To be worried about how many bugs I’m getting lately

[Mellymoon]

I seem to have had non stop sore throats, coughs and colds since October and seems to be getting them one after another.. is it just me? I used to barely get sick at all..

I'm exactly the same except it's been 3 stomach bugs and a chest infection.
It's getting me down, making me anxious.

Same here I’m just getting over my fourth cold since Christmas My poor DH has just started with my most recent cold, and is coughing for England this morning. Never known anything like it. The last cold I had was two years ago.

Yes. I am currently dealing with a sore throat and my joints are painful like I have the flu and low energy. I had Covid 6 weeks ago.

I had a cold in November and nothing since, which is pretty normal for me. Sounds like your immune system could do with a boost … do you take multivitamins? Good diet and exercise?

Same, OP. I have lost count of the number of colds I’ve had since October. As soon as one is gone,another one turns up! It’s not been much fun, that’s for sure, Am hoping that warmer weather will improve things and I have also stated with a multivitamin.

I'm the same OP since Christmas I
I have had a cold, then flu then a cold again. I am still ill now, it's tiring.

I’m really worried as I never used to get Ill. Two bouts of flu in a month and a bit seems excessive.

I actually developed my own conspiracy theory about this yesterday - that THEY KNOW we're going out a species and Covid has weakened our immune systems so we're all going to DIE

I also had the worst cold of my life in November - had to take 3 days off, first time in 15 years!

Covid a month later

And now another heavy cold where I've lost my voice and I just want to go to bed

I'm the same. Like you, I never really used to get sick at all. I'm getting really fed up with it tbh.

I have a new cold now, when I hadn't even fully recovered from the old one. It's exhausting.

I know other people who feel the same. I can't help but wonder if it's linked to covid and the fact that we were all exposed to fewer germs for an extended period through all the lockdowns and periods of social distancing. Maybe our collective immunity took a hit from all of this?

I've also been ill basically since Christmas. Multiple rounds of steroids and antibiotics. Cough and throat have improved but I have zero energy and can hardly imagine feeling properly well and healthy again.

It's very, very dull. Sending sympathy to all affected.

I'm very much the same, this year has been horrific cold followed by flu and tummy bug followed by cold.
I've been getting worried about my immune system, taking all recommended vitamins etc but was considering speaking to GP about whether there's some deficiency or something affecting my immune system- anyone else done this?

Yes same here. Never been ill in my life, never had flu or bad colds until this year. Had an awful cough last June that took weeks to go, then a couple of weeks later had covid for the first time, then been ill again a few times this winter. Dh also now has this horrible coughing bug that has lasted weeks.

Maybe look at your gut health. If you have had antibiotics then they could have wiped out the good bacteria in your gut.

Same. I had a heavy cold (or flu?) twice before Christmas. Again late January. Then last week woke up with a cold, sore throat and tiredness, but that barely lasted 2 days. I eat well, exercise and have been taking daily vitamins and minerals for more years than I can remember. I very rarely caught a cold, as for flu - maybe every 5 years. It does make you wonder

It's stomach bugs more than colds where we are. I've just had my third v+d bug of the winter, brought back yet again by DD from nursery. I'm wiped out - truly think another one will finish me off. I'd only ever had one in my life before DD was born and I'm pretty sure that was food poisoning from a dodgy prawn curry.

I’ve had one cold after another since new year and before that nothing for several years. I had the 4th Covid booster and the flu jab so thought I’d be fine. It has really got me down physically and emotionally.

Many viruses can temporarily dampen your immune system. Growing evidence that covid is rather good at it, and that the effect can last for many months.

A pattern of more illnesses and them being that little bit worse is exactly what you'd expect to see on a population where many people have had covid at least once in the previous 6-8 months.

best thing to do is to avoid picking up more winter bugs (or indeed any time of year ones). Avoid being indoors with people who are symptomatic (of anything) or if you must, wear a mask and press for better ventilation (or air fitration) in places which it's difficult to avoid.

And if you are symptomatic (of anything) stay home if you can, stay away from other people, wear a mask and minimise contact if you can't.

Plus hand-washing - no use against airborne pathogens, but the most important step for eg many tummy bugs

Sounds silly but how is your handwashing ? Especially those with frequent tummy bugs?

Good post 👍

I am exactly the same, it is making me feel extremely low. I am on my 3rd course of antibiotics since November.

My whole household has been constantly ill. It is very depressing.

Oh I could have written this. I last had a flu in spring 2019. Nothing at all through lockdown etc but got COVID twice within 6 weeks last year. I have not felt right since, my lungs have felt wheezy and I am on my 6th cold/flu type thing since October.

I take vitamins, but just cannot seem to get a break with it and am seriously considering seeing a doctor to make sure there's is nothing underlying.

Same, been back to back illnesses since December now. Whole family down over and over again - do have two young children who appear to be designed to collect germs

Everyone the same at work children or otherwise, perhaps just the first winter where everyone has been fully mixing so a backlog of mutated germs to work through post lock downs

I am (mildly) worried too and have been ill since October. First with flu for 6 weeks then awful gastro illness. Was fine over Christmas then chest infection Jan and now in bed with a much worse chest infection again and tracheotomy! However the lovely emergency doc I saw yesterday said that my previous chest infection was probably not quite dealt with.

I normally only get mild colds and have the usual sniffle and feel a bit ropey for a few days and can carry on as normal.

I feel very rundown by it all.

I am only mildly concerned though because it is the first winter with no masks etc so am hoping that is the only reason. Plus I was very worried in Jan when I got the previous chest infection, so I got extensive testing done and I am on paper - very healthy 🤔

Cannot wait for spring and hope we all feel better soon!

Pretty good (I'd thought) - I even had a hot shower after the third bug hit DD on Weds evening last week. Washed my hands so much they were all chapped and dry. But. She was sick all over me twice that eve while I was holding her and trying to comfort her while DH sorted her bedding out and ran everything through the washing machine. So probably got infected then. :( Next time it'll be DH doing the holding and me doing the washing - it's his turn!!

Me too! I've had one thing after another since before Christmas - l'm so fed up. I'm hesitating to make plans now because l'm convinced l'll just get some bloody virus two days before and feel horrible. I'm off work with a hacking cough and general mankyness at the moment. It's really rubbish!