AdamDZ

So I've been doing great, riding every single day, no matter what, eating well, sleeping well, taking my vitamins, feeling great. I woke up yesterday feeling sick, out of the blue, no warning signs: stuffed up sinuses, runny nose, itchy eyes, headache, fever. I was hoping to avoid getting sick. Two coworkers were sick last week, I guess I got it from them.

I'll have to stay home tomorrow! And not sure if I'll be able to ride on Wed

What else can one do to strengthen the immune system?

Adam

daven1986

Not much else you can do (and I would say you are doing too much - you don't really need vitamins unless you have a medical reason). Just rest up and get better soon then get back on the bike

AdamDZ

I don't eat enough fruit, so I should take some vitamins Yeah, I know, once you get it there is not much you can do. This is only my first winter riding every day, maybe I'll get stronger eventually. What I didn't say is that I already made an improvement: I used to get colds every few weeks in winter. This is my first cold this season. Maybe I was just expecting too much?

Adam

jeffpoulin

Adequate rest, good nutrition, and regular exercise will improve the immune system over time, but I suspect you already knew that. There's no guarantee for not getting sick, though. The best you can do is try to avoid putting yourself at risk (don't hang around sick people, wash your hands a lot, and if it's wet out, try to keep your head dry). Once you're sick, though, it's just rest, fluids, and time. In my experience, vitamins won't help you recover any faster, but they may help prevent you from getting sick next time.

AdamDZ

Thanks It's hard not to hang around sick people I believe that did it to me this time. I said they should have stayed home, but nooooo... they needed to work Yeah, I wash my hands often!

Adam

daven1986

Well then I guess yeah vitamins are ok, however fresh fruit is better! I too found that when I started cycling I got far fewer colds. Spend some time on BF and before you know it you will be riding again!

AdamDZ

The only way I can eat fruit is to make a shake, perhaps I should start doing that.

Adam

daven1986

I think the benefit to eating fruit comes from the skin parts of it (i.e. the skin of the apple, the internal skin of the orange etc.) these parts contain stuff that you don't get in vitamin tablets. However I am not sure how much difference it would actually make to your health compared to vitamins.

spock

When I feel the cold coming I just have a lot of sex, then it just turns away.

AdamDZ

Mine came too quickly I woke up feeling sick, no warning signs

A.

spock

Sneaky, sneaky move.
I always feel the muscle aches and weakness before.

But then again I live in FL where things are kinda slow. NY is different.

AdamDZ

LOL, yeah, everything is in a hurry here

A.

AdamDZ

Wow! Out for a whole week! Fever, sinus and ears infection, massive headaches. I had to go see my doc and get some antibiotics, some serious infection and pain. First day at work today and it was a train commute I still feel a bit congested and weak, stomach is a bit upset from medications not to mention I'm very unhappy! It'll be few more days I guess before I can get on a bike

A.

chephy

People just get colds from time to time. Almost no way to avoid it. However, if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you'll get fewer colds and they'll be over quicker.

TRaffic Jammer

That sounds like the flu not a cold. Viral infections are not as easily stopped/avoided by a good immune system as colds. Sounds like you're doing pretty well otherwise being your first time sick this season. Hope you feel better soon.

AdamDZ

Thanks! I don't think it's flu: I have no body aches, my chest is clear and the antibiotics cleared up my sinuses and made overall difference within like two days so most likely some bacterial infection. If it was a virus they wouldn't help any. My doc also didn't think it was flu. I feel better this morning, but I'm gonna take the train I guess

Adam