Poor Immune System

I've had a nice trip to Isle of Wight last week and brought home with me a horrendous cough and cold. I had similar last year and ended coughing non stop for about 2 months.

I am feeling better now although still coughing my guts up, but the space in between is longer.

Funnily enough before I read this, I emailed my two children to say I must be more vigilant with hand washing and for them not be offended if I wash my hands round their places and a lot more here when the grandchildren come to visit. They were both fine about it.

My immune system seems shot and I have tried everything under the sun to try to improve it, so now I am thinking prevention is better than cure.

I wash my hands after being out, but sometimes forget, I won't in future. Also before eating whilst out. Another thing that might be worth mentioning is, don't touch your face or eyes. You can pass germs on through the tear ducts apparently. I am guilty of this as sometimes my eyes water and then the make runs a bit and I use my hand to rub it away, I will use tissue in future.

Hi. I'm new to these forums so have been interested to read through this thread. I get one infection after another. I look after my two baby grandsons and they always seem to have colds etc. The trouble is that a common cold can really floor me for a week or more and often ends up sigh a sinus infection. I find that I can't drink even a couple of glasses of wine or I will be sure to catch something soon afterwards. That's easily enough avoided but annoying. I'm a retired teacher and thought things would improve when I retired but not so. I'm thinking of having the flu jab next winter to see if that helps.

rubylady A cleanse would probably strip out all your natural balance of candida and other things, leaving you more, not less, likely to suffer. Our digestive system is self-regulating, if we give it a chance and don't try to take over all its functions for it. It has been doing this for thousands of years longer than we have even known of the existence of our internal flora.

Have to say, Rubylady that there is no scientific evidence behind this "alternative" idea that lots of people are infested with candida and need special diets to clear it up. Candida is a common infection of the mouth and vagina and other damp crevices. Very occasionally it spreads elsewhere but that would be in people who have a massively damaged immune system e.g. very ill with AIDS.
The candida is not held in check by the failing immune system. But this is very rare. Alternative practitioners presumably make money out of "set tests" and advising on exclusion diets.
I read one of those books once and had a good laugh at the reasoning
1. candida is caused by a species of yeast
2. therefore all foods that contain any yeasts or have any yeasts in the making thereof will promote candida.
3. And while we are at it, fungi are related to yeasts so give them up as well
4. so you must give up mushrooms, bread, marmite etc

Have a look on youtube and do the "spit test" for* Candida*. It can lower your immune system and needs to be got rid of by diet.

I was told by my GP that my immune sytem was low and so I now take a spray vitamin D and manuka honey which both boost immunity.

I have got a book on Candida though and will look into it and maybe do a cleanse. It won't do me any harm and could do some good.

After coming back from Italy with a really nasty chest virus caught from the air conditioning in the last hotel, I was dreading the winter colds doing the rounds. It took me nearly 2 months before I felt anything like normal over the summer which included two visits to A&E with breathing problems. Luckily we are now into February and so far so good. I belong to a few groups, meeting up most days with quite a few people. Some have had colds and really should have stayed at home. I usually make a joke of it and back off saying after the virus, I didn't want to risk another chest infection as they really knock me about. I don't think anyone has been offended as yet and quite honestly I don't care as I think they are being a bit anti-social spreading germs unnecessarily. As you can see by my username I am a square dancer (2 days a week and a Scottish Country dancer another 2, plus a couple of keep fit classes), I always, always wash my hands before having refreshments and when I get home. The dancing obviously uses lots of hand holding so germs passed on are unavoidable. Hope by posting this I haven't put a jinx on things and end up with a cold before the summer comes, when I shall start the hay fever season!!

vicky hi, and glad your treatment for cancer worked (I assume as it was a few years back). My mother was an asthmatic and had us all trained to avoid her like the plague if we had colds.
I agree that tact is misplaced.How about making an annual announcement (every October maybe) on Facebook or via email as in "With the cold and flu season approaching I dread catching these winter viruses that always seem to turn into nasty chest infections. I'm told it's an after-effect of chemo. I do what I can to protect myself, including getting an annual flu jab. I'd be really grateful if all my regular contacts had a flu jab too. And if you have cold symptoms can we have a nice chat on the phone please, rather than meeting face to face. I won't be offended if you cancel something at short notice. Thanks for your care and consideration."
And then mention it as well to people when you see them. Tell them you'd rather they let you know if they have a cold so you can decide to back out of a coffee morning or whatever.

