I've kept a daily log of my health, work, activity, etc. since 2010 and was curious about this too. No change at all for me over the past 12 years. I get some kind of mild cold once a year and a major flu-like sickness every 3 years or so. For what it's worth, I personally stopped wearing a mask in May 2021 after getting the covid vaccine. I did not get any covid boosters, but I do get a flu shot each season. Anecdotally, I seem to have not seen any uptick or downturn in my rate of illness, but this season isn't over.
Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
51–60 of 78 posts
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#52I have had RSV, Covid, and the Flu in just the past two months. I have been sick more than I have been healthy. So yes, this is the worst I ever remember it.
Same here. First illnesses I've had since February 2020. In the past, I'd get sick 3 times per year, so I'm hoping that it just happened in a compressed timeline.
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#53nope, I've still not had covid yet and I've been sick once in the last three years and with a one night gastro bug...
I've never been this non-sick!
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#54actually running less. People who push their bodies to the limit tend to get sick more often - this is known among athletes. I would slow down on exercise, gets lots of rest, drink lots of fluids, eat well, etc.
> People who push their bodies to the limit tend to get sick more often
Yes for extreme exercise, but "5K regularly" isn't going to trigger that effect. In that range, there's a positive long-term effect. That's what athletes and (even more importantly) physiologists really know.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32139352/
The problem here is far more likely to be the "in the gym" part. Being one of many heavy-breathing people in an enclosed space for an extended period will far outweigh any long-term immunity benefit from exercise. Also, OP mentions having COVID before. This raises the possibility of post-COVID inflammation and adaptive-immune-system hyperactivity due to continued RNA shedding. As if that weren't enough, there's mounting evidence that COVID causes lasting damage to the innate immune system. Like the "immune amnesia" associated with measles, COVID seems to leave people more susceptible to all kinds of infection, perhaps permanently.
My suggestion would be to keep running, but do it outside. Yes, even in winter. That's what I do myself, in New England, so it's clearly possible. You just have to gear up properly and learn a few extra habits to keep yourself safe.
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#55I had a rough three weeks, then started wearing masks again in the train and subway. It's way better now.
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#56[dead]
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#579 days with the flu, never happened before. Well, I never was almost 40yo before...
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#58Many people are experiencing the same after a course of preventative jabs. "I have heard" that it reduces the ability of immune system to fight back against many illnesses.
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#59No, I haven't had a cold for about 4 years*. I would expect that people working from home are sick more rarely since they have less contacts. At least if they do not have kids. If they do, it is probably the other way around indeed. I only did 4 month WFH but still haven't been ill. People with an acute cold do come in more rarely though, which is nice to reduce any additional spread.
Before the lock down time I had ~1 cold per year on average I would guess. I generally do not care about health too much. I seriously doubt the effectiveness of vitamins if you have normal eating habits. They may make things worse if you didn't consult your doctor and he specifically says that you should take them. Otherwise eat an orange from time to time...
I still do regular Covid tests, but I haven't had that either and stopped wearing masks completely.
*edit: I had 1 cold a year ago, but it was only 2-3 days of light symptoms.
Re: Is anyone else getting cold/sick much more often these days?
#60No, far less. Covid and working from home had a significant effect on me. It changed my attitude to health. Before, I would spend too long at a screen, take on too much work, not exercise, eat poorly and inconsistently for "convenience". The pandemic was a wake-up call that made me rethink my age, habits and vulnerability. With regular long walking, better diet, cold-sea swimming and a refreshed attitude to saying "N…
I've had the same experience - far less sickness. I've developed better health habits as a result of the pandemic. I wash my hands more frequently. I wear a mask in public now during the flu season. It's all really helped. Other than getting a minor case of Covid (presumably minor because I was vaccinated and boosted) I haven't even had a cold since the pandemic started. It's been a real wake-up call for the easy steps we can take to prevent sickness.