or other illnesses either. No secret, as I don't take loads of vitamins or eat hugely healthily. (although I don't eat unhealthily either). I'm quite relaxed about germs. I never get stomach bugs abroad. I just think I have a strong constitution.

I did read that there is a connection between people who don't get colds and those who haven't had covid. (I haven't had covid despite my children having it several times). (I may have spoken too soon there).

justasking111 · 11/06/2022 23:00

Tend to cook from scratch. Never wash salad stuff. Bleach for the loo once a week, bleach on bath sealant when it goes black. Soap only where needed when showering, towels used for a week. We had a dodgy septic tank for many years so chemicals strictly rationed. House quite cold no radiator used in bedroom, put a jumper on if you're cold, rugs on sofa, windows open.

OH caught things from kids, now grandchildren I appear immune. There was a theory covid wise that smokers didn't get covid as easily, ditto spectacle wearers. I used to smoke now vape wear glasses all the time. Dogs and cats here

I do have allergies so need antihistamines and inhaler maybe that helps. My mother is the same, so perhaps genetic

seaUrchinOne · 11/06/2022 23:09

When I was a child I had many streaming colds and some were quite severe, flu like, as an adult from 30s onwards, I rarely get them in fact, it must of been at least 15 years since I got a bad cold, I once read somewhere, once you've had about 100 colds you get immune. I wash my hands a lot too.