How often do you get sick?

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
I realize some of you are dealing with chronic health concerns and issues. Excluding that, and also excluding Covid, I’m curious how often you come down with a cold, stomach virus, strep, any of those nagging random ailments that bug us all from time to time.

The question is as a result of a conversation ron and I had about our own illnesses. Ron had pneumonia about five years ago, and we have both had a cold or two in that time. I’ve had a couple of UTIs, and he Had a bout of bronchitis that was mild. Other than that, we just couldn’t think of anything else and we’re surprised at the infrequency with which we fall ill.

What about you?
 

It depends. Sometimes when I'm out and about, I catch colds easier (from other people), but when I stay home more, not as much. Other things that help me: getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, keeping the house warm enough, and changing the air filters often. Vitamin C and Vitamin D are also my daily vitamins.
 
I used to get colds and flu every year when I was working, and had to be around a lot of people. However, now that we moved to a rural area years ago, I can only recall one time where I was "upchucking" with the flu, and have only had a half dozen colds in the past 10 or 15 years. Most of my doctor trips are the annual checkups, and getting some of my old teeth fixed.....Knock Wood.
 
It's been many years since I had a cold or the flu and thankfully rarely get sick. In my childhood and younger years, things were different and I was sick every year. I stopped taking an annual flu shot a couple of decades ago, the last time I had the flu was while I was still taking the shot. I may start taking them in the future if I have a change of heart.

In my early thirties, I started using more vitamins and supplements, and I think my immune system is stronger in my later years due to that. I also always took extra during cold and flu season, used wipes on my shopping carts as soon as they started to provide them, and wash my hands as soon as I get home. I think all of these things help. If someone is sneezing and hacking in a store, I give them a wide berth and try to avoid contact with their spray.
 
I just don't get colds usually.... I get one maybe once every decade, if that..., had the flu once, years ago..never had the flu jab... ...but I've had pneumonia twice..once as a child and again as an adult..

I do get strep throats occasionally, and I definitely suffer from stomach ailments..regularly...

I take Vitamins.. every day, I'm almost OCD about hand-washing .. don't smoke or drink alcohol, and don't eat spicy or acidic foods...yet my stomach has a life of it's own..:rolleyes:
 
Rarely have colds since I retired. When I did it always hit me hard. Being fastidious about hand washing makes a big difference. Even pre-Covid I‘d give my hands a quick spray with sanitizer if the situation warranted it.

Airplanes were the worst place for catching a cold.
 
Jules said:
Rarely have colds since I retired. When I did it always hit me hard. Being fastidious about hand washing makes a big difference. Even pre-Covid I‘d give my hands a quick spray with sanitizer if the situation warranted it.

Airplanes were the worst place for catching a cold.
Click to expand...
I bought my first bottles of hand sanitizer at the beginning of the coronavirus, never used that before except from the dispensers at the gym I used to go to. Now I have a small bottle in each of my vehicles and use it after shopping at the supermarket.
 
headcolds-2017-age.JPG
https://www.statista.com/statistics/684010/frequency-of-catching-colds-adults-us-by-age/

So the majority of we seniors 1 to 3 head colds annually. Children average 6 to 8 head colds per year, adults less though varies with age. I will not believe anyone here in the USA that went to public schools that relates they never caught head colds. Being in close proximity with sick others over increasing time correlates with increasing sickness. Some of all adult ages depending on career and life situation may have had a life where they spent little time indoors with others. As the graph shows, more of we seniors do not get sick annually. Some of that especially for those retired, is obviously due to less interactions indoors with others but also may reflect individual immune systems. Some seniors that claim they don't get sick may just be reflecting on their recent decades while others may have led a life in rural areas.

Personally I and every kid I knew frequently had winter head colds. As an adult, I learned how to not catch head colds despite working decades in offices and labs full of sick people during usual times of year. I greatly dislike being sick and suspect it ages a person more each time. I start to catch rhinoviruses about as often as others, however know how to stop an infection that is not something any others are likely aware of. In recent decades maybe 3 or 4 per decade including influenza about a decade ago with shingles following. Note I've had a flu shot each year over decades.
 
I used to get at least one cold, every winter. Have not had one since Covid mask-up. I used to get bronchitis, and needed an inhaler. We intend to mask up every winter, Covid or no Covid.
 
Ronni said:
How often do you get sick?

I realize some of you are dealing with chronic health concerns and issues. Excluding that, and also excluding Covid, I’m curious how often you come down with a cold, stomach virus, strep, any of those nagging random ailments that bug us all from time to time.

The question is as a result of a conversation ron and I had about our own illnesses. Ron had pneumonia about five years ago, and we have both had a cold or two in that time. I’ve had a couple of UTIs, and he Had a bout of bronchitis that was mild. Other than that, we just couldn’t think of anything else and we’re surprised at the infrequency with which we fall ill.

What about you?
Click to expand...
Funny you should ask. I got the first signs of a cold yesterday. It is now 2:47 AM and here I am writing on the computer because my throat is sore, my nose is starting to "run" and I can't sleep .....
 
I am one of the lucky ones, I do not get sick and as for the flu, no, but I do know I am a carrier like thousands of people. That is why it is important to have the flu vaccination and that is why I have it to keep my family safe, same with covid.
 
I have not had a cold in years. When I worked I was very careful to wash my hands often. I kept a bottle of hand sanitizer on my desk and used it every time I left and came back plus I had another bottle in the car and used it the same way. I worked for a home health agency and had to go to patients' homes so I had to be very aware of protecting myself as well as the patients. I had the flu once many years ago and I swore I would not allow that to happen to me again so I get my flu shot every year. I guess the only illness I have had recently was a bad reaction to my second Covid shot - fever, headache and nausea for about 24 hours. I do try to eat correctly, take vitamins, get enough sleep, etc.
 
I got Covid back in April. That was about the first time I've been sick in bed in probably a couple years. But that's not counting heart issues, allergy issues, bad back that gives out every once in awhile, etc, etc.
Actually I'm very glad I got covid. It was about as bad as the flu, but now I have good strong natural antibodies, which according to the study in Israel is way better immunity protection than the poke.
 
TooMuchMuktuk said:
I got Covid back in April. That was about the first time I've been sick in bed in probably a couple years. But that's not counting heart issues, allergy issues, bad back that gives out every once in awhile, etc, etc.
Actually I'm very glad I got covid. It was about as bad as the flu, but now I have good strong natural antibodies, which according to the study in Israel is way better immunity protection than the poke.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I had the flu 38 years ago & never since, even though I've cared for several friends & family with the flu. Never had a flu shot.
 
I haven't had a cold or flu in over 10 years. I had a UTI earlier this year and before that probably 50 years ago.

But I do also have chronic illnesses.
 
Last edited:
I don't get colds often, now that I'm not constantly surrounded by children. Probably one every winter. I haven't had any illnesses like the flu, strep throat, etc. in so long I can't recall the last time.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top