Boosting immune systems

ffinn and yogagran That's interesting. I had shingles in my head and one eye as well a few years ago, but never associated that with immunity problems - I always just blame everything on the ME! It's a very fetching look, isn't it?! My shingles was misdiagnosed by the GP as an eye infection and I was given antibiotic ointment to put in my eye. It wasn't until I was referred to a specialist that the shingles was diagnosed! Apparently, it's quite common for that to happen - how reassuring

That's interesting ffinnochio - I had shingles on my forehead and eye some years ago and you've made me wonder if that is connected with the more frequent colds and chest infections that I get now.

Shingles is really horrid isn't it?

I'm still left with sensitive and itching problems around my eyebrow and forehead especially when I'm tired or upset

Following a very nasty bout of Shingles across my forehead, eye and cheekbone about 6 years ago, my immune system is not what it was. The basics can't be beaten: good varied diet, little alcohol, exercise and fresh air seem to keep things on an even keel. Vit. D, which after blood tests, was found to be almost nil is now, after medication, back to normal levels. Now I just take cod liver oil tabs. daily. Interestingly, not available to buy in France, so buy online.
Feel v. much better all round.

Recently went to London and decided it was better to up my hand-washing.

DD1 tells me that depletes the immune system.

DH has a cold at the moment and I am taking vitamins and proflanavol; also handwashing frequently, as my immune system is low. Fingers crossed too, although that may not help.

As I teacher I usually made it to the end of term ( sometimes on automatic pilot for the last day or two) but a day or so into a holiday was flattened by colds so I think Jessm is spot-on.
Today I saw the practice nurse as I've been fighting a chest infection since mid-January.
She thinks it's the last dregs of the infection (as per recent blood test results) but has made a couple of interesting suggestions.
If peak flow readings improve with use of newly-prescribed inhaler then asthma is indicated though it might be short-term. If they don't improve it could be copd -but unlikely as I've never smoked. Try this for 3 weeks then spirometry tests.
Since I so rarely need to visit my doc, I have to say I'm quite impressed by the thoroughness of her questions and suggestions. The lesson I've learned is that I shouldn't have struggled on self-medicating at the start of this. Sometimes we have to ask for help and maybe it should have been sooner rather than later. By trying to avoid the anti-biotics I ended up with 3 courses of them plus steroids.

I am fit and follow a healthy lifestyle. I don't have the flu jab because I don't catch flu. But I have colds, one after another, all of every winter. I've had 4 since Christmas, the last one has lasted 6 weeks of constant coughing, streaming nose, gummy eyes, sore throat.
I certainly catch colds from the grandchildren but also every time I go away or have visitors from elsewhere.
I've tried various supplements but nothing makes any difference.
Aren't we supposed to catch fewer colds as we get older?

My DH had a nasty chest infection years ago which he claims he caught whilst flying to the States and as a result of that he will no longer fly anywhere as he says that recirculated air in planes is full of bugs. Now I visit family across the Atlantic on my own

Morning and thank you Jess.

DH always used to get a bad cold as soon as we went on holiday as does DD1. He gets far fewer since he started to work part-time in an aspect of he job where he feels really useful and fulfilled!

Morning kitty. Its complicated. e.g. people who soldier on in the face of horrible stress and stay fit. Then when "it stops" they get ill. Complex interplay between stress hormones, brain and immune system.
Stress can cause people to either do things that are bad for them e.g. eat a lot of junk, drink to excess. And it can be associated with not exercising, not sleeping etc
Generally the effect of stress on health is hyped up with little solid evidence.

What effect does stress have, Jess? I suspect that might lower one's resistance!

I too am guilty of washing my hands before doing anything to do with the children but not after - more likely to have a lie down and

Hope you feel better soon Harri. [flowers[

DS and GD had viruses and we kept going without catching anything until GD came to our house to stay on Sunday night. I spent yesterday being sick to the annoyance of GD who wanted to go to the cinema. DS has gone from one illness to the next and has now got Labyrinthitis.

I agree re vitamin C and zinc overrated. Zinc helps to reduce symptoms when you have a cold. Vitamin D is getting a great deal of attention these days and I take a cold liver oil capsule every day to keep topped up.
Handwashing helps to reduce colds as well as other things. In the winter I usually wash my hands when I have been out shopping etc. And if you around the little germ ones , try to avoid putting your hands to your face (eyes nose mouth) because that's the route the cold virus takes.
Exercise - e,g, half an hour day walking outdoors may help. Also, getting enough rest.
The immune system is incredibly complicated and, I think, fascinating.

I agree. Washing hands is the best thing to guard against infectiins.

DH went down with the dreadfull Noro Virus which causes extreme vomiting and , before I even picked him up off the bathroom floor I put on diposable plastic gloves ( which we had in the house because of a sick cat) and I kept wearing them for 3 days for the washings and everything, I didn't get it. Most people told me that whole families usually went down with it.

It has finally been proved that Vit C which most people have enough of anyway, does not reduce the amount of colds etc that you get.
Too much zinc can also be harmful.

I take nothing. But I do have 'flu jab and am considering a vaccination against pneumonia next winter.

I did Jane and last year too!

Did you have the flu vaccine, Kitty?
I have had one for the last two years and have not had anything resembling a cold or flu.

I have to take immuno suppressants - a couple of years ago, I seemed to catch everything going, and got it badly as well. My GP recommended I take a supplement of Vitamin C and Zinc. She is young, enthusiastic and very supportive, so of course I believe what she tells me. I'm also a bit Lady MacBeth these days, and wash my hands at every opportunity. Whatever the reason, I've sailed through the past year without catching bugs.

Actually the handwashing is a thought. I am careful to wash my hands at all the usual times and before e.g.doing things for the boys but would not have thoight of it after a goodnight hug or cuddle.

And eyes!

Wash hands as much as possible and avoid touching hands to your face, especially mouth and nose.

In the far corners of my mind I recall you need to take something along side zinc and think it might be Vit C. It could be worth checking.

Gaga, my understanding is that an auto-immune condition is the immune system attacking one's body. I have been on steroids (gradually reducing) for polymyalgia rheumatica for almost 3 years and have had very few colds, though I did have a very alarming attack of viral labyrinthitis. I seem to remember that Jess has information about this in her book:Your Intelligent Immune System.

This baffles me as the only processed food we eat regularly might be cured meats/bacon and even that isn't often. We have a good diet and, as I said, are reasonably fit for 65 and 68. We both seem to have spent this winter floored by something or another.

I suppose stress maybe comes into it too - what with mothers, poorly babies, nephews etc etc. I'm sure you are under a lot of pressure soutra.

If it was just one of us I'd be more worried!

I wonder if it's because we haven't had a cold winter to sort the little bug[ger]s out!

I can only suggest eating food as close to nature as possible. We do, lots of fruit and veg but deny ourselves nothing in proportion and rarely catch anything. Very rarely eat anything processed so we usually know what is in the food we ear. If we catch anything we do tend to get it much more mildly than anyone else.

I'm off to buy zinc!

Without wishing you any harm Soutra, it's comforting to know we aren't the only ones . I suspect they must be newer versions of the old bugs we managed to avoid.

Having had four colds December to February I started taking vitamin C and garlic. No colds since but guess I shall have to wait until next winter to see if it truly is working