Why Do I Keep Getting Sick? Common Reasons Some Adults (and Kids) Catch Every Illness Going Around
Do people ever ask, "Weren't you just sick last week?" or, has someone recently commented, "You sound a bit sniffly again"?
If it feels like every cold, flu, RSV, or childcare bug finds its way to you or your family, you are not alone.
Winter often brings more illness, but recurring sickness might point to other factors too.
In this article
Why winter can feel like one illness after another
During winter, people spend more time indoors, in offices, classrooms, public transport, shops, and other shared spaces.
Viruses such as colds, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 can spread more easily in these environments.
For many adults, it can feel like one illness finishes and another begins shortly afterwards.
Sometimes this is simply because there are several different viruses circulating at the same time.
Speaking of RSV, did you know? If you're an adult, you've almost certainly had RSV before. Almost all children catch it by the age of two, making it one of the most common respiratory viruses around.
Turbot Street Medical Centre offers free RSV vaccines funded under the NIP for adults aged 75 years and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over. Book yours here.
You can find more information about RSV by the Australian Centre for Disease Control here.
“The childcare effect
Parents often know this experience well.
Children in childcare, kindergarten, and school are exposed to a wide variety of viruses throughout the year. It’s completely normal for young children to catch multiple illnesses as their immune systems continue developing.
Many of those illnesses come home too.
A few small habits can help reduce the chances of the whole household getting sick:
- Treat school bags and lunchboxes like high-contact surfaces. These items travel between classrooms, playgrounds, buses, and home every day, yet are often cleaned less frequently than kitchen benches.
- Encourage handwashing when children first walk through the door. Many families focus on washing hands before meals, but doing it immediately after arriving home can help reduce the spread of germs around the house.
- Pay attention to the first signs of illness. A mild sore throat, unusual tiredness, or runny nose can sometimes be the first clue that a virus has arrived.
When it might be more than bad luck
Frequent illness does not automatically mean something is wrong. However, there are situations where recurring infections are worth discussing with a GP.
Some factors that can affect how often you get sick include:
- Poor sleep over long periods
- High stress levels
- Iron deficiency or other nutritional deficiencies
- Asthma and some allergies
- Certain medications
- Chronic health conditions such as diabetes
Recovery is also important.
If you find that a simple cold leaves you exhausted for weeks, or you seem to take much longer to recover than people around you, it may be worth looking into further.
A quick note on sleep: Use the STOP-Bang questionnaire, which you can find here. It helps assess your risks of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
If you're interested in how the immune system responds to viruses and why some people seem more affected than others, this short TED Talk offers a fascinating and easy-to-understand explanation.
What a GP can check
A GP appointment can help identify whether there is an underlying reason you are becoming unwell more often than expected.
Depending on your symptoms and history, your doctor may discuss:
- Recent illnesses and recovery times
- Sleep and lifestyle factors
- Existing medical conditions
- Immunisation status
- Blood tests to check for issues such as iron deficiency or other health concerns
A GP can also look at how often you are getting sick, how long recovery takes, and whether there are patterns that point to an underlying cause.
If this sounds familiar
Getting sick occasionally is part of life, especially during winter and when children are bringing home bugs from childcare or school.
However, if you find yourself catching almost every illness going around, getting sick more often than those around you, or taking weeks to recover from relatively minor infections, professional support is available.
At Turbot Street Medical Centre in Spring Hill, we support adults, children, and families from Brisbane CBD and surrounding inner-city suburbs.
The clinic is open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, with same-day appointments often available. Bulk billing is also available for eligible patients. You can learn more about fees and eligibility here.