Are winter bugs worse now, or is it just me?

[Proteinpudding]

Sorry I know this isn't much of an AIBU!

I've just gone back to work after 5 days off with a virus - cold type symptoms, but bad enough that I couldn't get out of bed for a few days. Ear ache/headache/sore throat, swollen glands, chills etc. I've always been susceptible to respiratory viruses more than most (eg if there's a cold going round the office I'll get it and take longer to get rid) but I don't have any significant health issues that would affect me particularly.

Logging my sickness on my timesheet and realised I had similar around this time last year, I had three separate periods of 4-5 days off last winter. In the preceding years I'd rarely had to take any time off sick at all, maybe a day with the worst of a cold, but never a week.

I had heard that cold type illnesses could be worse after people being in lockdowns, but has anyone else experienced this?

NB this is not a dig at anyone who has regular time off - we're all different - I'm just a little confused as I'm someone who has been lucky enough to rarely worry about being ill, and I now I feel like I'm taking time off quite regularly.

I've got a horrible cold at the moment. I don't even know where it has come from but it just won't get better!!! Not covid.

I had a horrible cold last winter over Xmas too- proper knocked me out.

As pp have said a cold used to be like 2 days then back to it. Don't know what's happened

Could be stress of the last 2 years

I blame the vaccines. I was robustly and rudely healthy before having 3 of them.

Now I catch everything going and can't shift it. I've had an upper airway infection for about 2 weeks now and I'm no better than the day I came down with it. I feel run down, miserable and am dreading winter.

https://youtube.com/shorts/id_7VVoJI2Y?feature=share

@lightand

I work with animals, always have so I suspect that may have something to do with it as I'm regularly exposed to zoonotic diseases.
Other than that I did start taking vit D supplements regularly about 3 or 4 years ago, plus a multivit and probiotics.

Same here. I've had 4/5 colds this year. Everyone has taken me weeks to shake off. Left feeling so run down and tired.

I had chemotherapy in 2020 during covid, but I'm sure my immune system would have bounced back by now. I'm so sick of feeling crap all the time.

I wonder if we’ve forgotten just how awful a heavy cold can be. I spent a couple of years without one.

I’m also properly middle aged now so probably feel worse every time I catch anything.

I'm feeling really bad at the moment and have been signed off from work. on antibiotics

Similar symptoms to OP

Feeling really guilty as the culture seems to be going to work when sick

I feel like I am tempting fate but no. I haven't had anything more than a sniffle since March 2020. Haven't had covid, haven't had any bugs at all really neither have dh and the kids. Oh and we are all vaccinated.

I think you're right, OP.

Any actual peer reviewed science to back this up?

Having spent the week from hell with DCs being sick and then myself, I agree.

Its been sniffles and bugs since they went back to school. Even the school has sent a text around saying many staff are off with illnesses right now.