To be concerned about how often we are ill

[afterallthistimealwayss]

Family of 4 - me, DH and two DC age 3 and 1.

In theory all healthy - no health conditions etc, bar mild suspected asthma in my daughter.

I know you are often ill with young DC as they build up their immunity but for us it is absolutely constant. For example in the last 6 weeks we have had:

Covid
Flu (and I mean proper flu not a bad cold)
Hand, foot and mouth
Impetigo
Sickness bug

We are all completely worn out.

Me and DH both work, and oldest DC is in preschool, plus we do go to playgroups so we are going to plenty of places to catch bugs. But no one else we know seems to have things as constantly as us.

That sounds rough.

Of course your immune system is affected when you're I'll which may have made you more susceptible.

I wonder what you're doing to boost your immune system and whether you use a lot of cleaning products.

Are you always like this? Or is it just the last 6 weeks or so?

I have to say, when they go back to school in September, we are constantly fighting off bugs for a good few weeks.

Sadly it's very normal with young children. The minute they get near other kids they become germ factories.

It was like this last winter, I assumed due to lack of immunity from covid lockdowns. Then we've had a bit of a break over the summer and been hit with it again. I'm concerned that we will be like this all winter again.

We are the same in our house too. Myself, Dh, Dd4 and Dd2. It is relentless! We have have covid/colds/a viral infection - rash/temp/sickness that needed abx/ and two d+v bugs in last 6 months. Agree when the kids all mix again in Sept everything spreads again like wildfire!!
I wouldn’t stress or worry about it.

I don't have kids, but most of my friends who have them, constantly catch bugs from them. You're not alone. Might be worth taking a closer look at your sugar intake etc. as it affects your immune system too.

Are the kids at nursery? If they have had hand foot mouth, impetigo and a sickness bug, are they doing deep cleans well enough?

All of those illness can be spread very, very easily - but there should still be a good standard of infection prevention and control, particularly with the 1 year old who I think should be in their own room at nursery.

If they aren't mixing at nursery, and this is just through playgroups/library, I'd double down on the habit of washing hands before eating, sanitising surfaces and making sure everyone is rested and has a good wholesome diet.

Do you feel better when you are away from the house? Have the gas appliances been checked recently? Lots of people who feel under the weather in the winter have low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning.

I’m reading Tim Spectors new book atm and there is growing evidence that your immune system is supported by the micro biome in your gut so if you don’t have a large variety of good bacteria then that will affect your immune response and ability to fight infections.

Basic takeaways so far are ditch ultra processed foods, switch to whole foods (eg, whole meal pasta, flour etc)

The micro biome response to eating a whole apple vs drinking that same apple as a juice, is different. It’s better and more beneficial to your body to eat the whole apple.

Eat 30 different types of fruits and veg a week (this is tricky but nuts, seeds all count too).

Fermented foods kefir, kombucha, etc all great at boosting the micro biome.

it’s a fascinating book, you get a really long sample on kindle like an hours read so worth trying before buying.