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Original poster

For those of us being hammered by bugs

184 replies

stripetop · 28/10/2021 20:59

Hello

I wondered if we could have a general chat, handhold, tips thread for those of us being hammered by bugs just now.

I have two children, I also have fairly severe health anxiety focused on them.

We have had colds, chest infections, tonscilitis. Conjunctivitis, norovirus, poisoning, and that's just October.

They have a good diet. Im trying to continue groups etc. I've ordered sambucol on a friend recommended basis.

Any other tips.

OP posts:
SerendipitySunshine · 29/10/2021 21:14

My GP recommended a decent probiotic helps for adults and children. With little ones they can get this from breastfeeding, and when older there are children's probiotics. It's made a big difference for us.

CrabbyCat · 29/10/2021 21:37

We're struggling too. With DC1 and 2 it wasn't quite as relentless prepandemic, but there were still a horrible few months after they first started. It was more confined to things they were susceptible to though (e.g. repeated ear infections for DC1). With DC3 just now it feels like it's just one thing after another, I literally can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep.

stairway · 29/10/2021 21:51

We’ve had constant illnesses in our family except the oldest. My son literally vomited all over his baby brother. Baby brother didn’t get the sickness bug though amazingly. You have to be thankful for small miracles. I’m taking a pregnacare multivitamin atm (not pregnant) and those yogurt drinks and it seems to be working ( i’m usually always sick)

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needtogetfit21 · 29/10/2021 21:54

Sending solidarity and love ❤️

Stellaris22 · 29/10/2021 22:04

Our DD is constantly fighting some sort of cold and always coughing, it’s particularly bad at night and it’s horrible. We all have multivitamins and we have the immune health ones, but nothing seems to help.

I do think the poster mentioning that BF means their kids don’t get colds could have thought twice before posting, as this is a thread for advice not making people feel bad about feeding their children. I did rather hope people would be past this debate by now.

EcoCustard · 29/10/2021 22:06

It’s relentless at the moment. Ds2.5 has had a permanent cough and cold since September. Tummy bug, HFM and that wiped him out for a fortnight his nails are now falling off. Now has another hacking cough and cold. Barely been at nursery along with groups as he is always sick. Waiting for Chicken Pox now. His siblings have had various bugs, colds etc but so far holding up better. We had slapped cheek followed by chicken Pox in 2019 over February & March and that was awful so hoping it doesn’t continue.
Mine are outside a lot, walk or cycle daily, eat well and have had a multivitamin since I can remember. Now considering only going to outdoor parks over the coming months 🙈

moita · 29/10/2021 22:07

I hear you OP. My youngest started pre school and my oldest started school this September. Constant bugs.

I'm just getting over a sinus infection.

It's miserable

Original poster
stripetop · 30/10/2021 07:58

Everyone welcome of course.

I'm ok, sorry we have a very old house and wifi only works in kitchen.

A fairly settled night in the scheme of things. Not sure I will ever get toddler back to her bed but to be honest at moment I would rather I could see them both. So baby is in cot next to my bed and toddler with me, dh is in spare room!

OP posts:
Original poster
stripetop · 30/10/2021 08:01

I do have a question though.

Why is it so bad this winter, compared to last do you think?

Because for me everything is the same except I'm not pregnant. Schools were open until Christmas, Dd was at playgroup, they didn't announce the lockdown till 19 December. We were mixing etc. So although we had been in a bubble we did come out of it I thought?

OP posts:
EllieSattler · 30/10/2021 08:11

People were a lot more germ-avoidant last year and there was that mini lockdown in November so the bugs just weren't getting the chance to spread.

Bugs bugs bugs here too. I had booked a cinema trip two weeks ago, ended up taking DD for a PCR test and staying awake all night as she had a raging fever. Last week was meant to be a trip with a friend booked almost a year ago. Spent the day in hospital with DS who had a massive asthma attack triggered by a virus. He's still not over it. (He was breastfed until he was 3!!) Its exhausting. I have a cold and would kill for a lie in. No chance.

DunderMifflinSalesRep · 30/10/2021 08:17

@stripetop

I do have a question though.

Why is it so bad this winter, compared to last do you think?

Because for me everything is the same except I'm not pregnant. Schools were open until Christmas, Dd was at playgroup, they didn't announce the lockdown till 19 December. We were mixing etc. So although we had been in a bubble we did come out of it I thought?

Last year we had a lot of measures in place. Nightclubs closed. Social distancing leading to reduced numbers in other venues. Enforced WFH. This meant that community spread of all viruses, not just Covid, was much lower, leading to a lower spread in schools and nurseries etc.

