It’s that most wonderful time of the year (catching everything)

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ED, psych.

So after being a schoolteacher for years and years and being a nurse for 2+ ... I’ve been exposed to a lot and thought I’ve had a good handle on keeping myself relatively sick-free.

When my little darlings in the classroom looked up at me smiling, only to sneeze into my eyeballs ... to those Geri patients coughing and hacking into my smiling face ... at least my teenage kids now cover their mouths when they cough.

But I think I’ve caught everything coming my way this year, strong immune system be damned.

Bronchitis, then pneumonia ... now I’ve woken up this morning to my fourth cold since November when one nostril is stuffed up and the other is running like a leaky faucet. Good hand washing, vitamins (multi and C), sleep and a good diet has only gotten me so far. Can’t exercise ... since I seem to be always sick.

So I’m looking for some tips - what’s worked for you? I’m getting desperate.

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Specializes in ER.

Q 2 hr oral care will prevent a cough. I have a cold now too. Sudafed is essential as well.

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Specializes in school nurse.
7 minutes ago, Emergent said:

Q 2 hr oral care will prevent a cough. I have a cold now too. Sudafed is essential as well.

What do you mean by oral care in this instance?

Always good to learn a new trick...

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Specializes in ER.
1 minute ago, Jedrnurse said:

What do you mean by oral care in this instance?

Always good to learn a new trick...

Brushing teeth, gums, and tongue. Previously I would always get bronchitis after a common cold. Now, with my sudafed/oral care protocol I never do.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I wash my hands frequently, avoid touching my face, put on a mask if I'm worried about a patient with a URI, disinfect the phones I get after sign out...it has worked so far?...but this is more prevention than cure I guess.

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Specializes in school nurse.
11 minutes ago, Emergent said:

Brushing teeth, gums, and tongue. Previously I would always get bronchitis after a common cold. Now, with my sudafed/oral care protocol I never do.

Ah. I also change my toothbrush after anything like that as well.

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Scientifically speaking...changing your toothbrush after an illness is a myth.

"Our bodies have a natural defense system against germs....you are exposed to ...germs constantly but your immune system is able to fight them off...these antibodies keep you from catching the same flu or cold twice. Therefore, the cold or flu germs on your toothbrush after your illness won't reinfect you. The same goes for many other germs on your toothbrush."

However I am not sure if the same thinking applies to cold sores and herpes simplex virus?

However since I never think about "hey...I haven't changed my toothbrush in a while...maybe the bristles are worn down to a nub...." it certainly doesn't hurt to change your toothbrush more often. And of course major toothbrush makers love to post the change your toothbrush after a cold advice.

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Specializes in ED, psych.

Thanks, guys. Interesting about the oral care. I do disinfect my phone but my husband doesn’t and then places his phone on my side of the bed when he naps ?.

Someone at work mentioned they started taking elderberry. Anyone hear anything about that?

I’m about ready to dance around naked in the moonlight chanting to the goddess of good health, I’m that desperate. Essential oils? Charging crystals in the sunlight?

Only have managed one sick day though ... as the bronchitis into pneumonia went into a scheduled vacation.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

The Israelis swear by Sambucol (elderberry). I think it works to minimize but not prevent. I also have bronchitis. Hang in there.

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I make my own elderberry syrup and use it with the expectation it will minimize my troubles. Whenever I start to feel sick I always make chaga tea with freshly smashed garlic and honey in it with my own valerian root tincture. It tastes like sweaty sweet bark (I’ve not been bit by a vampire yet!) but helps knock it out and I sleep like a baby. It still worked even though I never tried it naked under the moonlight, also. ?

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Specializes in school nurse.
3 hours ago, brownbook said:

Scientifically speaking...changing your toothbrush after an illness is a myth.

"Our bodies have a natural defense system against germs....you are exposed to ...germs constantly but your immune system is able to fight them off...these antibodies keep you from catching the same flu or cold twice. Therefore, the cold or flu germs on your toothbrush after your illness won't reinfect you. The same goes for many other germs on your toothbrush."

However I am not sure if the same thinking applies to cold sores and herpes simplex virus?

However since I never think about "hey...I haven't changed my toothbrush in a while...maybe the bristles are worn down to a nub...." it certainly doesn't hurt to change your toothbrush more often. And of course major toothbrush makers love to post the change your toothbrush after a cold advice.

...at the very least I don't end up using those nasty, worn and stiff bristles. I also change it the 1st of every month. Maybe I should buy some stock in Oral B or some such...?

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Geri parents??? Lol

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