My 'teacher immune system' has crashed! Any tips?

[Abbierhodes]

I've been teaching for more than 10 years, and after the initial NQT-catch-everything period, have had a rock solid immune system for years. I have 3 children of my own in school/preschool, and they've always seemed pretty tough too.

But recently I've caught everything going...colds, flu, sickness bugs. No idea what's gone wrong!

I'm currently recovering from a really nasty stomach bug, and realised that it's the first one I've had in years. My children have all had it too, but my DH hasn't, so it must have been 'resistable'! I normally would not have got it, even with cleaning up the sick etc.

So any ideas what's going on/how I can fix it?

I'm still in the same school btw.

Exercise, lots of fresh veg/fruit, vitamins, time outdoors every day...

So achievable as a teacher!

I had this where I was ill all the time. My immune system recovered when the person giving me the bugs left my life. They were travelling on public transport daily and in an open plan office, I guess that is where all the bugs were coming from.

Has worked changed. & become more stressful?

Handwash all the time.

How's your diet? Sleep? Are you feeling stressed and run-down generally?

I take a multivitamin with iron each day and also a probiotic capsule which seems to have helped with stomach bugs.
Would a wipe round of light switches, door handles, computer keyboards etc help at home and school?
I think if you're really tired and stressed it doesn't take much to get you. The pupils are always so generous with their germs!

Hmm... (thoughtful not cynical )

Work has become more stressful- I'm doing the job of 2 people atm, and we've gone into special measures. Written down like that it's pretty hardcore!

I will deffo look into the probiotics, petalpower. I used to take multibionta and remember it had a great effect on me.

I think tomorrow will be spent 'blasting' the house free of germs.

Thanks for the practical tips on here!

Hi Abbie if this continues, it's worth popping to your GP and getting some blood tests. I've had a really rocky few years with my immune system. For the last two years, have picked up everything going and have had quite a lot of time off work. Had various tests esp to do with thyroid function - all fine. Developed pneumonia at the beginning of half term, so more blood tests. This time also had my vitamin D levels checked and finally I might have an answer. They came back severely low and I was prescribed a high dose supplement. It could take 3-6 months to be back to normal levels. So, definitely worth testing.

Agree with finola

Also get outside as much as possible

And I find a good quality probiotic helps, along with reducing drink & eating a fresher diet.

Hi Abbie if this continues, it's worth popping to your GP and getting some blood tests. I've had a really rocky few years with my immune system. For the last two years, have picked up everything going and have had quite a lot of time off work. Had various tests esp to do with thyroid function - all fine. Developed pneumonia at the beginning of half term, so more blood tests. This time also had my vitamin D levels checked and finally I might have an answer. They came back severely low and I was prescribed a high dose supplement. It could take 3-6 months to be back to normal levels. So, definitely worth testing.

Oops. Double posted. Patchy wifi!