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Original poster

Constantly catching colds/viruses

9 replies

Isabella40 · 21/12/2024 18:29

I'm a teaching assistant and this year back in reception first time in 6 years. I'm now 50 and on my fourth cold/virus since September. Loads of children coughing/snotty noses/hightemps/sickness bugs this last week. I finished yesterday with an awful headache. Today feel feverish/cold symptoms and feel sick.
Keep taking paracetamol to try and get rid of this soon as want to enjoy Christmas with my children!!!
Any recommendations on how to prevent catching anything next term? I occasionally get a cold but never had 4 in such a short period of time!!!!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 22/12/2024 07:03

Have you had a flu jab?

SallyWD · 22/12/2024 07:37

I've been like this since my teens. Just back to back colds throughout autumn and winter, then plenty of cold in Spring and Summer too!
I'm sure you know that healthy living improves the immune system - eat lots of fruit and veg, sleep well and exercise. These things do help.
In terms of supplements. I find that taking 1000mg vitamin C with zinc and a high strength vitamin D each day make a big difference. I still get colds and have lots of sniffles, but the severity and duration of these colds are much reduced. They used to knock me off my feet for days. Now they're milder, and I usually feel better after a day or two.

Original poster
Isabella40 · 22/12/2024 10:33

DustyLee123 · 22/12/2024 07:03

Have you had a flu jab?

No not yet our school offered us a free jab this year I usually pay for it but decided to take up the offer. The nurse was booked in to do this but then cancelled and it's not been rescheduled. I usually get it done September October but when I heard we would get it done thought that was easier.
Is it too late to have it done now?

OP posts:
Original poster
Isabella40 · 22/12/2024 10:37

SallyWD · 22/12/2024 07:37

I've been like this since my teens. Just back to back colds throughout autumn and winter, then plenty of cold in Spring and Summer too!
I'm sure you know that healthy living improves the immune system - eat lots of fruit and veg, sleep well and exercise. These things do help.
In terms of supplements. I find that taking 1000mg vitamin C with zinc and a high strength vitamin D each day make a big difference. I still get colds and have lots of sniffles, but the severity and duration of these colds are much reduced. They used to knock me off my feet for days. Now they're milder, and I usually feel better after a day or two.

Thank you before September went for ages without catching much and when i did never felt too bad. My problem is I'm rubbish at resting.
I'm active/sleep and eat pretty well.
Knew middle of the week I would catch something a few kids coughed right in my face one even wiped his nose in my dress!!! We keep teaching them hygiene rules but it's not easy getting them to follow them!!!

OP posts:
MauveVelcro · 22/12/2024 10:42

I find that taking 1000mg vitamin C with zinc and a high strength vitamin D each day make a big difference

Vit C and Zinc doesn't prevent you getting colds but there is evidence that it shortens the duration and helps you recover quicker.

Anecdotally, both dh and I came down with some kind of cold/virus at the same time and both started showing symptoms last Saturday. I got on the berocca (1000mg vit c plus 15mg zinc) and drank one every day from Saturday. I've been through the whole cold cycle, thick snot, blocked nose, sore throat, cough, glands like golf balls - but from Friday morning I was right as rain so 6 days total. By contrast, dh did not take the Berocca - and he's still absolutely full of cold today, day 9.

Cismyfatarse · 22/12/2024 10:45

First Defence. From the chemist. Up the nose 3 x a day at the first tickle. Fends off colds brilliantly. Couple this with Lemsip Max and I never get past the first day into a full blown cold.

Am a teacher so work in a Petri dish.

Original poster
Isabella40 · 22/12/2024 14:54

MauveVelcro · 22/12/2024 10:42

I find that taking 1000mg vitamin C with zinc and a high strength vitamin D each day make a big difference

Vit C and Zinc doesn't prevent you getting colds but there is evidence that it shortens the duration and helps you recover quicker.

Anecdotally, both dh and I came down with some kind of cold/virus at the same time and both started showing symptoms last Saturday. I got on the berocca (1000mg vit c plus 15mg zinc) and drank one every day from Saturday. I've been through the whole cold cycle, thick snot, blocked nose, sore throat, cough, glands like golf balls - but from Friday morning I was right as rain so 6 days total. By contrast, dh did not take the Berocca - and he's still absolutely full of cold today, day 9.

Thanks for the advice interesting you are better quicker than your hubby.
I was taking Sambucol zinc/vitamin c supplement but ran out a few weeks ago. A colleague of mine recommended it to me after having Covid. Went out yesterday and restocked along with beechams hot lemon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Isabella40 · 22/12/2024 14:56

Cismyfatarse · 22/12/2024 10:45

First Defence. From the chemist. Up the nose 3 x a day at the first tickle. Fends off colds brilliantly. Couple this with Lemsip Max and I never get past the first day into a full blown cold.

Am a teacher so work in a Petri dish.

Thanks for this will look into first defence. Our classroom was full of germs last week you name it we had it in the room!!!!

OP posts:
SallyWD · 22/12/2024 15:22

Oh yes, I meant to mention first defence. It really does work!

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