Anyone else dealing with cold after cold?

[ny biker]

A few years back I had problems with serial colds. I think it was a side effect of some medication I had recently started taking (Advair).

But I also realized that my diet was probably low in iron and zinc, which might have been affecting my immune system, so I started taking a multivitamin every day. I can't swallow giant pills so I take Centrum chewables. Since then I have only gotten one or two colds per year.

I also used to try to keep up my exercise routine while I was sick, but now I take a few days off as soon as I start to feel sick and I take it easy until I'm feeling better. It's hard getting back into the swing of things afterwards but I definitely get over the cold faster.

[Smilie]

Have you changed your toothbrushes? Bleached door knobs, fridge, oven, microwave handles? Make sure everyone washes hands and sneeze into their elbows? I'm a germ killing freak A few drops of bleach in a squirt bottle, and you are an armed and germ killing machine.

[five one]

I think I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel on the worst cold I've had in recent memory. Even the remnants of asthma are slowly getting better.

I was in the break room today talking to a coworker who started complaining of not feeling well and was planning to go home. Man, I hope I didn't breathe in any of her germs. I refuse to get sick again (stamps foot). I wanna ride my bike! I hope I remember how . The weekend is supposed to be sunny and in the 60's - perfect riding weather. I hope I have enough energy by then.

Being sick is the worst. Hope everyone gets over their assorted crud and stays well.

[andtckrtoo]

A few years back I had problems with serial colds. I think it was a side effect of some medication I had recently started taking (Advair).

But I also realized that my diet was probably low in iron and zinc, which might have been affecting my immune system, so I started taking a multivitamin every day. I can't swallow giant pills so I take Centrum chewables. Since then I have only gotten one or two colds per year.

I also used to try to keep up my exercise routine while I was sick, but now I take a few days off as soon as I start to feel sick and I take it easy until I'm feeling better. It's hard getting back into the swing of things afterwards but I definitely get over the cold faster.

That's interesting - I started a nutrition program that graded based on nutrition, so I stopped taking my multivitamin. I have recently added it back. I have been taking a multivitamin for years, but I had been reading that they are not as effective as eating foods with those vitamins. I wonder if that had something to do with it. I know I seem to be fighting this cold more effectively, which would be after I added them back.

Emily - oh I wash my hands frequently, too. I hate dirty or dirty feeling hands, and as I'm at a computer all day, my hands always feel dirty. I have not had a real cold in about 10 years. I think that's why this season has amazed me. It cannot be as simple as a vitamin pill, can it? Well, that with a sound nutritional program and plenty of sleep?

[msincredible]

Any chance they are not colds and are instead either allergies or sinus infections?

[emily_in_nc]

Emily - oh I wash my hands frequently, too. I hate dirty or dirty feeling hands, and as I'm at a computer all day, my hands always feel dirty. I have not had a real cold in about 10 years. I think that's why this season has amazed me. It cannot be as simple as a vitamin pill, can it? Well, that with a sound nutritional program and plenty of sleep?

Hard to say -- I must admit I don't take vitamins nearly as often as I should, but I do eat healthy (very few meals out), exercise regularly, and try to get enough sleep. I lead a boring life, no late nights out, etc...it all helps. I used to get a lot more colds when I was younger and wilder. It is really hard to say in your case. I sure hope this is your last cold!

[channlluv]

I've been drinking four cups of green tea every morning - I make it all at once in a Pyrex measuring cup and pour it into a water bottle and drink it through lunch. I haven't been sick since August, knock noggin, and that was when I was traveling cross-country.

I work every morning at an elementary school, too. I use antibacterial lotion every now and then, maybe once a week if someone who is obviously sick touches me, but most of the time I just rely on handwashing and green tea.

Oh, and I'm eating an apple every other day or so at snack, too, with my daughter - easy to transport and she likes them.

I think it's the antioxidants in the green tea, though, that are boosting my immune system.

Roxy

[RoadRaven]

This thread has just reminded me of a cold I had at the end of our last winter - people had named it the 100day cold/flu.

I got sick for about a week, started to get over it, then got sick again. The third time I got sick my work mates sent me to the doctor, convinced I was getting pneumonia or pluerisy. The doctor said she had lots of people coming in - same thing happening - they thought their immunity was low and they were getting lots of different bugs, when in fact it was the same one reinventing itself over and again!

I did as much work as possible from home, took suppressant drugs when I had to teach (so I didn't splutter over everyone), lost my voice for nearly 4 weeks in the middle of it and took 6-7 days sick leave.

Nasty nasty - hope this isn't what you are having in your winter

[andtckrtoo]

Thanks all! I just wanted to let y'all know that I did manage to avoid this one - the zinc, good food, vitamins, etc helped. I ended up going for a nice ride yesterday and it felt great!

[OakLeaf]

And then there's simple sleep... according to the story (and I'm a firm believer), not just when you're sick, but all the time.

[emily_in_nc]

And then there's simple sleep... according to the story (and I'm a firm believer), not just when you're sick, but all the time.

Yep, I came back here to post this article (but you beat me to it!) as my DH sent it to me last night. I am a HUGE believer in the power of restorative sleep. I do tend to get a fair amount of it compared to a lot of folks I work with. Generally 7 to 7.5 hours on work nights and 8 to 8.5 on weekends and as I mentioned above, almost never get a cold. Used to get a lot more when I was younger and went out a lot in the evenings. Something to consider for those who are getting more colds than they used to.

[cyclingqueen2k9]

Last year was the sickest year for my family. Between me and my family we were all sick about 4 times each last year.

This year I am trying to be more preventative by using Triaminic's Cold and Flu tracker to get a idea about the infection rates in my area, then I plan countermeasures to keep my family from getting sick during this flu season.

I became aware of this little app at work since my job started a campaign with Triaminic about a year ago for their National Sick Day Guidelines campaign. Last year was a nightmare and I don't want to be in the same situation this year.

[indysteel]

Does anybody use a Neti pot? I don't get colds with any frequency, but I do seem to get a sinus infection every year/other year or so. I had one over Christmas and, while I purchased a Neti pot this go-around, I haven't used it yet. I just need to get over my nervousness about pouring water into my nose!

[tulip]

Ever since I started working from home, stopped using mass transit (because I moved to a city with essentially none), and basically became a very happy hermit, I have not gotten any colds. Wait, I did have one at Thanksgiving...

[GLC1968]

Does anybody use a Neti pot? I don't get colds with any frequency, but I do seem to get a sinus infection every year/other year or so. I had one over Christmas and, while I purchased a Neti pot this go-around, I haven't used it yet. I just need to get over my nervousness about pouring water into my nose!

I'm thinking about getting one to combat the effects of having chlorinated water in my sinuses every couple of days from swimming. I've never used one before though, so I don't know if it'll help or not.