Aren't colds always going around?

I dont know about colds but the pollen has started. I always call it "Alabama Glitter." I've had itchy eyes and throat for a few days. Allegra and benadryl are my best friends right now.

I dont know anyone who has a cold right now.

"Aren't colds always going around?"

Yes. Some 200 different viruses are responsible for what we know as a cold (or produce cold-like symptoms). And they are always there, regardless of the season....some favor colder weather but others are common in spring and summer.

And it's not COVID?

Good idea to test to be sure it's not...

I haven't had a cold in years.

I'd take a Covid test just to be sure it really is just a cold. My cousin had what you described and took a test and was positive.

Joann, many of us have still been distancing, masking...I think I know of only one person close to us who has had a cold in the last two years. A BIL, who has been seeing his grandchildren, only one of them old enough to be vaccinated. He's been to his doctor for help with the cough, more than once. They test each time he comes in and its not Covid. It's a cold.

I would still want to know for sure and would either go for a test or use a home kit.

I'd test for covid.

Yes colds always seem to go around!

We all had colds and we all got tested for covid. There are four adults here. We were negative for covid and positive for a cold.

Bed rest drink plenty of fluids and take cough medicine etc was the advice which is exactly what we did and had already been doing.

I swear by Cold-eeze with zinc...it helps me feel much better faster. Get well soon!

I swear by Cold-eeze with zinc too. Some laugh but if you taje it on the first sign, it lasts maybe a day. Lots of stuff in the air.

I was sure I had a cold coming on but I right away I started with Sambucol, an herbal antiviral, supplemented with a good swig of Echinacea in water. As always, it knocked it back. First time I've had the beginnings of a cold in some years.

If you are are still masked or just now trusting the CDCs guidelines and not masking as often, then you will likely find yourself under attack. Your immune system is weaker. There are cold and flu bugs that are always around and now will have an easier time finding a host. It's part of the price of the COVID protocols for two years.

Some may recommend isolating five days or as said above, take a test.

I’d just do a test. After three months travelling round Italy and Africa without mishap DD and DSiL have returned home and tested positive the morning after arrival. Probably acquired in last few days in Egypt or on the plane. Symptoms were sore throat, headache and clogged nose.

Four weeks ago I got THAT cold. It lasted 7 days. I took Dayquil & Nyquil....slept like the dead. :0) I tested negative for covid. My husband didn't get it. I haven't had a cold in several years either. I'm sorry your sick....

My son and his wife had what they thought was a cold at Christmas and turned out to be Covid.

“If you are are still masked or just now trusting the CDCs guidelines and not masking as often, then you will likely find yourself under attack. Your immune system is weaker. There are cold and flu bugs that are always around and now will have an easier time finding a host. It's part of the price of the COVID protocols for two years.”

Misinformation.

Thought i just had a cold because i had a runny nose and cough. Guess wrong.

I think as mask use is lessened, yes, there will be a big uptick in common colds. I work with little kids and, to anyone who says masks don't work on preventing virus spread, I have some pretty strong anecdotal/personal evidence from my classroom I'd like to share. The first would be the number of tissue boxes we go through is down tenfold. Second, the # of days of student absenteeism is at a record low. Third, I personally used to get at least 2-3 colds per teaching year but I haven't had one since I've been wearing a mask.

Hope it is just a cold and you feel better soon. I rely on Vit C and zinc to relieve my minor cold symptoms and it seems to lessen the length of time a cold lasts.

Oh dear - so sorry, liira!

FWIW, after almost 2 years of nothing, I began getting cold symptoms once I started back working in close contact with young children - 3 times in 3 months. I tested each time (PCR) and results were negative - thank goodness.

I understand colds can be transmitted from surfaces, not primarily airborne like COVID. If you get cold virus on your hands and touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you can catch a cold.

And not getting sick doesn't 'weaken' anyone's immune system - on the contrary.

Carolb, don't touch your eyes has become my mantra at work. Actually, it should be don't touch your orifices but don't touch your eyes seems to be more socially acceptable to chant in public.

I'm not sure if I'm reading your last comment correctly, but it's my understanding that exposure to a wide variety of germs/bacteria/viruses (not necessarily getting sick) builds a healthier immune system.

The study that illustrates this best for me was one that found that the youngest child in a big family of male children had the strongest immune system when compared to other children. I probably shouldn't quote this study as I'm only gong on memory and don't have a link, but the idea was that they were exposed to more "dirt".

But I guess you mean being sick (as opposed to exposure) doesn't build a healthy immune system. I'm not challenging, just looking for clarification.

AFAIK, what builds a stronger immune system is good nutrition, exercise and sleeping well.

Most of your immune system that you’re not already born with is developed during childhood. Your body doesn’t suddenly forget it for potilical purposes.

And yes this is just ”internet research” so let’s get that out of the way but what I’m seeing is that there may be an uptick in pediatric respiratory illness as the kids catch up. But they’re expected to catch up. And the common cold is from mutating viruses so it always hits us as something new which our bodies haven’t specifically learned to fight so having missed last year’s mutations doesn’t matter.

I haven't had a cold in many years. However when my daughter was in kindergarten and I volunteered at her school, and around if a lot of little kids, I did catch colds. I must have had one since then, but I don't remember when.

I haven't been sick since Covid started (knocking on wood!!!). No cold, flu, stomach bug, etc, and I have been pretty liberal on the mask wearing (where not required) and socializing with friends. In two weeks it will have been two years since I have had to go into the office to work. So far they haven't told us when we will return and said they would give us a 30 day notice. It will be a hybrid model to start so maybe 2-3 days a week in office. I am 80 miles round trip from my office so I think I will claim that I need to keep WFH because gas is too expensive now.

@liira55 How are you feeling today?

@WittyNickNameHere ;), feeling ok today, just sneezing quite a bit. i just tested again and still have it. Hoping to return to work by Thursday.

Am finishing a doozy of a cough and small fever; I usually get something in the early spring but didn't think I would since I continue to wear a mask indoors, apart from my home. Two negative antigen tests and one neg pcr. Feel better, fellow sick people.