Child in nursery but I'm the one who's constantly ill

[kingfisher657]

DS is almost 17 months, been in nursery since 11 months. I was told to expect constant illness, and indeed he's had a fair few bugs, but mostly just colds and/or short-lived things - only 2 illnesses where he missed significant nursery time and was properly unwell for more than a day or two. He seems to have a decent immune system - we are lucky.

My immune system, on the other hand...Since May I've had flu, bronchitis, covid, a sinus infection, 4 colds, and 2 tummy bugs. That's 10 illnesses in 6 months, some of them really quite bad. And looking back, a fair few of the bugs DS has had, he has caught from me. I am the disease vector just as often as he is! You'd think I was the child in nursery!

What is going on, do you think? Am I catching up from lockdown (I went almost 2 years without even a sniffle)? Am I just run down from sleep deprivation + parenting + work + moving house, so I can't fight anything off? Or is DS bringing germs home on his hands or clothes or something, and I'm catching them before he does?

It probably doesn't matter what the cause is, I'm just trying to figure out when this is going to END because I'm knackered, and whether there's anything I can do or if I just have to ride it out.

I have a similar experience. Both children had frequent bugs around that age but I seemed to get even more, was constantly run down and exhausted, with illness after illness. I seemed to take longer to recover for colds that my kids recovered from in a couple of days.
I think, as you say, it's that combination of factors. For me it was work, a deep exhaustion through prolonged poor sleep, and constantly fighting off the bugs they bring home. I have also wondered if being exposed to a poorly child at close range actually gives you a higher viral load to fight off - not sure if there is evidence for this!
If it helps, it eased a bit once my older child was a bit bigger (4-5 age) and seemed to get ill less often herself, so I'm hoping as my younger one gets bigger we'll have this less often. It's rubbish though. I don't know that I can offer advice except rest when you can and get what help you can, and have faith that it will get easier once your child is a bit older! Good luck and be gentle with yourself.

Hi, I know its been a year since this post but I wanted to ask @kingfisher657 did it settle down?

I'm in the same boat with constant illness since my 13 month old started nursery 3 months ago. He's sick alot but I am also very sick and it's exhausting! Just wondered if you had any improvements over the last year!

Yes it did settle down, thank goodness! Probably at some point in the spring once there were fewer illnesses going around. And the second autumn/winter in nursery has so far been so much better; we've only had 3 illnesses since September, all pretty mild (colds etc). Thank goodness as I'm now pregnant again so don't know how I would cope otherwise! I hope your bugs settle down soon too, best of luck.