Ask how to prevent coughs/colds

[thrive25]

Hi all - I seem to be very susceptible to minor coughs/colds, and wondering if I can ask what steps anyone has taken to boost their immunity, as I honestly seem to get about 10-12 colds a year! I'm in a new (but incredibly low stress) job and this isn't a good look

I eat fairly well (vegetables, whole foods), get loads of vitamin C, try to get outside most days even if just 20 mins or so. I am a bit overweight (20-30 pounds) so think losing that might help. Otherwise I am a a loss?

I travel into London once a week or so and am seriously thinking of wearing a mask on the tube! Try to wash hands when I get in and try to rest/sleep when I feel something coming on

Any suggestions? Are there any tests I should ask doctor for to see if I might be deficient in something? (I have very good insurance through work so now would be an ideal time to get to the bottom of this)

This is not a new issue btw, been like this since my 30s and thought it was due to travelling on the tube daily... 10 years on I still seem to get every sneeze going

TIA for any suggestions!

PS - would giving up alcohol entirely help? Was thinking of doing so because of the empty calories, probably have 2-3 glasses of wine once or twice a week at the moment. Never smoked, probably eat too much sugar (small choc bar or 2-3 biscuits most days which isnt helping my weight)

I am usually very sceptical about herbal medicine but I absolutely swear by echinacea. I also take vitamin c with zinc daily

I rarely get ill and when I feel the first hint of a sniffle I take echinacea and 95% of the time it seems to stop the cold in its tracks.

Yes, wear a mask on public transport

Each virus you get can dampen your immune system - and covid is exceptionally good at doing this, and the effect can last months, even years. So if you're catching covid (even really mildly) a couple of times a year, your immune system will be dampened all the time, and you'll catch everything else a bit more easily.

So not catching stuff in the first place is the way to break the cycle, and wearing a mask helps with that. The Tube is germ soup at the best of times!

@KnottyKnitting : is there any particular echinacea you take, the liquid? Its gross but if it means I am not constantly cancelling plans I will take it

If you are in a new job, you will get more than usual.
Be as healthy as you can. Good food, a lot of fresh air.

First defense up your schnozz a few times a day as well as echinacea drops as per pp. also keep your hands away from your face as much as possible 😊

@nether : thanks for this, your explanation makes a lot of sense. I had a more serious virus last week (given to me by a friend who mentioned she was 'under the weather' after inviting me over!!) and have just recovered to catch a new cold. 'Breaking the cycle' by wearing a mask sounds sensible. I think this may have been the issue when I was living & working in Central London as I seemed to catch a new cold weekly

I do also seem to get covid every 6 months so that doesn't help!

Daily Sambucol and curcumin. Then if you do get any hint of a cold, higher doses curcumin for a few days. Im asthmatic and hospitalised multiple times with exacerbations after head colds went to my chest, taking sambucol and curcumin daily I havent had a cold or asthma exacerbation in 11 months. Even when everyone else at home has been sick.

I take the A.Vogel Echinaforce tablets. Two, three times a day. They are usually on offer in Boots and also Tesco 3 for 2. ( I don't like the liquid either- tastes horrid!)

Wear a mask and wash your hands frequently.Avoiding germs is the only way to not catch h things.

As above plenty of good food! I also find a good sweat in a sauna or steam room very helpful - usually after a good workout. Then have dinner straight afterwards with plenty of fresh veg and a squeezed lemon (topped up with hot or cold water) - seems to keep most of the viruses at bay! (Said by someone sitting at home with a stinking cold! First one this season if that counts?)

Yes to mask wearing on public transport- make sure you throw it away after 1 use and wash your hands.

Thank you - I have just been to pull out my pandemic supplies!