We're lucky in that DS9 seems to be immune to everything. This seemingly includes Covid as almost all his class have had it but not a peep from him.

However, DD5 is certainly making up for the last two years. She's had a snotty nose, cough since beginning of September. Ear ache, sore throat, conjunctivitis, stomach ache, diarrhoea at various points. Covid tests every week or so because of the extra rules our school have imposed. It's a flipping nightmare. Her skin under her nose is raw.

Motherland101 · 30/10/2021 10:34

Hope everyone is feeling a little better today. I thought we turned a corner yesterday and had a fairly good night but back to misery + cartoons today and DH seem to have joined the party too with a head cold. Hope it won't be full on man flu, I can't cope with that 🤞🙈

Quick question... toddler DS has Wellbaby Multivitamins daily. Would I be giving him sambucol as well as or instead? I get so confused with this, the last thing I want is giving him a vitamin overdose and an upset stomach 😩 What do you guys do?

Opalfeet · 30/10/2021 11:01

I'm not giving sambucol, I'm letting my littlies immune systems do their work, that's what they're for? I'm keeping them healthy with food and a multivit.

Opalfeet · 30/10/2021 11:02

I mean I've looked into it and think that its not worth it personally, if they are going to catch something they will?

Original poster
stripetop · 30/10/2021 11:26

I'm wondering the same @Motherland101. @needtogetfit21 do you know? Both or just one.

@Opalfeet I just feel it's got so bad here I will try anything. Even sacrificing a frog in the rain by moonlight under a cloud of wasps....if it might help

OP posts:
Motherland101 · 30/10/2021 11:36

Yeah, Im in the mindset that it's only vitamins and flavonoids and surely it won't cause any harm. If anything, just gives his immune system a better chance at fighting all the nasties.

DS has been so miserable and off his food, whilst I do believe we all have a good and balanced diet, right now I'm happy if he has some toast and cheese or a bag of crisps and fruit pouches 😩

Opalfeet · 30/10/2021 11:38

@stripetop you do what you got to do. I tried all the infacol stuff when my first born was little and I think it's easy to kid yourself these things work. There's someone making huge amounts of money out of these things. I think I'd be more inclined to get a vit c supplement and crush it up in some milk as this seems to be the key factor here.

Opalfeet · 30/10/2021 11:39

It's 8 quid though, that's quite a bit if you have two kids for something that's not particularly effective. You can get a vit c supplement for a quid in home bargains 🤣

Opalfeet · 30/10/2021 11:40

@Motherland101 whizz some mango in the blender...full of vit c and not all boiled off in the heat process

Motherland101 · 30/10/2021 11:48

[quote Opalfeet]@Motherland101 whizz some mango in the blender...full of vit c and not all boiled off in the heat process[/quote]
That's actually a really good idea, thank you! I do have a couple of bags of frozen mangos that I use for his porridge but of course that's been a no go in the past couple of weeks too :/

Opalfeet · 30/10/2021 11:55

@Motherland101...snap on the mango and porridge!

Original poster
stripetop · 30/10/2021 11:56

@Opalfeet great idea on the mango.....also have some in freezer, and ice lolly moulds. Might try that this afternoon

OP posts:
ljc111985 · 30/10/2021 12:27

15 month DS has been at nursery 4 months and I feel like been sick for 4 months!

My DSD lives with us and has always had 100% attendance till her baby bro was born! Poor things had so much time off this term!

So many bugs 😩

Mrsmch123 · 30/10/2021 12:37

🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️We have our first illness over here....he's 4 months and had a cough and cold. He's so miserable😭

needtogetfit21 · 30/10/2021 12:40

@Motherland101 there is only a small
Amount of vitamin C in the multi vitamin, you could always give a smaller dose of the sambucol but ime it works wonders when given regularly. I love the stuff!

@Opalfeet the immune system is still getting 'exercised' even with a high dose of vitamin c (sambucol). Entirely up to you obviously. I personally have experienced vitamins helping massively, I'm Immunocompromised and initially I used to be sick constantly but since adding vitamins in I manage much better

Btw you can get it on Amazon for £5 or £6. As I say I've seen it work first hand with my kids. But it is expensive so I don't usually bother during warmer months and during winter I give the standard dose. But if at any point they are struggling with something then I give the full winter dose until it blows over.

My problem these last couple months was that I saw the gummies and switched to them but I've realised they aren't nearly as effective as the liquid

My children also have multiple food allergies and are fussy with veg as welll as having a minor immunodeficiency so it's the easiest way to get a regular amount into them

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