It is winter here and I have been suffering from flu/virus/ear infections/chronic cough for weeks... partly due to my busy lifestyle but I can't seem to get my health back. My children also have been ill. Anyone got any ideas for simple things to do that might help?

I am a big believer in the power of three: echinacea, vitamin C, and Iron. These three things have helped me ward off the germs for quite a few winters. I still get one bad flu-like thing each winter, but it's not the three to four I used to get.

There used to be one pill that had all three cald Cold Season, but I couldn't find it this winter and had to buy them separately.

I agree about the echinacea,vit c,goldenseal.
The pill that seems to knock it out of me,if I take it at the first sign of sickness, is Coricidan D.

My husband is a firm believer in exercising the bad germs away.

Of course there are times when you don't feel well enough to sweat it out, but if you get a little energy...exercise...there's the *e* word again!

My husband is a firm believer in exercising the bad germs away.

Of course there are times when you don't feel well enough to sweat it out, but if you get a little energy...exercise...there's the *e* word again!

I started to respond here yesterday and had to leave very suddenly when the heat overwhelmed me and i felt so weak i had to go lie down. I see my message didn't post.
What i was going to say was very important!!!
****if you are allergic to sage, and ragweed you may very well be allergic to echinacea (? spelling?)
I thought it would help me but my doctor said absolutely not!
with my lupus and taking drugs to supress my immune system i have to be very careful when people around me get sick.
During the last year my family managed to wash their hands and keep germs away from me through two major illnesses that i did not get.
when we returned from our 13 day romp across the desert southwest, i think i had worn out my body... in the week we have been back i went from tired to having a sinus infection... which has now moved into my chest. today i start on prednisone... my most hated drug.
so ..... stay healthy. wash your hands often get lots of rest. drink plenty of fluids.
and always follow the doctors orders....

-----kay oleladee

Thanks for your comments about washing hands...now that I come to think of it my husband (a registered nurse) has missed out on all the infections the rest of the family have had, I was putting it down to personal stubborness :-) but actually it is probably his hand washing technique, highly refined after years working on the wards! (You should wash both front and back of the hand thoroughly, soap doesn't matter, it is the technique that counts). I have been remembering to wash my hands well after coming home from work before cuddling my baby daughter, maybe I just need to think about the other situations where it would help.
After 5 consecutive courses of antibiotics, daily vitamins and a week at home I am feeling much better, just a little cough hanging on!