As to looking after yourself, well an ordinary balanced healthy diet is probably the best way, and you will get all the vitamins and minerals you need. There is plenty of vitamin C and zinc in a mixed diet with plenty of fruit and veg. No real evidence that supplements may a crumb of difference and they are probably a waste of money.
One exception - I do take cod liver oil capsules (although the evidence they prevent colds is weak). I think we are all a bit low in this vitamin in the winter and its hard to get enough from food. Nobody seems to have a good explanation why we get more colds in winter - so low Vitamin D could be partly to blame.
One thing that was shown to help reduce colds, in a study of middle aged women, was to get outdoors and have a brisk walk in the fresh air, every day if possible.
And of course wash your hands thoroughly when you have been out and about as many viral infections are caught via hands picking up the virus and transferring them to eyes/nose/mouth. (don't recommend that hand washing thread on GN though - enough to trigger OCD!)
Though I have to confess... when my son had chemo which wiped his immune system for a couple of months (before a stem cell transplant) I became VERY paranoid and ever since I've not fancied pastries etc that are left around unwrapped and uncovered all day for people to sneeze over and touch.

sallyswin I hope your SIL and daughter are on the mend now and can enjoy their new kitchen - there's nothing worse than having the house upside down and being ill! Vickymeldrew (and all of you with reduced immune systems) you have to tell everyone to keep their distance when they're ill. If people are sensible they will understand. When my mum was in care the slightest sniffle or tummy upset kept the patient in their room to stop it spreading and visitors were told in no uncertain terms not to visit if they were ill. My niece was receiving cancer treatment last year and we all knew that if we had any ailments to keep away. I don't have any problems with my immune system but was very ill 5 years ago with a flu virus which destroyed the olfactory nerve and took away my sense of smell and taste permanently. I had a similar thing again this Christmas which took weeks to clear up so also want to do my best to keep clear of such bugs. It seems only sensible to me if I'm ill to cancel a visit or a trip so as not to pass it on - shame others don't think the same way!

I agree with everything said here. I too get chest infections and breathing problems if exposed to germs. I tell people now and generally they understand. Unfortunately there are germs on everything we have to touch. Cash machines, shopping trolleys, banisters, door handles etc. I too carry hand steriliser and use First Defence and wash hands endlessly.

Midgey thanks for the black nail polish tip, will definitely try that. Tried the duct tape remedy but it kept coming off.

I have never had any trouble telling people to keep away on this issue. Your needs far exceed theirs.
As does anyone elses' with this sort of problem.

Wish I could get help with my immune system,I have colds all winter,
can't go out!

Oh, I do sympathise! My immune system is terrible as I am asthmatic and have to take antibiotics at the first sign of a cold going down on to my chest as it could easily turn into bronchitis or pneumonia, which I have had once and wouldn't want to repeat. I still have a nasty chest/sinus virus which I picked up at the British Museum (which was packed with tourists) 5 weeks ago. To make matters worse, it's one of those viruses which seems to be getting better and then gets worse again. It also seems to morph into various other symptoms. So far I have had: a high temperature, which only lasted one day, a persistent cough, blocked sinuses, aches and pains like flu ( I have had my flu jab) wheezing, and a constant sweaty feeling. My brother-in-law, who lives in Berlin has the same symptoms exactly, so it must be an international bug! I took the antibiotics about two weeks in to stop it going on to my chest, but although they did stop that happening, the virus still goes on its merry way in other parts of my body! I am terrified of travelling now as I always seem to pick up something and, yes, I do use First Defence. We are going away soon and i am contemplating using a face mask on the plane as well as the FD!

If anyone goes to hug me and it's obvious they have a streaming cold I back off! Tactless? Maybe but better than being ill.
Be careful about touching anything they have touched eg a pen, cutlery, a cup etc and wash your hands!!

If it's one of the DGC what do you do when they want a cuddle? Kiss the top of their heads not their faces, cuddle them (and wash your hands afterwards).

Advice on tact would be appreciated please.
Honestly, my advice would be to drop the tact. Just say exactly what you have said here - "I easily pick up chest infections and colds and have developed bronchiecstasis because of this. A simple infection takes around three months (and lots of antibiotics ) for me to get rid of. " Then just add - "so I'd appreciate it if you'd steer clear of me if you have any viruses or infections, even just a cold. We can catch up later."

There is no way anyone could construe that as rude. And if they do, they're not worth having in your life.

I swear by the cold defence nasal sprays! The Boots one is fine and Aldi do one too. We use them before flights and in the winter I use it before going into large groups, and busy places. Also if you use it when your OH starts a cold, it can prevent you getting it.!

I have to stay in most of the winter as I get colds so easily,and
they last for weeks. I have a terrible immune system,would give
anything for some help,I tried First Defence,but it didn't help.

Re getting rid of verrucas as mentioned in an earlier post, there was a programme about this on telly some time ago which found that a very good cure was to cover the verruca with a piece of duct tape ,leave it on for a week, remove it and gently pumice the area, then repeat it . I tried it on a very small one and it worked a treat! Re colds, I take Echinacea as soon as possible after being in contact with anyone with a cold, and(touch wood) haven't had a cold for about two years.

