Teachers - building immunity from illness(long)

I have been teaching for almost 11 years. Before teaching, I was not really prone to chronic colds or anything that could be attributed to picking up germs.

I work with a population of students who struggle with ADL skills - especially personal hygiene. We do our best to teach them how and when to wash hands, cover their mouths and noses (with the inside of their elbow) as well as other techniques that could prevent the spreading of germs. I have bottles of Purell, Clorox wipes and anti bacterial soap for them (and my classroom staff) to use as needed.

Regardless of the active role we take in helping the children develop these skills and responsibilities, they are often too impaired to remember each step - not to mention they are typical pre-teen boys - hard to get to bathe everyday.

On top of hygiene issues, the parents often send them in sick - with runny noses, bronchitis and other illnesses. This makes the other students and staff members vulnerable to catching something. I truly understand that it is not easy for families with working parents to keep children home from school, so its not an issue I pursue. I have been legitimately sick 3 times this year alone and it is only January.

I was wondering how teachers or people who work in an environment that is susceptible to its employees getting sick,build their immunties and PREVENT (NOT TREAT) themselves from getting ill. I am not one to run to the doctor with every ache and pain - I just feel I cannot do my job when I am sick at home or run down.

Sorry so long.

Message edited 1/10/2007 6:52:35 PM.

I am a preschool teacher. It was so bad when I first started teaching. I used to come home sick every week. The worst part was was that I passed it on to dh and my family ALL THE TIME! Over the years, my immunity became stronger and stronger but I would get the 4 BAD colds a year. It was so frustrating because I would do EVERYTHING in my power not to get sick as you have said..purell in the classroom, brought the kids to the bathroom to wash hands constantly, always wiping everything down, even wearing disposable gloves from time to time. And at my job as well..parents had to work, so more often than not, they would send their sick kids to school and we would have to deal with it. When I was pregnant, I was ready to quit right away because I kept getting colds.

One thing I noticed that made a huge difference is I would change out of my work clothes RIGHT AWAY when I got home...either I would jump in the shower or just put new clothes or pj's on. It seemed to help. I washed my hands literally 100 times a day..

Good luck and feel better. It is not easy working with germ ridden children! LOL

ETA..I am petrified of doctors, so I avoid them at all costs. I never went..I would always "treat" myself..lots of sudafed, vics, humidifiers, even herbal remedies. Im not a juice drinker either so that made it hard too.

Message edited 1/10/2007 7:15:09 PM.

I also teach PreK. Its funny, I also change out of my clothes as soon as I get home, but thats just bc I feel "germy". I wash my hands ALL the time at work, and I make a conscious effort not to touch my eyes, nose, or mouth while Im at work.

Ive been there for almost 2 years, and I think you really do build up an immunity over time.

But when I start to feel a scratchy throat I drink Emergen-C a LOT. Ive tried Airborne and I dont like it as much. And if I really feel bad, I call in sick. Its not worth it to make myself feel worse just to make my boss' life easier.

Not a teacher but when my son was getting sick every month, my health food conscious sister suggested acidiphulus to help boost his immunity. I ignored her until I was at the end of my rope and then tried it. It worked well. It's a probiotic. You can pick it up in any health food store or order from Willmer Chemists online. Obviously you should check with a doctor before taking it.

HTH

When I was in college I worked as an assitant teacher at a daycare center AND a head cashier at a clothing store. I touched babies and money everyday for 5 years and I was SICK SICK SICK for 3 of those years stright....

now, I cant remember (KNOCK KNOCK on wood!) the last time I had a cold or was sick with anything other than allergies.

I guess after a while I just CAUGHT everything.

I also barely ever took medication bc I any kind of medicine KNOCKS me out.. like seriously.. 3 advil will do it for me haha. I dont know if that helped or not.

Like the rest of you, when I started teaching I got every cold/sickness that was going around. For the past few years now I've been taking a multi-vitamin every day it has really helped and I rarely get sick. When I do foget to take it or run out, that's when I seem to catch a cold. I also wash my hands like crazy (after every class if I can) and I have hand-sanitizer in my room. Changing clothes when I get home and a hot shower seem to help too.

Thanks ladies. I will ask my doctors if your suggestions are right for me.

My DH is a teacher and for a long time I was getting sick from the germs he was bringing home to me. I could not understand why I kept getting sick- it turns out he was the host of a 6 month sinus infection I kept getting. Now he washes his hands even more so, takes Purell to work , etc. I have upped my vitmain C, and zinc, and so far only(knock on wood) have gotten sick 1x .

I don't do anything special, but somehow this school year (knock on wood) I have managed to stay healthy. It seems this year EVERYONE is getting really sick in my building (teachers and kids). I think I have always had a pretty good immune system, but I have gotten into the habit of having a glass of OJ every morning and I really think it helps. Other than that, I think I'm just lucky. OH, and I wash my hands a lot, but I think all of us dealing with kids do.