Seem to catch colds etc. whenever in a hospital environment.

lisabeth · May 21, 2006

I am considering a career change to nursing. To help make my decision I am volunteering at a local hospital to try to get a better look at the day to day. Anyway I am wondering if after time your immune system becomes stronger. It seems like every time I go to a hospital I catch a cold or the flu. As a volunteer I don't have any physical contact with the patients. I am a constant hand washer and try to take good care of myself by eating right and getting enough rest etc., but it seems I come down with things easily.
Did anyone else ever have a problem with this?

I would think it would get better. When I was thinking about teaching (a long time ago) I was working as a teachers aid. At first, I got everything that went around, but by the end of the year, I was very healthy. Take lots of vitamins and eat right. That should help a lot.

jenn_rn_nj · May 21, 2006

The first 8 months that I worked in a hospital I got everything under the sun ranging from colds to bronchitis. It was kind of amazing, though, once I hit that eight month mark I haven't had more than my seasonal allergies.

I hope things improve for you (and I think it will once you build up immunity).

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 21, 2006

Could it be allergies? I know allergies don't give you flu like symptoms, but cold like symptoms they due. I have coworkers that by the end of the day are all stuffed up and teary eyed.

Good luck.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 21, 2006

This is a much more common occurrance than most people believe. Handwashing helps, but bugs are everywhere and not just on your hands. They get on your clothing and your skin and you take them with you. Continue to be careful and keep your health up.

indigo girl · May 21, 2006

Many have reported catching more URI's when in a new hospital environment.

There was a thread about this recently. You will eventually adjust. Do whatever you can to boost your immunity (and there are many schools of thought on this). Getting enough sleep is really important. Good luck.

anonymurse · Oct 14, 2007

It seems like every time I go to a hospital I catch a cold or the flu.

"Every time" is interesting. On the very off chance you might relate to this in some way: Mom and Dad went together to scuba lessons, but shortly after beginning, Mom would get a cold the night before every lesson. She figured some part of her was telling her scuba wasn't for her, and much later she tied her aversion for submersion to her memories of her brother's drowning death (she was there).