Boost Immune System??

[gate_pourri]

I am in the midst of fighting my 5th cold since the beginning of October and could really use some ideas on how to boost my immune system. I do not know if this is 5 different colds, or the same one that goes dormant for a few weeks and than comes back??? I did ask my doctor when I went for an unrelated thing back in November (during cold #3) and he said it was nothing to worry about, and is because I live & work downtown and am around a lot of germs. I don't totally buy that, since I've lived and worked in the same place for 5 years, but...

Anyway, back to the original question: immune system? I already take a daily multivitiman. During the colds, I add echinacea and zinc. Is there anything else I should/could be doing?

 

[Christine]

First of all, you can't overly boost an immune system with anything special. The fact that you are responding to colds and getting colds, shows that your immune system is functioning and functioning well.

If you come across a cold virus you have never met before and it gets into your nose and eyes, your immune system will mount a response and you will suffer. It's not like you come into contact with a cold germ and your immune system says "Nah, she's been sleeping right and eating well and she's really healthy, so I guess I can overpower this cold germ and she won't feel a thing." That's just not how it works.

So, basically, unless you have a long-term sinus infection that is not getting cured, you have come across five different rhinoviruses/adenoviruses that you've never had before. Due to either not enough handwashing or touching your face with infected hands, you introduced them into your body.

Your best defense is:

1. Frequent handwashing
2. Don't touch your face if you can help it.
3. Take Vitamin D in the winter so that you suffer less with things
4. Read "Ah-Choo: The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold" for some understanding on you catch colds and prevent them.

 

[anniemae]

I think the most important thing is to eat healthy, lots of fruits and veggies. Especially fruits high in vit C.

Also wash wash wash your hands. You can pick up germs on door knobs, hand rails etc.

And, don't touch your face, that is how most viruses are spread, by touching your eyes, mouth or nose after touching germs.

I am not a huge believer in hand sanitizers, but I do carry a small one in my purse for those times when I can't wash my hands in a sink. I have a friend who insists I use sanitizer after ordering in a restaurants. When I asked her why she does this she said, " think about those menu's, they are never washed and so many people handle them who have colds, sneeze in them, cough on them, drop them on the floor......"

 

[Christine]

.

I am not a huge believer in hand sanitizers, but I do carry a small one in my purse for those times when I can't wash my hands in a sink. I have a friend who insists I use sanitizer after ordering in a restaurants. When I asked her why she does this she said, " think about those menu's, they are never washed and so many people handle them who have colds, sneeze in them, cough on them, drop them on the floor......"

Me too!

The other "hot spot" is magazines in doctor's offices.

 

[HeatherC]

I am a big believer in boosting the immune system.

We take a multi vitamin, extra vitamin D and a probiotic every day.

I swear it has helped our family not get sick as much....and when we do get sick, we recover much quicker.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think the best thing anyone can do for their immune system is to get enough sleep. If your sleep is disrupted your whole body is thrown off and people always underestimate sleep. Our bodies are elegantly sophisticated machines but they demand certain basic needs be met in order to function properly and those are sleep, water and a reasonable diet with enough protein, fats and sugar/carbs to keep things moving along (almost everything else can come from the vitamins you are having daily).

To be honest though, I think what you are describing sounds more like a mold allergy than a cold. It would be weird for an adult to get sick that often. On the other hand, mold spores spike and drop off frequently. I guess the best way to tell if its an allergy or not is to follow procedures for allergy prevention and try one of the allergy meds OTC. If this helps, you have an answer.

 

[anniemae]

HeatherC-I keep hearing more and more positive things about probiotics, what do you use?

 

[golfgal]

Are you sure they are colds and not allergies or overly dry rooms? Allergies can and do pop up over time and it is very possible with the number of "colds" you have had as an adult that you may be suffering from allergies and not a cold. I RARELY get colds but my allergies, which popped up about 4-5 years ago, get worse each year.

 

[gate_pourri]

I am a big believer in boosting the immune system.

We take a multi vitamin, extra vitamin D and a probiotic every day.

I swear it has helped our family not get sick as much....and when we do get sick, we recover much quicker.

Thanks! I already take a daily probiotic (Align) for some digestive issues... and started taking a Vit. D a few weeks ago, although, not as regularly as I should. I'll have to add it to my daily routine and try not to forget it.

 

[gate_pourri]

To be honest though, I think what you are describing sounds more like a mold allergy than a cold. It would be weird for an adult to get sick that often. On the other hand, mold spores spike and drop off frequently. I guess the best way to tell if its an allergy or not is to follow procedures for allergy prevention and try one of the allergy meds OTC. If this helps, you have an answer.

That is a possibility. I am sure 2 of them were colds. The first one was brutal (coughing up some lovely stuff. mild fever, etc.) & the second one came after 3 weeks of traveling through Europe, with the whole last week stuck in a very small hotel rooms with a sick travel companion. It was inevitable that I'd get it too. The last 3 have been pretty mild... mostly coughing and a majorly runny nose (I am starting to look like Rudolph). I'll look into some allergy meds for a few days and see if it helps. Thanks!

 

[HeatherC]

AnnieMae....The probiotic I take is Culturelle. Most studied....lactobacillus.

