Do we catch colds more often because the brain can't work the immune system?
 

This has never happened to me before (I think).

Caught a mean cold from the housemates 2 months ago (family w/a three year old I nanny). Combined with my post-concussion chronic pain, it was a whole new kind of cold. Getting through it was a victory- my first PCS cold.

Now less than two months later, another cold.:mad:

From the child I nanny? Someone sneezed on my salad at Panera?

No clue. I try to live a healthy lifstyle.

Anyone else run into this?

I've been reading up on sickness. Just figured I'd come here since I only have close family to talk to (housenates sometimes).

Thanks!

I can believe that. I'vd had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since the accident, which I believe is an out-of-control I.S. The immune system basically burns itself out working too hard, and paradoxically fails to perform its actual function of fighting infection.

I bet you are catching colds through the three year old. If he spends any time in groups of children, he is bringing home all kinds of disease. When my wife did work at a school, she started coming home with colds.

Using anti-bacterial soaps and wipe also causes the immune system to get weak/lazy. This causes more illness, too.

Research shows that only children have lower immune system strength. Children who share bathrooms with siblings develop stronger immune systems and are less likely to transmit colds, etc.

The important issue for you is to keep you hands clean, especially after touching the 3 year old, and limit how often you touch your face.

....
 

Hey i currently just catched cold and im ill, i got it from 3 year old sisters daugther....its 3rd time in 3 months..

I worked in a prison for 20 years and folks were amazed that I NEVER not once, not ever caught a cold/flu or virus that was going around. My secret? DONT EVER touch your face. Unless you are washing it or your glasses DONT EVER touch your face. Keep your hands clean, and wash each chance you get (dont be OCD) just be mindful. and ta da! you too can avoid what is being spread out there. Even from a 3 year old.

Most virus and bugs enter thru our nose, eyes and ears, and WE are the ones that carry them there. open a door, then rub your face, ta da you just carried that thing home. Blow a child's nose, throw away a tissue, and wash your hands! Carry wipes or sanitizer with you. Touch those thongs at the salad bar? wipe your hands before you eat.

Use a disinfectant spray around the common areas of your house if you have room mates. The TV remote is the worst offender. When I go to a hotel room, I drop that thing into a zip lock bag. UGH! people do nasty things, then pick up the remote. Spray or wipe the mouth piece to the phone, the door handles, and handles on sinks, tubs, and toilets. This will help you avoid 95% of whats floating around. Just remember that if no one else is practicing good hygiene in your home, you can either avoid it, or be the one to wash it. DONT TOUCH YOUR FACE! unless you are shaving or washing, dont do it.

The child doesn't interact with other children, and is kept at home most of the time.

I wash my hands a lot.

Problem must've been touching the face.

Acne is pretty bad since the TBI, and it itches often.

Just must drink 2x the water & not touch the face, no matter what.

Thanks.

It is said that kindergarten teachers get sick allllll of the time their first few years of teaching. After that they rarely get sick at all.
As a mother of 5, I rarely get very sick any more.

I don't know if TBIs/PCS affect immune system, but regardless, it is important to keep your immune system healthy. I drink a ton of water (carry a quart canning jar with me and drink from that). I also eat very heathy vitamin rich foods (nettles and dandelions right now -- very high in VERY good stuff for you). Play in the dirt a lot, so that your body is used to various bacterias and can build natural immunity. And wash your hands often -- especially when around children. (I also drink green tea daily and use elderberry syrup when I feel that first twinge of illness).

I think it has to do with our levels of energy which are low. The immune system then does not have as much energy to protect us or heal us.

I don't think it affects our immunity directly, however chronic stress can weaken the immune system and a TBI is pretty stressful.

Next time I am touching people's thongs at the salad bar I will definitely remember to wipe my hands before I eat :D

Totally agree with this. I used to get sick more often because my wife was a teacher and always brought home germs from kids. I finally had enough and became mindful about touching my face. I had a habit of rubbing my often watery eyes (working in front of computers all day). Now I only itch my eye with my knuckle.

Simply wash your hands as soon as you get home to prevent spreading whatever germs you carried from outside into the home and resist touching your face! It works, no cold or flu for 3 years now. Just a bump or 2 on the head :rolleyes:

If you keep your Vitamin D levels where they need to be, your immune system will work much much better.

I haven't had a cold in over 3 yrs now. It is amazing how nice that is!

Klaus, you have me in stitches with your "Next time I am touching people's thongs at the salad bar I will definitely remember to wipe my hands before I eat". I read that too and was thinking the same thing.

I am also stuck on this one from Ziggo "3 year old sisters daugther". huh?

Ok, logging off for a long while. My brain is done.

p.s. wasn't poking fun at anyone, just enjoyed having something to smile about. :hug:

I touch my face more because in class the only thing you can rest your head against and still appear interested is you hand, so head on hand = 3 years of pain and sickness.
I think it can also be because our bodies are working so hard at helping us heal that it does not have time to fight little bugs.

We have had the same experience with our daughter who has post-concussion syndrome. She was rarely sick, but then after her concussion, she was getting frequent colds. It has been six months. The colds are less frequent now.

trombh,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear more parents dealing with children with PCS. It can be an anguishing experience.

How is she doing?

Does she have any symptoms that are causing a serious struggle?

How is she doing in school?

Please introduce yourselves and tell us how we can help. There are lots of great people with scads of experience with PCS.

My best to you and yours.

I asked this question a couple of months ago...wondering about the same thing. In the nine years the husband and I have been together, I've rarely been sick. Since last July (accident time) I've been on antibiotic about 5/6 times. Currently taking now for sinus stuff....

Hi Jeffrey
 

I actually have auto immune problems. Yes, when your system is on overload trying to heal, you are more suceptable to get colds etc. It seems you have to be even more careful about germs. I am not exactly a germafobic, but i do use wipes in the grocery store, and go down a different isle if someone is sneezing. Those bugger colds can live on surfaces for a long time. I live in a high tourist area, and all the northern folks come down here for the sunshine, and of course want to be outside with their lousy colds, so I am careful. Try to use those antibactial wipes on your car door, steering wheel, door knobs at home, your hands after you go someplace. Your cell phone and key pads are good wipe down too. I hope you don't get any more colds. Just be a little more careful and you won't. I did not get one this year, and there were thousands down here visiting....good luck to you. ginnie

glad to see this post. I'm 15 months out from accident and this is about the 8+ time I've had the crud. Ear infections, bronchitis, upper resp infection. I have taken a lot of meds. I try to eat well, drink a lot of water, I do take vitamins (d included) and exercise. I wash my hands all the time (college student). My immune system is jsut shot.

Amantadine
 

I have not posted on this site for a long time. but i have been reading the discussions regularly. Briefly, I am sixty years old and have been knocked unconscious six times and suffered numerous concussions.

I have been prescribed a number of different medications over the last fifteen years trying to combat this 'concussion syndrome'.

Reading your post has motivated me to tell others of the latest drug that i am taking that appears to be working. I am more alert, my speech is better, i am not stalling, hunting for that word that is swimming around in the brain, which is an indication of better working memory.

I have smashed that frosted glass wall that kept me from enjoying the moment. The drug is called Amantadine and is used for bird flu symptoms which will help your cold like symptoms.

Researchers have found that the drug also awakens the brain and is recommended as a treatment for brain injury's, as-well as other neurological disorders.

Please look it up and discuss trying it. with your doctor, it is not expensive and is worth trying.