We're both constantly ill! Does anything help?

[Jannt86]

I'm sat here unable to sleep because my throat is raging and my nose is stuffy. I know tonsilitis is common but this is literally the 3rd virus that myself and my 22MO daughter have caught in a row. Neither of us has been properly well since September and it's really getting us both down. Every time I feel like we're back on track something else comes along. Poor daughter had HFMD followed almost immediately with hospital asmission for viral wheeze in September/October last year and then it's just been one thing after another and she's been permanently snotty and miserable and chewing things like her mouth hurts and whining for milk/dummy. I'm not worried there's anything especially sinister going on but I just can't deal with the constant viral illnesses especially when I'm returning to work shortly. My question is basically does anything actually work to stop us getting these stupid bugs? They might only be viruses but they're so debilitating when you can't cut a break. Thanks x

You could take vitamins but I suspect it's just bad luck. Once the weather improves a lot of the bugs will starts to disappear. I hope you both feel better soon

Fresh air! Lots and lots of fresh air.
I cant remember the last time i got a cold. Im always out in all weathers walking the dog. Windows always open. Rarely wear a coat.
I have noticed that most of my colleagues who are always wrapped up against the wet weather are often off work ill with colds.

Sounds nasty , and worrying for your 22 month old Dd. I would make appointment with GP prior to going back to work to make sure secondary bacterial infection hasnt taken hold and making her feel dreadful. That way you ensure she is well enough to cope if you need to leave her in childcare Bad timing if she has developed something else, as you can't return to work if she is very ill

Poor you
I'm a primary school teacher with two young DC, so often I'll. Sucks. There are a few years when they're little when they seem to pick up every bug going, but it eases off eventually. We're all ill at the moment, hence why awake.
I disagree with Barry, I think different people need different things; DP is like you, but since I moved to the UK from a country that has very cold, dry winters with snow (where I too am an 'outdoors in all weathers' kind of person) I really struggle in the British winter which is damp / high humidity. It's constitutional; our bodies fare better / worse is specific conditions, and are more or less prone to certain infections / ailments. When you are a parent of a young child, perhaps sleep deprived and a bit worn out, you are much more vulnerable.

Possibly irrelevant but could any of the symptoms of runny nose be related to an allergy ? I had bronchitis constantly as a child due to to living in a damp home ( causing mould ) Also have allergy to dustmite whuch can cause constant sinus symptoms.

I get all the bugs going around...I used to be a teacher and now catch more !!..I eat lots of home made soups in winter , take vits, eat fruits...do yoga, walk lots....I noticed I catch more if I have been using the underground..I have acupuncture every month to expel damp in my system and it works to shift them but a few weeks later I get another virus or cold..she also does needle s for immune points...I don't get ill at all in summer...it's always Jan and Feb months...last Feb I was home for whole month...no energy to go out etc...tests at gp came back fine...I talk to quite a few people who say it's relentless stream of colds etc for months !! Not sure what's going on !!

Are you honestly really really good at washing your hands? Do you keep your nails short? Do you touch your face a lot?

It's really hard to keep a 2 year old clean, does she put anything and everything in her mouth?

I think those are the sort of things most likely to affect your chances of catching things. Hope you feel better soon.

Similar thoughts to @midsummabreak How long have you been living in this house?

I use Sambucol Syrup for dd from Oct-Feb and she hasn’t caught anything (touch wood!). Even being in the germ-pit that is nursery. Don’t know if it’s luck or what, but I won’t stop using it now!

Lots of things to consider:

• is she teething her molars? They always seem miserable and snotty. I did a little dance when my youngest final tooth erupted. Bloody awful time.

• damp /mould in the home and possible pet hair allergies.

• not having a healthy diet and enough sleep. Pretty hard when bloody teething is happening. And some kids are fussy eaters.

• was she full term? My middle child was induced at 36 weeks and Ive read babies born early even if not premature can suffer with their lungs. as it’s one of the last things babies fully develop in the womb. Anyway my middle child was also hospitalised with viral infections and is now asthmatic.

-They don’t have fully developed immune systems yet. This is one reason I extended bf for my 3rd child. I didn’t bf the other 2 past 6 months and personally I noticed a difference. Especially when they start mixing with other kids they pick up every bug going, and the bf baby was the one who bounced through the viruses quicker. If you’re still bf know your sharing antibodies with her and supporting her.

• if she’s not yet had chickenpox consider getting her privately vaccinated. Both doses. We did, saved ourselves the dilemma of who took the fortnight off work when the pox hit the nursery. Also definitely get her vaccinated for MMR. Mumps have been going round my kids school and you won’t believe how many parents ‘forgot’ to get their kids vaccinated and had to play catch up with their vaccination programme.