Sick All the Time - Lake Wales,FL

I think this year has been extremely tough for many. You are not alone. Washing hands is best and to keep sugar intake to a minimum. Many people tout Vitamin C as something we need to pump on...but I was reading that we need zinc when we feel something coming on and vitamin A while we are getting over a cold. Hope you guys get better soon....we are in the same boat.

Too much cleaning..I did that before too. One year we had 3 weeks like that in our house and I was over it. Finally everyone was healthy so we cleaned the heck out of EVERY surface in our house - and BAM! We were all sick again.

Lots of water, fresh air if you can, and healthy foods.

I agree about stopping with the Lysol and Clorox - you're killing off the low-level bacteria, yes, but you are allowing the super-bugs to flourish in an environment that now has no "competition" for them. And it's doing nothing for the viruses, so it's a waste of money and time and giving you a false sense of security. And if you're using anti-bacterial soaps, please stop. Same issue, but also the FDA is now saying (after moving like molasses...) that the chemicals in those products are not safe on human skin.

Basic hand washing with regular soap is what needs to happen - it's the lather/bubbles that helps float away both the bacteria and the viruses. If you can get the 2 older ones to sing "Happy Birthday" twice while washing, that's good - and have them turn off the water while they wash! Too many little kids just squirt some soap on their hands and then immediately put them in the running water - waste of time and totally ineffective. For the 2 year old, try to make a game of hand washing - the ABC song is a good one.

Pink eye almost always comes from germ-laden hands or tissues rubbing the eyes, so make sure any regular eye-wiping is done with a clean tissue before the tissue goes to the nose. Do the kids know to sneeze into their left elbow? Never into the hand (especially the right hand if that's the dominant hand).

I disagree completely with the advice to use Vitamin C and/or Airborne ahead of time. That Vitamin C research was tossed out years ago, and Airborne got in a whole heap of trouble with the FDA (including a big fine) for making bogus claims about preventing colds and so on. They had to completely change their TV and print advertising but people still believe the old stuff. Absolutely not proven. Most standard vitamins just don't have enough ingredients to make them effective, and absorption is quite low in pills of any sort. Many pediatricians call them "expensive urine" because so much is eliminated, and they mostly have warning labels about keeping away from children. If overdose is possible, then it's not a comprehensive formula. We switched to comprehensive immune system support 8 years ago and no one has been sick as long as we stay consistent. I work in food science educating in this area and I can't tell you what a difference it makes in kids and adults.

Hello A.! I know how you feel, it comes with having school-aged children. It is worse since you have a toddler in the mix. Even if your older kids are completely sterile and adamant handwashers, the toddler may not be the same. I would venture to say the 2 year old is the vector of most of these diseases. As for boosting the immune system, vitamin supplements and fish oil. While its an old fashioned technique, it definitely works. Thats all I have to offer and I hope you all feel better soon! Much love!

Can't really add anything that hasn't been said already, except 'this too shall pass'. I still remember the days when all 4 of us (youngest wasn't born yet) had the stomach flu at the same time and we had only one bathroom ... ugh... we had a few years like yours, but then the kids rarely got sick -they're building up their immunity now. Hang in there!!

It does get better as they get older ... and daycare is such a good place to pick up germs. It got easier once ours were in school and not sharing everything.

Is your family being treated with allergies? My husband and some of my kids have allergies. My son with bad allergies just appeared to be sick all the time - colds, sore throats, ear infections, etc. from fall through spring. We had him tested and he had all these allergies we had no idea he had. He was tested as a baby and didn't have any at that time.

So he takes a nasal spray every day and allergy medications. He has been a different kid ever since. Air purifiers in the main room/bedrooms, switching out bedding, etc. Closing window for pollen ...

I have another child who gets something like sinusitis all winter long. No allergies. But he has to do the nasal spray every day. Not just when he's got symptoms. It has to be consistent.

We were advised to not clorox or lysol our house. And I have one with dust mite allergy - just clean regularly and dust.

