Multiple viruses this year - is this usual once 60+?

Some years back I was told my blood test was "normal no action" and now I can look at historical blood tests on the NHS app I see thar my vitamin D level was low. Since seei g this result I have taken a Vitamin D high strength supplèment especially as since blood cancer treatment I keep out of the sun to avoid secondary skin cancer.
I think the vitamin D has helped with fatigue and low immunity. Cheap and easy to buy and take.

PS. I caught the first 'cold' from my teenage grandson who had tested negative for Covid. He is, of course, in excellent health now.

I've had a cold/cough for six weeks. Or rather, I've had one cold on top of another for all that time. When I think things are improving, along comes another set of symptoms. Now. having coughed on and on, now I have nasty-looking catarrh. Last week I requested an appointment with a GP and got one for this Wednesday. I wonder how that can make a difference, but it's worth asking, I suppose. At 84, I don't think I have ever had such a continuum of what seem to be several cold viruses.

love0c

No it is not normal. My advice - stay away from people that talk about getting old, having aches and pains, having more injections, getting free hearing aids just because they can etc etc. Oh and stop testing for covid!!!

How does that stop you catching a virus?

No it is not normal. My advice - stay away from people that talk about getting old, having aches and pains, having more injections, getting free hearing aids just because they can etc etc. Oh and stop testing for covid!!!

I had covid badly in 2022, they wanted to admit me to hospital but I decided I'd rather live or die in my bedroom rather than listen to a ward full of people coughing, I could hardly bear to listen to me let alone anyone else.

Since then the slightest sniffle ends up with a chest infection, curretnly on my 7th lot this year. I got through my 60s without any issues so I'm pretty sure my issue is long covid related.

I have had both flu and Covid vaccines recently ( about a month ago) - with no side effects.
Just recovering from a massive head cold with really violent sneezing! Then sore throat streaming nose and eyes and itchy ears.
Started Monday evening and only went out once that day to local shops, so could have been picked up from a cash point, or any one in my vicinity really.
This is the first “proper” cold for years well before the pandemic.
I’m 63 and not one for catching stuff much- I do wash my hands a lot, but even Covid back in March 2022 was ridiculously mild yet exhausting for about 10 days. But nothing else till now.🤗
Might wear a mask to go back to work.

I too have been ill more times this year than previous years. I put it down to my immune system not being exposed to infection during the pandemic. I am hoping it is temporary - rather like when you move house and come down with everything going on the neighbourhood until your system gets used to the new bugs.

IMO a lot of it’s down to luck and genes. My dd2 with no dcs gets every cold going, and had Covid quite badly, despite being ‘normally’ healthy and active - her partner never catches anything.
Dd1, OTOH, hardly ever gets colds, despite having 3 young children bringing bugs home - and had only a super-mild case of COVID.

I agree, I also had covid in Jan 2022 and s as l though it was fairly mild I had a couple of utis . I have not felt the same since with tiredness etc. I recently had covid again , this time much worse with fever and again utis! I’m 65, have just had my flu jab which made me feel ill too

I agree, I also had covid in Jan 2022 and s as l though it was fairly mild I had a couple of utis . I have not felt the same since with tiredness etc. I recently had covid again , this time much worse with fever and again utis! I’m 65, have just had my flu jab which made me feel ill too.

Maybe ask for a thyroid blood test. I had multiple sickness bugs one year and went to the doctor for tests, as it was so unusual. The blood test revealed that my thyroid levels were very low and I’ve been on tablets ever since. Very rarely catch a cold or anything now, despite grandchildren!

I think it must take longer to bounce back as you get older. We are in our late 60s, and a year ago I was bouncing around full of energy, going to the gym 3x a week and rarely ill. This year following two minor procedures with sedation, a bout of COVID and a sickness bug I have been exhausted for weeks. As soon as I start to recover something else has hit me. We have just been on holiday where there were a lot of other people and I have tried to avoid everyone coughing and sneezing around me for fear of getting something else now that I feel half decent again.
I do feel really cross with people who go out spreading their germs everywhere and refusing to test and stay away from people. Recently someone insisted on coming into the centre where we have classes after vomiting, and then threw up.several times. I think it's very irresponsible, there are some really frail people who attend there.
I hope you all feel better soon. I think rest is the only thing.

