lennyk

So far this year every month and a half i get sick and take a few weeks to be on the road to regain fitness.
Also everytime i go on plane.
Rather frustrating.

Carbonfiberboy 

If you travel a lot, never eat anything without washing your hands first.

Good diet seems to help. Natural foods, organic, etc.

Machka 

Avoid people ... especially, avoid children.


If you have to be around people, you might consider wearing a mask, like many Asians do. And yes, wash your hands (all the way up to the elbows) ... and face too. Soap and water.


And then in general, get lots of sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get lots of fresh air, don't drink, don't smoke ....


A question ... have you had your tonsils out? Have you been to a Dr to get your immunity level checked?

CbadRider

+1 for hand washing. Don't touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth unless you've washed your hands.

I carry antibacterial wipes when I fly and wipe down the tray table thoroughly if I'm going to use it.

GeorgeBMac

+1

But also, we think of bugs and infections as a yes/no - clean/unclean kind of thing. But in actuality, the bugs are everywhere. Even after a bath, your body is covered with the little critters. And, your mouth is the dirtiest part of your body -- even after brushing your teeth.

In addition, we think that we get sick when we are infected with a bug and then the antibiotic kills the bug and we are back to being clean and germ free again...

The truth is really much more grey... We are covered with and constantly surrounded by bugs. They are in us, on us and around us.

So, what protects us? Our immune system. It is the most powerful antibiotic you can buy. But you don't have to buy it -- which is good because you could never, ever afford it. It is arguably one of the most complex systems in you incredibly complex body. But, fortunately, it comes free with the original 8# package of pink squirming, crying flesh.

So, while things like handwashing can help to limit infections by limiting exposure, your immune system is the primary defense.

But, although it is free, it is not maintenance free. It needs some TLC to function at its best. While not a lot is known about caring for the immune system, it is believed that the best way is a combination of good nutrition (eat your fruits and vege's) AND good solid sleep -- both in quantity and quality. That is, even if you get the standard 8 hours -- if it is poor quality from say sleep apnea or trying to sleep on a plane, you and your immune system will not be functioning at their best. Also, jet lag can interfere with sleep which can again compromise your immune system.

Other things like certain drugs and diseases (like diabetes) can also reduce the effectiveness of your immune system.

So, while I strongly support the sanitation actions like handwashing, if I was getting sick every 6 weeks, I would be looking at my immune system to see if it is compromised in any way...

ursle

Get a tongue scrapper and use it mornings and evenings, simple inexpensive, absolutely reliable.
Drink more water, room temp or warmer, not cold

Carbonfiberboy 

Really? What do either of those things do? Assuming of course that one is not constantly dehydrated, which most people are not.

late

Go see your Doc, something is wrong.

Sounds like too much of something (work or overtraining or...) has you run down.
My RX (I'm not a Doc, just an old fart) is chicken livers and fruit, especially
kiwi/pineapple/papya. Eat at least a few berries daily for a while.

While you are talking to your Doc ask for a blood test to look for nutritional deficiencies.

Juha

See your Doc first.

If there's nothing drastically wrong, a Neti pot might help. I use similar pot, and have noticed it helps with allergy symptoms and otherwise clogged nose. It's not a cure-all, but I used to catch a cold easily, and the saline rinse seems to reduce that frequency. In my case the important thing was realising the (suggested) daily routine is too often, now I rinse maybe 3-4 times a week.

--J

ursle

Is it your intention to ask why not cold water but you just blurted out a question?
Scraping the tongue kills all the bacteria living peacefully on it, hydrating properly should be done by everyone, some don't, it should be actively pursued when in an unhealthy state.
Simple, easy, often overlooked, common sense approach to better health,jmho,ymmv

Carbonfiberboy 

I see. Ayurvedic medicine. Tongue scraping may or may not reduce halitosis, if one has such a problem. It certainly doesn't kill bacteria involved with dental caries and halitosis, just slightly reduces their population. Even better, embark on a course of dental hygiene as recommended by a dentist. I know of no studies linking tongue bacteria to the common cold. The just-drink-more-water thing has long been disproven.

Neti pot, OTOH, is quite effective for minor sinus irritations which can lead to the sinuses harboring bacteria and viruses. I think that's worth a try by the OP.

Standalone 

I also find that gardening boosts my immune system. Seriously. I think that the benign fungi and bacteria in the soil really keeps the immune system primed. Get a little dirt under yer nails.

GeorgeBMac

I doubt that there are any magical, external things you can do or take that will boost the immune system anymore or any better than your body can...

... So essentially that simply means taking care of your body with good nutrition (with vitamins, nutrients, minerals via mostly fruits and vegetables -- and meat has some too) and adequate sleep...

I know I am far more likely to get sick shortly after some major project that has kept me stressed out, not eating right and not getting enough rest -- where I simply over-extended myself... The body has to build all those macrophages and neutrifils and T-Cells and such and if it doesn't have the right nutrients or it is spending all its energy on some project then it cannot build and maintain the myriad pieces of its immune system.

There are so many misconceptions about the immune system: Like "Cold gives you a cold"... Like many "truths", that is partly true. If you go out without your hat and gloves and boots in cold, snowy weather, your body may become overly chilled and have to divert resources from things like the immune system in order to deal with the hypothermia...

In short, listen to your mother! Eat your vege's, get to bed on time, and wear your boots and raincoat!

rumrunn6

boost your immune system - lot's of info how to out there

StanSeven

All sound advice. That's all anyone needs to do except reasonable aerobic exercise like cycling. There's a lot of evidence showing prolonged exercise boasts your body's ability to fight off illness as well.

rumrunn6

one of these links lists garlic but I think I have read onions also have an immune system benefit

https://www.health.harvard.edu/flu-re...une-system.htm
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/10...sters-boosters
https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fee...boost-immunity
https://www.wikihow.com/Strengthen-Your-Immune-System

hobkirk

Over 30 years ago my primary care physician started giving me flue shots. I liked him so I went along. Flu always degenerated into bronchitis and lasted many weeks.

It's been over 30 years since I caught the flu.

Obviously this might be pure luck. And might not apply to anybody else.

Billy Bones

Long shot. This is NOT diagnostic, but you may want to rule out Lyme Disease. Periodic malaise, every few weeks, occurs in non-routine situations [plane]. Jes' sayin'.

Machka 

Are you on a plane or sick now?

Rowan

Get off the grog. Your immune system will thank you.