Curious: what do you do to prevent....

OK, this is going to sound totally stupid. But I don't do anything at all really, because I believe that if I am exposed to the things that are normally going around that I will build up an immunity to them.

That said, I did have a surgery scheduled once and started getting a cold, and totally derailed the cold by drinking literally GALLONS of liquid the 2 days before the surgery!

Originally Posted by tierre0

I do try and take more Vitamin C during cold and flu season.

I also get a flu shot every year and make sure to wash my hands several times a day.

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For all you Vitamin C naysayers I don't actually take pills I just try and increase my oranges and other citrus fruits. I really don't like taking anymore pills then I have to because of my OA.
However I am a firm believer in a balanced diet as the best way to protect yourself from colds and flu.
I am just getting over a cold and it's the first I have had in a couple of years.
Unfortunately you have to get sick every once in awhile just to get the old immune system to kick in..

Originally Posted by kluchetta

OK, this is going to sound totally stupid. But I don't do anything at all really, because I believe that if I am exposed to the things that are normally going around that I will build up an immunity to them.

That said, I did have a surgery scheduled once and started getting a cold, and totally derailed the cold by drinking literally GALLONS of liquid the 2 days before the surgery!

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That doesn't sound stupid at all! (different does not mean stupid!) Sounds very wise for a normal healthy person in good health.

I have weakened immune system issues because of chronic health problems though, so I really do have to take special steps. For instance when I am having a FM flareup I become very vulnerable to any germs floating around. (I already drink about a gallon of water a day)

Oh and I forgot to add that if I DO feel a cold (which could turn into bronchitis or pneumonia quickly, with me) I take zinc tablets called Cold-ease.

But I think you are right about building immunities, if you can risk it. After all that's what vaccines do.

Originally Posted by otto

That doesn't sound stupid at all! (different does not mean stupid!) Sounds very wise for a normal healthy person in good health.

I have weakened immune system issues because of chronic health problems though, so I really do have to take special steps. For instance when I am having a FM flareup I become very vulnerable to any germs floating around. (I already drink about a gallon of water a day)

Oh and I forgot to add that if I DO feel a cold (which could turn into bronchitis or pneumonia quickly, with me) I take zinc tablets called Cold-ease.

But I think you are right about building immunities, if you can risk it. After all that's what vaccines do.

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This is also a little weird, but I have RA, and since getting it, I haven't been sick once (except when a horse gave me strep, LOL) I think my immune system is in HIGH gear...

Originally Posted by kluchetta

This is also a little weird, but I have RA, and since getting it, I haven't been sick once (except when a horse gave me strep, LOL) I think my immune system is in HIGH gear...

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I have to agree with this, I have OA and have seen the same thing. There has most definitely been a decease in the number of times I have been sick since I was first diagnosed 4 years ago. Gotta love those little immune buggies except of course when they are causing achy joints....

I use hand sanitizer after using the gym, the BART train (to get to/from work), anywhere really. I carry a small bottle in my car, purse (when I remember) and have one at my desk at work. I usually take 2 zinc tablets in the morning and then maybe buy airborne or the generic version.

Over the past year, my colds have been full blown at times of tapering for either a half marathon or marathon . Some people at work come in sick as a dog and I wish they would stay home for the sake of others; that's what sick days are supposed to be for.

I dont do anything special. I just remember to wash my hands after handling dirty things, before touching my face anywhere. Although I am bad at the barn....I dont really wash my hands too often because they get dirty the second im done lol. I rarely get sick, but I get severe allergy and sinus problems...which is not fun.

Originally Posted by kluchetta

This is also a little weird, but I have RA, and since getting it, I haven't been sick once (except when a horse gave me strep, LOL) I think my immune system is in HIGH gear...

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That's the general problem with an autoimmune disease. I don't recall if you've went on any DMARDs, yet. If you do, be careful because all of that natural immunity and your immune systems being there to fight things off won't be there to save you - or at least not in the strength it is when not suppressed.

I wash my hands frequently, especially after being around small children and elderly people. I also carry hand sanitizer.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

That's the general problem with an autoimmune disease.

I don't recall if you've went on any DMARDs, yet. If you do, be careful because all of that natural immunity and your immune systems being there to fight things off won't be there to save you - or at least not in the strength it is when not suppressed.

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Nope, no DMARDS.

I don't do much out of the ordinary, but I usually take echinacea daily... I don't know whether it actually works or whether it's just a placebo, but it seems effective. Other than that, I try to avoid dehydration, eat fairly healthy (plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables). I'm not against flu shots (I endorse them wholeheartedly), but I haven't gotten one in a few years. My rate of flu acquisition hasn't changed significantly. Hmm...

I actually try to avoid the casual use of antibacterials and antibiotics, especially in things like hand sanitizer or soaps. Overusing these things can help to breed drug-resistant bacteria. See the wikipedia article for details... not that you can believe everything you read on wiki, but I live with a scientist who studies mycobacterium tuberculosis, and she talks about this type of thing all the time. It happens.

Oh, I also eat lots of hot peppers and garlic. Like, disturbing amounts of garlic. This probably just comes from my dad's cooking while I was growing up. He'd always make these absurd garlic laden pasta sauces on camping trips... he said it helps to prevent mosquito bites. Garlic is awesome.

I just wash my hands after bathroom, before/after eating
I heard garlic helps a lot
And just lots of veggies and good exercise
I rarely get sick, but I really don't do anything special. Just a healthy immune system.

I did find this article to be very interesting, why don't you read it?
http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/..._immune_health