How you make yourself immune while you work as a nurse? Any ideas?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone,

How do you build you immune system to resist resipratory infections. I seem to be catch these kinds of colds that are sinus related and drain into my chest. Is there anything to take as preventative maintenance?

I work as a night shift nurse in Telemetry-Med Surg floor. I work 12 hours shift. After that I drive 1 hour and 15 minutes back to my house. I don't get enough sleep sometimes. I don't consume good food like I tell the patients to do.

When I work with a respiratory infection patient, I use the precautions as hospital policies. I've done everything from get infections from the patient.

But lately, I was sick from the respiratory infection often. I don't have a flu or swine flu. But I have like a cold or sinus infections.

I love to work so much, I don't want to call in and tell my charge nurse that I'm sick and I cannot go to work.

My mother-in-law recommended to ask herb store.

How do you make yourself immune while you works a nurse?

Any herbs that can help you boot your immune system?

Thank you very much.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Eat properly, exercise and get enough sleep.

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Specializes in retail NP.

we get little exposures all day long. our immune systems are strong because of these exposures on a regular basis. every time we are exposed, our bodies create antibodies to these antigens. and memory b cells. simple immunology--the memory b cells tells your body how to fight it off, since you've been exposed before. so, you won't get sick so often.

the rest is hand washing, and the stuff you already know how to do.

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here is what i do to protect myself and my family:

when i get home from work - i remove my scrubs - turn them inside out and put them in a laundry basket designated for my work clothes. i remove my shoes before entering the house and keep them in the garage.:anpom:

i spray lysol on my shoes and the bottoms... i will also lysol the laundry basket...:clpty:

use hand sanitizer between hand washings... wash your hands or better yet shower when you get home....:up:

if a particular patient has a cold - wash your hands immediately and be aware of your hands touching linens and then making contact with your clothes or face... :thankya:

take a multivitamin if applicable:hotchocolate:

exercise outside of work:monkeydance:

eat well:cheers:

laugh often :coollook:

and i may just be paranoid- but if the patient sneezes and i am within contact range - when i leave the room i blow my nose... is this effective- most likely not lol but it makes me feel better. :jester:

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Specializes in rehab.
here is what i do to protect myself and my family:

when i get home from work - i remove my scrubs - turn them inside out and put them in a laundry basket designated for my work clothes. i remove my shoes before entering the house and keep them in the garage.:anpom:

i spray lysol on my shoes and the bottoms... i will also lysol the laundry basket...:clpty:

use hand sanitizer between hand washings... wash your hands or better yet shower when you get home....:up:

if a particular patient has a cold - wash your hands immediately and be aware of your hands touching linens and then making contact with your clothes or face... :thankya:

take a multivitamin if applicable:hotchocolate:

exercise outside of work:monkeydance:

eat well:cheers:

laugh often :coollook:

and i may just be paranoid- but if the patient sneezes and i am within contact range - when i leave the room i blow my nose... is this effective- most likely not lol but it makes me feel better. :jester:

no one could say this better than you have !!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Emergen-C or Airborne are two intense immuno-boosters, and I'm pretty sure they make them in daily doses now :)

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

Emergen-C powder added to water or a drink.

I wipe down the phones, computer/keyboards, and counter where I chart.

If a patient has an upper respiratory cold, I try to limit my time in there(if possible) and will sometimes wear a mask if they are coughing all over.

I don't touch a patient or the bed/rails without wearing gloves.

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In addition to adequate rest, exercise, and proper diet, you could add a multivitamin. I encourage everyone in my family to take and emergen-C pack daily during cold and flu season.

Also, have you considered saline nasal irrigation? Particularly if your sinuses are the root of your evils, you may find this beneficial.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation

"Nasal irrigation is used to treat a wide range of chronic sinus symptoms; for chronic rhinosinusitis it is an effective adjunctive therapy. According to patient self-reports it improves quality of life and reduces use of medication, including antibiotics. It is also an effective measure against chronic sinus symptoms induced by work-place exposure to sawdust.[4] Further evidence suggests that nasal irrigation causes relief for both hay-fever and the common cold."

http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/reprint/49/2/168

"CONCLUSION Nasal irrigation is a simple, inexpensive treatment that relieves the symptoms of a

variety of sinus and nasal conditions, reduces use of medical resources, and could help minimize

antibiotic resistance. "

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In addition to adequate rest, exercise, and proper diet, you could add a multivitamin. I encourage everyone in my family to take and emergen-C pack daily during cold and flu season.

Also, have you considered saline nasal irrigation? Particularly if your sinuses are the root of your evils, you may find this beneficial.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation

"Nasal irrigation is used to treat a wide range of chronic sinus symptoms; for chronic rhinosinusitis it is an effective adjunctive therapy. According to patient self-reports it improves quality of life and reduces use of medication, including antibiotics. It is also an effective measure against chronic sinus symptoms induced by work-place exposure to sawdust.[4] Further evidence suggests that nasal irrigation causes relief for both hay-fever and the common cold."

http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/reprint/49/2/168

"CONCLUSION Nasal irrigation is a simple, inexpensive treatment that relieves the symptoms of a

variety of sinus and nasal conditions, reduces use of medical resources, and could help minimize

antibiotic resistance. "

Neil Med Sinus Rinse. It's the best.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

I also do all the above but add L-Lysine supplements during cold/flu season as it's and immune booster and anti-viral. Knock on wood but it's worked for me year after year as I dont take flu shots and eat mostly organic (I'm vegetarian). I also supplement myself with B-12 1000mcg IM monthly and if I feel sluggish then I give myself and extra booster.

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Specializes in All types of ICU.

I too suffer from multiple sinus infections thru out the year. What I have found that helps is: eating right, drinking 64+ oz of H20 daily (at a minimum). I also take Zyrtec and Astelin. In addition, I do the nasal sinus irrigation 2 times daily(you would be surprised at the fibers and hairs that are expelled from your sinuses). I also recommend using a humidifier near your bed.

It couldn't hurt to make an appointment with your PCP and see if they would refer you to a ENT specialist. Your problem could be blocked sinuses or something else.

Good luck...I know exactly how flustrating sinus problems are~

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Thank you all.

I would take your recommends seriously.

Thank you very much.

Oh! I see I have written wrong. I said my mother-in-law, actually I have meaned, my friend's mother in law. I was so embarrassed.

Moonlight_tiny

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