I've been on immuno suppressants for several years. A cold can morph into a chest infection and thence to pneumonia in the blinking of an eye. My GP recommended I take Vitamin C and zinc in a cheap combined pill as she says, the research confirms it helps the immune system.

i was significantly ill last year as a result of complications following a chest infection. That seems to have helped close friends and family to fully realise the need to keep away if they have infections. Be up front about it vickymedrew, most people will respond positively

Weekend before last DSinL developed a Pulmonary Embolism. A&E and sent home with drugs and told to rest. Monday morning their Kitchen refit started and workmen arrived boasting they had flu. And yes they did, but by then they were in the house and the damage was done. So now DSinL is recovering from flu as well as the embolism, and DD started her flu while in London for work on Thursday. Kitchen is finished!

Vicky you have a serious health issue and it is certainly not for you to be the tactful one. Just tell it straight, and let your friends know that you are vulnerable to infection so would appreciate knowing if any of them have a cold or such like. This gives you the choice/upperhand to deal with the situation as it suits you - not them. Good friends will thoroughly appreciate this approach as they should have your welfare as a priority.

There used to be a public info' film on T.V,'Coughs and sneezes spread diseases'. We don't seem to have learned anything.I absolutely hate it when people sneeze,straight at you.I agree with all posts about how it can make everyone so ill.
The Japanese wear paper masks a lot,either to protect themselves or others.I just try to avoid people with colds.I feel doomed if I have picked anyone up in the car and they have a bad cold.

RAF, yes, this is a very difficult point. My children are obviously aware of my problem and take great care not to ask me to have their children (if at all possible) if they are unwell with this type of bug and I am really grateful.

There have been occasions when my husband has stepped in but then he is at risk and so, therefore am I! As we all know, it is impossible to stop small children from sneezing with gusto but if I do see my slightly unwell DGC, I implement all of the above and above all, wash my hands a zillion times.

This is the first year of my 'new' regime and they have not been really ill, only minor sniffles but I have been with a sick, sneezy (but he did it correctly, into his elbow) SIL and have been fine. It's great!!

Firstly I sorry to hear you had this cancer scare.
I have been told that the medication I have to take has lowered my white blood cells.
However many years ago, you may remember the doc on the Richard and Judy programme. He mentioned about taking zinc, which I started to take and I feel they really work. I have only had a cold twice now since taking them, both times it didn't last long, a day or so.
Strangely to say, both times I caught the cold when at the supermarket.

I had thought about posting on this vein before vickymeldrew but wondered if I were a wooze, so didn't - I am therefore delighted that vickymeldrew has opened this topic up!

I am similar Teacher11 and write off January and February as one cold becomes a chest infection (then another) with three courses of antibiotics and steroids - it really can put a damper on one's life. I always tell myself there are worse things - which there are - but much of this is preventable, so very annoying.

I was so fed up with being ill at this time of the year that I decided to stop being passive and have started an personal offensive and .......... have not yet been ill. This may just be coincidence, luck, or the bugs that normally attack me are not around, who knows? My point (eventually!) is that my using the following I have not been ill.

I. I do use First Defence at the first sign of a runny nose. (Doctor DD says it is complete and utter rubbish but it seems to have worked.....)
2. smear a small amount of Vaseline up and into each nostril when travelling on the underground or bus
4. religiously wash hands when coming back into the house
5. wash hands before eating (should do, but didn't always!)
6. and this does seem a bit extreme but as I said, I am desperate not to be ill again... carry antiseptic hand wash which I use if I eat anything 'on the run' out of the house, be it a satsuma or a sarnie
7. gargle with dispersible aspirin at the first sign of a sore throat
8. use a salt water gargle at the first sign of a sore throat
9. actively get up and move away if another passenger begins to sneeze. Previously I had thought it would look rude, so stayed sat but now, the new me upsticks as far away as possible from the 'sneezee'!

My friends all know to stay away if they have a cold but there was still one just a week ago, who gaily said 'I have a bit of a cold, you don't mind do you?', with a smile. Grrr. She then proceeded to sneeze merrily away into her hand (and was the first person to pass dishes around the table(!) and of course, would go onto everything she touched. I debated long and hard with myself whether to explain how TO sneeze (i.e. into one's elbow). I did so, gently and I THINK she is still my friend........

I have just googled sneezes and they travel at 100mph and can reach 200'!

Gosh, I didn't realise there was so quite much! However, I can now walk upstairs - and breathe; see my family; make plans and actually enjoy these months. No longer am I sitting panting, gasping for breath; using box loads of drugs (and of course, am saving the NHS huge amounts); no rush trips to the GP or A and E for nebululisers - it's a joy!

Does anyone else have a similar regime, or have any other tips for a happy healthy chest?

And be very careful to avoid getting dirt into any cuts. Gloves are absolutely essential when gardening etc.