I could have written your post… I hope you are fully better v soon, but, yes, according to my lovely GP, when I was bewailing this situation just last week, it is so.

I seem to be one of a few who doesn’t pick up many viruses the last time I was ill was Covid last January I count myself lucky.

Babs. I had every Covid vaccine, now wish I hadn't. Was really ill after Astra Zeneca, the first one and not been right since

Babs03

I am in my late sixities and am exactly the same. Hardly ever came down with anything for years but now am getting viruses every couple of months or so, and like another poster I had a blood test imagining something must be wrong, but it came back 'no further action required'. I know I see the grandkids a fair bit and they are like Typhoid Mary, they get everything going, but surely my immune system should be stronger.
So far this year have had the flu, covid, the shingles, and several bad colds with a hacking cough.
Am wondering if having covid reduces a person's immunity?

We do need to be careful about viruses the GC or indeed GGC may have, this is part of the reason for RSV vaccination. If you are prone to chest infections it’s prudent to ask have the kids got any bugs before you visit.

I recently started Volunteering and have also seemed to pick up germs and viruses since then, clearly due to mixing with the general public. It’s a “warm space” too and I think that incubates germs as well! Previously, living alone and having maybe two visitors a year, I didn’t “mix” much at all (Church on Sundays).
I’m 77 and always have the vaccines offered. Flu and Covid jabs due next Monday. I was “too old” for the RSV one!

MOnica I'm sorry you had an allergic reaction to Echinacea. I suppose that possibility must be there with almost anything. (Think peanuts for example.)
OlderthanIthink compatibility with HRT is something you would need to ask your doctor about of course. The only medication I was on was for hbp and it didn't occur to me to ask about it. I just tried it, and the rest is history. I hope you try it and it works for you as it has done for me.

I am in my late sixities and am exactly the same. Hardly ever came down with anything for years but now am getting viruses every couple of months or so, and like another poster I had a blood test imagining something must be wrong, but it came back 'no further action required'. I know I see the grandkids a fair bit and they are like Typhoid Mary, they get everything going, but surely my immune system should be stronger.
So far this year have had the flu, covid, the shingles, and several bad colds with a hacking cough.
Am wondering if having covid reduces a person's immunity?

Thank you OlderthanIthink. The NHS were wonderful.

janeainsworth

I think it’s a post-Covid thing.
I had Covid (not badly) in Jan 22. During the next 18 months I had several colds and 3 UTI’s.
I’ve had nothing at all 🤞🤞🤞since September 23.
I’m convinced the virus had a longterm effect on my immune system.
I hope you’re feeling better soon OP.

Thank you. Yes, it's turned a corner this evening - I don't feel like I need ibuprofen to stop me feeling dreadful. I agree, I think Covid may either have compromised our immune systems OR having such a long time in lockdown, we didn't keep our natural immunity in balance by being exposed to bugs.

Kate1949

My husband was hospitalised in May with the most awful virus. It just came out of the blue. He never gets colds, has never had a chest infection. He was taken to A&E where we had an 8 hour wait to see a doctor. They admitted him and pumped him full of goodness knows what. All good now 🤞

Sorry to hear this, it must have been very worrying. Glad all is okay now. 💐

Milliedog

OlderthanI think - The last 2 Covid vaccines made my heart rate fly all over the place. I won't have another one, either. I've had Covid twice, neither times was it too bad, and have Long Covid. And for the first time, I've just had Norovirus - and that was awful!

There's certainly a link between palpitations and the Covid vaccine. I think everyone has to weigh up risks vs benefits, bearing in mind that infection can also cause the kind of symptoms I have had.

I'm tempted to try Echinacea but, is it compatible with HRT? I can ask my GP at my next review appointment.