Anyone else dealing with cold after cold?

[andtckrtoo]

I normally manage to avoid most colds. I get maybe one a year, and it's usually not too bad. But this year, I'm fighting my 3rd cold. (I've been living on echinacea, zinc and Vitamin C). DH is sick as well, and everyone around me has had 3 or more colds and it's only January! Any suggestions?

[indysteel]

Knock on wood, I haven't had a cold since October of 2006.

Not to ask the obvious, but is there anything affecting your immunity? Stress? Lack of sleep? Do yo have any underlying issues with allegies, sinus problems?

I hope you feel better and stay better soon!

[Tokie]

Me too...although this is only #2 for me, I've been off my bike the better part of 2.5 weeks. The cold in early November wiped me out too. I usually just have cold symptoms and continue on with my life. I know it would help if I got more sleep (to avoid getting sick), but it just seems like quite a virulent bunch of colds going around. I've been off work for 3 days and my boss says lots of people are also sick now at work. Yuck. I haven't had colds for the past 2 years. Almost over this one though - now where did I hide my energy? It's not good when the 12 hour sudafed wears off! Tokie

[Aquila]

If you're in a really cold area with dry air, maybe getting a humidifier for your bedroom would help? It helps me a lot.

[jobob]

I'm only on cold #1. please let it be the only one ...

[Fujichants]

If you're in a really cold area with dry air, maybe getting a humidifier for your bedroom would help? It helps me a lot.

I actually think my humidifier brought on my cold. Even though I clean that thing religiously. Funny enough, last night I couldn't stop coughing. The minute I turn off the humidfier, the coughing stops and I was finally able to sleep.

I haven't had a cold in years, and now i've had one for 2 weeks and no signs of it letting up either!

[OakLeaf]

Even if the humidifier itself is clean, any time the humidity gets above about 60%, molds have the opportunity to grow on everything else (furniture, bedding, walls, curtains, carpet, etc.). If you're dealing with allergies on top of a cold, it can make the cold last longer (because your immune system is compromised), and also make it seem like it's lasting longer because there's so much overlap of the symptoms.

Personally I have to be careful with echinacea, because it just pumps up my immune system indiscriminately and makes my allergies worse. Maybe try ashwagandha.

But if it's not just you - if everyone around you has had multiple colds - it sounds like maybe there are just that many different viruses going around your area, just bad luck.

Hope everyone feels better soon.

[PamNY]

A friend of mine had several illnesses in a short time -- he was really worried, and the doctor diagnosed "rotten luck." Seems like a good diagnosis, as this was years ago and my friend is healthy. Maybe it's just chance?

Hand washing is my favorite preventive. I do think stress or worry wreaks havoc on the immune system; my mother went through a two-year terminal illness and I got cold after cold plus upset stomachs.

Hope you are healthy soon!

Pam