For you to tell me your secret for warding off colds/flu illnesses etc ??

[getmesomewater]

For months I get one a cold or chest infecthon am well for a week then bam puck up something else ! I must have a awful immune system!! Apart from the norm diet, exercise & everyday hygiene... what do you do to ward off being ill? ?

Frequent handwashing

If I feel a cold starting, I take a few allicin pills through the day, that stuff is great. Also one oregano oil capsule.

Elderberry syrup - not the ones full of sugar, pukka or make your own.

First defence when going out or at first sign of a cold. Plus Echinacea.

Depends. If you mean flu flu, I get the annual shot. For colds, nothing systematic. If one is coming on, there's some actual evidence to a megadose of zinc right at the beginning (but no good data as a prophylactic.) In addition at that stage, netipot and gargling with annual disinfectant, plus an overnight sweat cure. If I'm able to, I also try to get some daytime rest that day. Maybe a bit self-indulgent, but helps me prevent an actual outbreak most of the time which would bring my effectiveness down much worse and for more days.

I wash my hands frequently with hot water and soap.
Early nights as soon as I get a hint of feeling run down.
Multivitamin daily.
Try and drink a herbal or green tea more often than caffeine.
Generally, don’t get too physically close to people I don’t see frequently.

Avoid the general public! To be fair I was doing pretty well and haven't had too many bugs this year but something has hit me the last few days. I think diet is important - not necessarily being a health nut but eating things that agree with you and eating in moderation. Xmas food (treats - I'm sure turkey and veg is not the culprit) is awful for me - milk chocolate, cheese, wine - I'm sure that's why I'm ill as I've upset the status quo. Same maybe applies to emotional stress - throws you off balance and then you end up physically ill too.

Watching with interest.
From observation this time around I’m sure alcohol has helped keep me ill, plus dairy seems to make me more muchous-y.
I’d forgotten about First Defence.
I can’t find NightNurse anywhere - tried three places and they’d all run out.

Anyone got any tips on how to get rid of a cold? DP and I have been under the weather for weeks now.

I stopped working in a school and have just had my first cold in 5 years. Not much help to you I'm afraid.
I would say, varied diet and hand washing.

Never going outside even to the dustbins with wet hair.
Having a regular sauna, usually around once a week.

Wash my hands when getting home

Wear a mask on public transport/when food shopping

Use Coldzyme and Sambucol after being around sick people/at first hint of illness

Hand washing, not hugging and masks on public transport or in shops all help.

Not having kids who cough all over you is a good start. 😭 Don't be a social butterfly. And finally just don't leave the house, there's no other way.

I never get ill, don't get colds, haven't had covid and can't remember the last time I had flu. I drink, don't eat particularly healthily, don't take any supplements. I have kids in the house, I use public transport, I go to pubs. I don't wash my hands all the time. There's no logic.

I work with children. I think I caught all their bugs in the early days, 20+ years ago. I’m exposed to all kinds daily! I also don’t have children so no bringing germs home from nursery/school.

i was a sickly child with antibiotics all the time but I rarely get ill. I haven’t had any antibiotics in decades I’ve had covid once and one cold/cough virus in about 4 years. I can sometimes feel like I’m fighting and illness like a mild sore throat or a tickle in my nose which never turns into anything or makes me ill:

I really try with nutrition so lots of veg, fruit, nuts etc. I exercise regularly and get fresh air on walks. Just try to look after myself really. No smoking and a little alcohol but mostly a couple of drinks on a weekend day off. Good hand hygiene.

I never used to get ill, despite commuting into London on packed trains. However, since having a child I get ill ALL the time. He brings so many bugs home from nursery, and given that I'm looking after him, it seems impossible to avoid them and I must always get a very high viral load.

I look forward to when he's had all the bugs. It surely can't be long now.

Echinacea as soon as you have an inkling that a cold is coming

I was one of those that never got colds etc.

but this year my god it has really got me. Weeks of coughing, and every symptom going. It’s endless.

Gargle with salt water twice daily when I feel that first tickle, out after being in a busy indoor place/on public transport. Also saline nasal spray.

High strength vitamin D3

No sugar, no alcohol, no smoking.

Good handwashing. Not touching face unless I've just washed my hands.

Stay away from sick people.

Eat lots of garlic all the time. Make ginger and honey tea if my throat is scratchy with lots of proper ginger and then something like curry or sweet &sour packed with garlic/ginger/chilli etc for dinner for a couple of nights.

Always prioritise sleep. Aim for 9 hours a night.

Daily fresh air and a walk.

Nothing. I lead a pretty unhealthy life except no alcohol, but never get ill. Super immune system I think.

Same, not had so much as a sniffle since 2019. It's just luck, or as pp says, age. I'm almost 50 and used to get a lot of respiratory bugs in my younger years. Barely had a cold in 10 years now, think I've already been exposed to all the bugs .

Same here along with NAC, it's a wonder supplement. I am never ill.

I'm vegetarian, don't drink and exercise 4/5 times a week. Meditate and practice mindfulness. The mind body connection is so important. This all helps.

Vicks First Defence at the merest suggestion of a cold. I am not a big hand washer tbh.

I was regularly ill until I started enforcing hand washing when you get in, before eating, after the loo (obviously). DS has used hand sanitiser before his packed lunch since year 5.

Also OH seems to have an alternate immune system to me so it means I don't catch the things he gets and vice versa .
I work in a GP surgery and when I get in the first thing I do is wipe down all the touch points and keyboard etc with disinfectant wipes. Those places are filthy!

Another one who doesn't do anything special. Drink,vape,have kids (primary and secondary).
Had COVID but it was mild.
I can't remember my last cold.
Work with others but not the public.
I do wash my hands properly though.
I think it's all up to chance.

wear a mask (public transport, indoor spaces and if walking where lots of people are)
Wash hands/use hand gel regularly
Keep away from children
Keep away from anyone who has children

I don't have children and work outdoors so spend very little time in enclosed spaces with lots of other people. I think that makes a huge difference. When I worked in retail I was always sick - never had a cold since becoming a dog walker.

DH also works alone for the most part so we don't really come into contact with lots of germs.