Trying to Avoid Getting Sick

I had the pleasure of going on a 5-day vacation this year and I had the time of my life. When I returned back home, I was sick for the next 4 weeks. I was around lots of people on my vacation and there were things everyone that had been touched by many people. There were doorknobs, railings, bathrooms, car doors and public transportation and more.

Getting exposed to germs

We have heard this for years, wash your hands before eating, rubbing your eyes or when around someone that is coughing or sneezing. If you think someone is sick, don’t share utensils or anything that they touch or wash your hands afterward. They could pass on respiratory germs. Because of our overactive autoimmune system our body attacks itself and healthy cells which makes it easy for those germs to sneak in and get us sick.

Getting sick is no fun if you're healthy. Getting a cold or any type of bug might knock you out for a few days, but you're back to normal soon. When we get sick, it takes our body over the edge. I cringe when someone coughs or sneezes around me. I actually hold my breath. I know that if I get sick it could be weeks before I’m back on my feet. I’m down for the count.

Steps to stay healthy

• Remember our parents saying how we needed at least 8 to 9 hours a sleep a night, well that still goes for us with a weaker immune system. Sleep keeps our immune system staying strong and helps us fight infections.
• Light exercise – This helps with circulation which helps our cells move around the body.
• Eat right; whatever that may mean for you. Our diet is very tricky. I stick to fruits and veggies along with fish and nuts.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Try to be stress-free.
• Ask your doctor about taking supplements.

Fearing germs

I don’t remember getting this sick when I was younger, but as I age, I get knocked down and can’t get up easily at all. I am totally scared of germs because I’m not sure what one of them will do to my body. I’m having the worst flare of my life right now, all because of an infection someone had that I was around. It’s going to take me a while to get back to where I was.

Fighting off infections

I had to call my doctor because I was so sick. He told me that I was already on a drug that lowers my immune system's ability to fight infections, so he would have to monitor me very closely. I had to be put on an antiviral drug so that I wouldn’t get worse. Well, what does this mean to us? It means our body is a war zone; at this point, we can’t fight off infections because our immune system is not healthy.

Taking preventive measures

Talk to your doctor about ways to boost your immune system. Self-awareness and living a healthy lifestyle will help a lot. It would be great to have need proactive testing to help us prevent illness. I know this is no way to live, but I try to avoid public places. I understand that people can get sick while they are traveling, but if you know you are sick before you go out it might be better to stay home. I know most people can’t do that, but just remember you are making the rest of us sick too.