Do you have animals? My son and husband got much better when our cat passed away. Good luck :)

We just had a week of Spring Break and various forms of the flu, so I really understand your frustration.

You need to stop using Lysol and Clorox. I know you want to get rid of the germs that are causing everyone to get sick, but by eliminating all the germs you are also preventing their bodies for gaining any immunities. Basic handwashing is good. Washing dishes and cleaning your house is good, but back off on the anti-bacterial and germ fighting products. They overdo it..

Your 2 year old is doing very, normal 2 year old things - being exposed to germs and naturally building up immunities. It stinks! But it will serve you him/her well in the future. Our youngest was in daycare from age 2 1/2. He went through all the "daycare crud." It wasn't easy getting used to working full-time, after being a SAHM, and having to deal with a sick child all too often. But he is one tough cookie now (7) and rarely gets sick.

Try not to over think it. Kids get sick. Really, we all get sick. Some years we skate by with just an annoying cold or two. Other years we get hit harder. This year ... is not your year. But hopefully that means you're do for a really easy year next year!!!

Reduce sugar intake, increase water consumption (not sugary drinks or juices or sports drinks), consume probiotics (yogurt is one way, but also in capsule form possibly) and whole fruits/vegetables. Get good uninterrupted sleep (all of you) every night.

Those are my suggestions. And maybe stop with the bleach and Lysol, and try vinegar instead. It disinfects and doesn't have harmful fumes. (and the smell dissipates quickly).

Emergen-C. It's sold at drug stores. I buy them in bulk at Costco because it's cheaper.

Take it when you first notice the symptoms. And do it for several days. When I get sick, the first symptom I get is sore throat/ear pain. That's when I take it. Then I have everyone in the family take them -- my husband, my 3.5 year old, and my mom who watches my 15 month old even if they don't have symptoms. It's all about prevention!! If that doesn't stop everyone from getting sick then I give some to my 15 month old. I do the same with my 3.5 year old. When she first complains of a cold/flu symptom, that's when I give her some. Works like a charm. Definitely reduces the symptoms/the length of time of the symptoms.

With my 3.5 year old, I give her a 1/3. I just add three tablespoons of water to the powder and give her one table spoon of it. You should probably talk to your pediatrician about it first, though.

we take a multivitamin with immune boosters added. we get it at the local organic health food store. drink lotsa of water and play in the dirt often.(mostly barefoot)
mil's naturopath informed her that the earth (dirt) will assist in pulling toxins out of your body thru the soles of your feet so going barefoot while outside is healthy. nither of my kids want to wear shoes and they are rarely sick (well ds has brought a ton of sick home from school this year but he has also been wearing shoes daily... wonder if its connected?)

Over use of Lysol and Clorox, can sometimes make colds and/or viruses worse.
You can boost immune systems with vitamin C and a balanced healthy diet. Try some Airborne or vitamin C supplements.

Well, unless you stay inside and never go outside and you have your home covered in plastic sheeting you're going to pick up germs.

Kids in school? They're going to be sick. Kids in child care? They're going to be sick. Hubby works? You work? You both bring home germs every day on your clothes, in your hair, on your shoes, purse, etc...

Cleaning your house doesn't really do anything. You can stop that sort of cleaning. Washing hands, wiping the carts at the store with the wipes they have by the door, those are things you can do to limit how many germs you come in contact with.

Since I've been wiping down the shopping cart handles when I go in Walmart I haven't been sick. Not in almost a year. Not really really sick. I've had allergies that gave me cold like symptoms but I haven't had a serious stomach virus or upper respiratory infection in over a year.

I even take a few wipes and wipe down the cart when I'm done. Then I use those wipes on my car door handles, the gear shift handle, the radio knob, and the inside handles for the door.

I don't know much about Florida seasons other than hurricane season and not hurricane season. So I suppose there isn't much chance of this going away since it's spring and everyone gets more fresh air.

Stop over cleaning.!!!!
If you constantly use disinfections in your house the immune system will not have anything to fight. Basic cleaning is all you need to do.
However you may need to look for hidden culprits such as mold.