How often do you get sick?

[metal_m0nk]

When I think of nursing and other professions in the healthcare industry that deal directly with patients, I often imagine that getting sick is sort of an occupational hazard. So, I wanted to poll you all and see what turns up.

How often do you get sick?

What are some things you do (besides the obvious - hand washing, glove wearing, protective measures while on the job) to stay healthy?

Do you consume echinacea and vitamin C like it's going out of style?

[NurseKitten, MSN, RN]

I am convinced we have amazing immunity to be around what we're constantly exposed to and not be sicker than we are.

Last time I called out for being "sick" was when I got the stomach bug going around. Lost 12 pounds in a week. Wouldn't recommend it.

About once a year, I'll get the crud. Other than that, the only time I call out is when I injure myself. Dropping 10 pound marble chess boards on one's toes is not advisable. Don't know why they wouldn't let me work in that stylish surgical shoe. LOL!

[LyndzBenz]

The last time that I was sick was when I was nearly out of nursing school (probably May). I usually get sick once a year with something like a cold but then after that, I am usually sickness free. *Knock on wood.

I do take vitamins, but I doubt that is the sole reason for not harboring any bac. I just try to sleep at least 8 hours, take care of myself mentally :), and just wash my hands and use hand sanitizer in between.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

A common cold every once in a while, but that's about it. I don't do anything special, just try to eat a well balanced diet and exercise regularly.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I am immune suppressed r/t being a transplant recipient. I have never got sick from a patient in almost 4 years of ICU nursing. Constant hand washing and PPEs serve me well. I also NEVER touch my face at work.

I did come down with H1N1 flu, but I don't know where I was exposed. As flus go, it wasn't all that bad.

[HelenofOz]

Rarely sick-colds once or twice a year, flu x 2 in my whole life (touch wood) 20 years ago., don't get flu injections.

I am overweight, have hypertension, eat a mixed diet (ie a bit/lots of everything) water (but not excessively, ditto alcohol and chocolate), rarely eat junk food or pre-packaged meals, no vitamins/no supplements, no regular exercise programme-though I do dance vigorously at least once a week.

I have embraced the concept of germs and dirt, tho am a mad hand-washer at work. 150 years ago most of my ancestors lived in houses with poor sanitation etc etc and they survived!

Up until 2 moths ago I had accrued over 450 hours sick leave (and I only work 40 hours/fortnight), but have used 120 hours following LAVH, and I don't regard that as having being 'sick' in the catching something unpleasant sense of the word. (We get 2 weeks pro rata sick leave per year, thus I get 40 hours/year).

I do take the odd mental health day!

I hope I haven't jinxed myself!

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Dropping 10 pound marble chess boards on one's toes is not advisable. Don't know why they wouldn't let me work in that stylish surgical shoe. LOL!

Yeeeowch!!!

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

...no regular exercise programme-though I do dance vigorously at least once a week.!

If dancing around idiotically in one's living room counts as an exercise regime, I'm waaaaay ahead of the game!

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

Hmm I get sick a little more often than a lot of people on these threads... usually 3-4 times a year with a nasty resp infection that lasts about a week, though caught one this year that lasted at least two and included a high fever as well; but I do work with a lot of respiratory illnesses among a variety of other infectious illnesses. Rarely (knock on wood) get any kind of stomach virus though... guess my GI tract is "stronger" than my respiratory tract :) I do practice LOTS AND LOTS of handwashing and disinfecting but when a kid coughs/sneezes right in your face, it's hard to avoid :)

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

...but when a kid coughs/sneezes right in your face, it's hard to avoid :)

True that!

*Wipes face*

Counting Crows fan, eh?

My fav is Anna Begins :)

[EarthChild1130]

I'm not sick a lot with different illnesses, but I do have to take quite a few sick days because I have what my doc thinks is Meniere's disease...and that TOTALLY sucks eggs.

When I do get ill, it's more from what my niece brings home from school than anything I catch at work.

[COOPERSMOMMY]

I worked in the ER for a while and rarely, if ever got sick. I am now in Home Health and don't either. When I started working at a nursing home as a CNA, my daughter stated K~4 and we get everything known to man, stomach bugs, pneumonia Yuck! But then we were fine, had to build up that immunity!

I started taking Primal Defense several years ago, a probiotic cause I got a couple episodes of a sinus infection, I do think it helps in general. I also wash my hands (or use antibacterial hand sanitizer) at work but don't do antibacterial at home. IMHO it weakens the immune system if everything is too clean .

Just my

[whipping girl in 07, RN]

I get the flu every 7 years, whether I took a flu shot or not. I'm not kidding, I got it when I was 7 (1st grade), 14 (8th grade), 21, 28 and 35. I figure I'm not due again for awhile.

I generally take a flu shot every year. This past year I didn't because I was out of town when my hospital did the "pandemic" thing and immunized everyone in 2 days and didn't have another flu shot clinic for those of us who missed it.

I've been getting strep about every other year for the past 8 or 9 years. I have allergies so if I don't stay on top of them I will get an ear or sinus infection. I probably get 1 or 2 colds a year. I get migraines once or twice a year and my endometriosis gives me grief, but we're talking about infectious disease I suppose. I would say I average missing 3 or 4 days of work a year.

My kids never really get sick. In fact, my 5 year old has never been to the doctor for an illness. The few times she's been sick it's been for hours, not even a day. She has the constitution of a Russian peasant woman.