To ask how often do you get colds/ flu?

[Hereinmyarms]

How often on average do people get colds and flu?

This is NOT a stealth boast - I haven’t had a cold for 3 years and I am actually quite worried about it. I know that’s ridiculous - but I am worried it’s been so long, when I do get it- if will be bad!

My partner seems to be ill all the bloody time- he’s always got a cold or some bug. I work at a uni and I am wondering if I have just developed a good immune system as have been around students a lot over a long time.

Anyway- what is the ‘norm’? I have probably had flu twice in my life and both times when my kids were little and I was tired etc. I think that’s fairly normal to only have flu rarely.

Anyway- it’s weirdly bothering me. Obviously I don’t want to be ill but I am worried it’s been a while and it will be worse when it comes 🤪

Flu - not sure ive ever had proper flu & havent had vaccines either.

Colds - i think i get 2-4 heavy colds a year. Im very prone to them with sinusitis & earache etc.

I get at least one absolutely terrible chest infection each winter. Usually nov/dec. My whole family are prone to bad chests. I try not to resort to antibiotics unless its just not shifting, but can be left coughing for weeks. I first got covid having already been vaccinated and had the worst cough and days of high temperature with it. My chest will be what kills me when Im 80!

Tend to get a lot of whatever is going around. The misery of aching bones, skin and general illness is not to be underestimated. Had several difficult ACES though, one spectacularly unpleasant, and Im sure now that the overall effect is connected to how easily I get ill.

Oddly enough taking up winter swimming has completely pepped my immune system up, so now when I get ill it's generally late spring/ summer / early autumn when the water is warm, and not late autumn / winter / early spring when the water is icy.

(My partner reckons that the viruses look at the cold water, think 'sod that' and hop off to find an easier target)

I’ve had COVID probably 3 times (once when no one knew what it was, I had antibodies as per a research university). Last time was 2 years ago.

I've had influenza 3 times but last time was 29 years ago, I get the vaccine now. I remember exactly when it was as I’ve never been so sick in my life!

And that’s it. I very rarely get just a cold. (I’ll have one tomorrow now!!)

I last had a cold in 2023. I got loads of colds until i left university. Then i started getting a cold about every 5 to 6 years. I had flu once in 2010. I got covid at the start of the pandemic. When i had covid i was coughing really badly in the morning but i didn't cough much in the afternoon.

Colds maybe once a year on average, sometimes twice sometimes none. I've never had the flu. I'm very much a crack on type of person, wouldn't change day to day life for a cold, but I get vertigo so sometimes get quite ill with a cold as it can kick my vertigo off and then I am useless and just need to lie in a dark room. So very glad I'm only rarely ill!

Yes, but that's because getting the flu might be more serious for older people, not because they get more colds and flus.

Probably about 2-3 times a year - currently have the virus which went from DS2 - 3rd year of uni, living at home, to DH and now me. Had something in January which DH caught on plane over NY from the coughing fellow passengers across the aisle.
Had tonsilitus a lot as a child.
Had glandular fever twice - at uni then from DS1 when a teenager.
Covid twice. Easter 2021 - everyone I knew got it (except direct family); Nice 2024, public transport.
Flu 2-3 times. Last time - 18 years ago, have taken flu vaccine every year since, using a voucher from work (had it a week ago). Yes it was flu, remember being so delirious forgot my full name and address!
My experience; nothing like a specially customised virus by your own family!

I’ve never had the flu and I’m late 50s. I can’t remember when I last had a cold, at least a few years ago.
I had colds more often when the children were young and at school and I was working in an
office.

I'm the same, maybe one every 3 years. Had flu twice in my life, COVID once, not until 2023 and had it in the household 3 times before that.
I don't take any supplements, my diet is ok, not brilliant, I think I just had all the colds when I was younger and have immunity now 🤷. I also work with animals/have always had animals and I think there is evidence this can help your immune system so maybe there's something in that.

Nothing in six years last was really bad chest infection +fever mar 2020
I sanitise hands when out and about.

Ive had Covid badly twice and flu prior once and I’d say I get colds and coughs most winters maybe one or two, but seem to be a so to shed them off with some lemsip.

3 years ago I had to take some steroids for a chest infection.

Fluenoncenin my 30's I don't remember anything I was in bed for 2 weeks and took months to feel better. Couple of chest infections. Covid once. Cold maybe one every other year. I make up for it by being Mrs Pukey McPukerson tho about 3 times a year. Short but intense 😂

A couple of colds a year. I don’t think I’ve ever had flu. Hoping that a strong immune system has passed on to DS, over a year in nursery and he’s only been off ill once.

I have small DC and they bring all sorts home, it’s inescapable.

Please don't take other people's health as reassurance that you won't suffer with lots of colds, that isn't how it works

Ive never had flu and have no idea about colds, I didn't know they were something people counted or recorded. I guess the fact that I can't answer the question must mean they dont feature to any extent in my life but history isn't going to prevent future colds unfortunately

I have an autoimmune disease and get colds and sore throats like clock work every six weeks in winter, often more. Baby DD seems to be the same. Not DS, who is hale and hearty like DH.

I don’t get the ‘flu (God willing) because I get the NHS jab. I get Covid now I’m not eligible for the jab anymore, and that’s bloody miserable with a baby to look after, so I might pay privately this year.

I used to get a cold every year. The last one was eight years ago, which is when I stopped shaking hands. This might of course be a coincidence.

I can't remember the last time, probably 29 years ago. I've had COVID once about 4 years ago. My OH constantly having colds

I’ve had actual flu once as a child. I remember it properly wiped me out. I don’t remember the last time I had a cold , I’m 66! I’ve had covid twice so mildly I barely realised, back in Covid times. I worked in schools for around 20 years and I was the first aid lady! My immune system must be hard as nails . I put it down to not being the slightest bit concerned over germs.

Last cold I had was 2017. I used to have them a lot in my 20s and 30s but I think at 72 I've run out of viruses now

I thought I had a great immune system, until I caught covid. As a result, I have to spend a lot of time at doctors and hospitals trying to address the resulting health issues. I often come away with poorer health than I went with, so try to avoid healthcare settings as much as possible as it’s not worth the illnesses I pick up. Every bout of covid adds more health issues and even colds knock me for absolute six now. I’ve managed to avoid covid in this current wave so far, touch wood!

I have two primary school children and I seem to get more colds then them at the moment 🙈.
Nobody can prepare you for how intense illnesses are with young child 😱

I'm late 60s and last had a cold in 2019. Had flu once about 25 years ago.
Worked in schools too.

I had lots of my own kids then worked in a boarding school. Even back then, I rarely got colds, maybe one a year, and flu only once every four or five years. I’ve had one very mild head cold and nothing else in the last four years. I do have a flu jab every year as soon as they become available - used to pay, but now I get them free. I got Covid in 2022 (Jabs were fully up to date) and it was much the same as a mild cold, but I ended up with an unusual neurological complication that took a bit of time to clear.

I haven’t had a cold since I had Covid in 2021. I rarely get sick. (Thank god!)