I actually started taking it for lymphocytic colitis...the immune boost is a nice bonus for me.

 

[FireDancer]

I take a daily multi-vitamin along with some additional Vitamin D and echinacea (2 weeks on 2 weeks off). Having a diet that includes fruit and vegetables which avoids as much processed food as possible along with daily exercise is also beneficial to the immune system. I still get sick every now and then but I'll catch something from someone who is sick for 2 weeks and many times I kick it in a day or two.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am in the midst of fighting my 5th cold since the beginning of October and could really use some ideas on how to boost my immune system. I do not know if this is 5 different colds, or the same one that goes dormant for a few weeks and than comes back??? I did ask my doctor when I went for an unrelated thing back in November (during cold #3) and he said it was nothing to worry about, and is because I live & work downtown and am around a lot of germs. I don't totally buy that, since I've lived and worked in the same place for 5 years, but...

Anyway, back to the original question: immune system? I already take a daily multivitiman. During the colds, I add echinacea and zinc. Is there anything else I should/could be doing?

To me it sounds like allergies. I think you are barking up the wrong tree.

 

[jenm2878]

I swear by a daily vitamin, not obsessing about germs, and daily exercise.

My DH was a bit of a couch potato and was big on hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial everything. He was sick 5 times last year. I run 20-25 miles a week and wash my hands with plain soap and water when appropriate (but don't over wash), and I was sick once last year. He's since started running and threw out the hand sanitizer, and he hasn't been sick in months. (If only I could break him of the anti-bacterial soaps!)

 

[yoopermom]

Do you have a live Christmas tree in your house? We put one up a few weeks ago, and within three days had to take it down because I had a terrible allergic reaction (I'm allergic to dust and mold). I googled it and found out that if you have mold allergies, they worsen the longer the tree is in your house.

Overall, I find that my allergies are worse during the time period you're talking about, and my allergist has told me that allergy sufferers are more prone to colds and upper respiratory infections, as well. No fun, I know!

Terri

 

[goofy!]

First of all, you can't overly boost an immune system with anything special.

Actually, there is some "special stuff" I have to give myself weekly injections of Neupogen to boost my immune system due to neutropenia. It is wonderful stuff. I work in a kindergarten where the kids have been sicker than dogs and hacking all over you constantly. I have yet to catch anything. However, I don't think the OP wants to go that route as each injection is $600.00. (Thank goodness for good insurance.)

Interestingly, my OB/GYN said that they are now testing for vitamin D levels. Even here in Colorado, the sunshine state, the docs are finding low levels of D. Sure enough, my blood work came back low in D.

So, vitamin D supplements are a good choice.

Other than that, my hematologist supports the other suggestions: lots of handwashing, don't touch your face, etc, and a good multivitamin.

However, steer clear of overzealous use of hand sanitizers and antibacterial products. Stick with good ole' soap and water, washing for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday.

Most alcohol based hand sanitizers kill the good germs with the bad and too much use of it will actually be counter productive. Using it in a pinch is ok, but people who slather it on at every opportunity are not doing themselves any favors.

 

[Christine]

Actually, there is some "special stuff" I have to give myself weekly injections of Neupogen to boost my immune system due to neutropenia. It is wonderful stuff. I work in a kindergarten where the kids have been sicker than dogs and hacking all over you constantly. I have yet to catch anything. However, I don't think the OP wants to go that route as each injection is $600.00. (Thank goodness for good insurance.)

Okay, let me rephrase my original statement.

If you are an otherwise healthy person with no immune system issues then there is really nothing you can go out and do/buy/ingest to boost your immune system. If you have labwork done and all is well, you have a healthy immune system.

Proper sleep, staying fit, and good nutrition will help you weather whatever comes your way but won't necessarily stop it.

 

[goofy!]

Okay, let me rephrase my original statement.

If you are an otherwise healthy person with no immune system issues then there is really nothing you can go out and do/buy/ingest to boost your immune system. If you have labwork done and all is well, you have a healthy immune system.

Proper sleep, staying fit, and good nutrition will help you weather whatever comes your way but won't necessarily stop it.

I was just kidding you, hopefully good-naturedly.

My hematologist (whom I see far too often) agrees with you completely. There really isn't anything you can do except for taking care of yourself properly.

Balanced diet
proper sleep
regular exercise
good multi-vitamin
proper personal hygiene - but not obsessive. That actually compromises your immune system more.

 

[m&m's mom]

OK here's our situation:
1 have 2 DD's and DH and I.
We all have gone years and years between colds- I literally cannot remember the last cold any of us had.
What we do is at the 1st sign of an empending cold we start sucking on zinc lozenges or taking generic Airborne. It has stopped the cold for all 4 of us 100%.
We also take proactively if we are travelling or going to be around germy people.

 

[Christine]

I was just kidding you, hopefully good-naturedly.

My hematologist (whom I see far too often) agrees with you completely. There really isn't anything you can do except for taking care of yourself properly.

Balanced diet
proper sleep
regular exercise
good multi-vitamin
proper personal hygiene - but not obsessive. That actually compromises your immune system more.

Yes, I took you good naturedly! I just thought I'd make myself VERY clear because sometimes, on this board, if I make a general statement there is always that rare person who is the exception, so I figured I would "refine" my earlier post.