2024-04-19 16:14:53
Immune system
There is also a logical explanation for our illness in adulthood. Kant: “Because we came into contact with a small number of other viruses during the COVID-19 period, you now see that everyone has produced fewer antibodies against the ‘normal’ annual cold viruses and is getting sick more often so. We are still catching up to re-optimize our immune system. Completely normal and healthy.”
“Plus, we’re all a little closer together and inside more in the winter. This makes you more likely to get a virus infection. It is also true that your immune system does not respond optimally if you are still recovering from one virus infection and come into contact with another virus. Then you get sick again faster.”
Preventing the flu
However, the term ‘chain disease’ does not exist in the medical world, Kant stressed. “That seems to be a ‘disease’ made up by the supplement industry. Which is very clever of course, because if you make people believe that they are sick, they will be more likely to use supplements. However, there is still no scientific evidence, for example, if you take vitamin C supplements prevent you from getting sick. In fact, with a varied diet, it is not useful at all to use supplements.”
That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to prevent yourself from getting sick more often. “Take good care of yourself, even if you are not sick,” advises the doctor. “By exercising daily, eating healthy and reducing stress, the risk of becoming ill from a viral infection is reduced. Also, wash your hands well and make sure you have well ventilated areas.”
As a result, each flu affects some people and not others
More susceptible
Some will probably recognize it: you’re always the one who’s sick, your partner never is (or the other way around, of course). How did that happen? “Some people are more susceptible to viruses. For example, because they smoke, don’t have a good night’s sleep, don’t eat a different diet or have a lot of stress. These are things you can (try to) influence yourself,” says Kant.
“People with certain underlying diseases, such as diabetes or asthma, are more likely to become ill from a virus. They can be extra careful by practicing good hygiene, washing their hands often and properly ventilating busy areas. That reduces the chance of infection.”
Bacteria
We also ask the doctor about the difference between a virus and bacteria. “A bacterial infection usually makes you sicker than a virus,” she says. “Then you have trouble breathing or you get so sick that you feel like you’re going to faint. That is always a reason to contact your doctor. If this happens several times a year and the doctor also suspects that there is a recurrent infection caused by bacteria, you should be aware of an underlying disease of the immune system. But fortunately that rarely happens.”
“In all other cases, the advice is to take good care of yourself in case there are relatively mild complaints of a sore throat, cough or fever, a good night’s sleep, a varied diet and a little stress. Viral infections usually go away on their own.”
Get rid of that nasty flu as quickly as possible? ‘Unfortunately there is no silver bullet’
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