This is why you keep getting sick straight after being sick

Ella Glover

Published January 17, 2024 5:00am

Sick man on couch — Constantly being sick sucks (Picture: Getty Images)

Have you noticed that everybody is getting ill at the moment?

Yes, we know it’s winter, but it’s starting to feel like the height of the pandemic, when you couldn’t turn left without hearing someone cough or complain about the fact they’ve been bedridden by flu.

If you’ve fallen victim to the relentless 100-day cough, you’ll know it’s no joke.

Whatever is in the air at the moment, illnesses are beginning to feel never-ending – as soon as you’ve got over one, you’re almost instantly hit with another. But why does this happen?

According to pharmacist Navin Khosla, it’s all down to whether or not you have a good immune system.

‘For some people, getting ill again after having just recovered happens regularly, which in turn can impact their quality of life and mental wellbeing,’ he tells Metro.co.uk.

‘The main contributing factor in those instances is a weakened immune system.

‘Thankfully, the solution for most cases is fairly simple and mainly requires motivation – that and a change of habits to boost your immune system.

‘Improving your diet, exercising and managing stress are some of the most important things to keep in mind.’

Why do some people have a lower immune system?

According to NHS GP Dr Hana Patel, there are several factors that can contribute to a lower immune system.

‘Some people are born to be more predisposed to getting infection more easily,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.

‘It can also be related to the environment in which someone mostly spends their time. For example, people who are school teachers may be more likely to get exposure to respiratory viruses and the flu due to the people and children around them. This means that they are exposed to a higher microbial load and more likely to get unwell.

Some people have better immune health than others, and are more likely to avoid getting infections or if they do get infections, fight them off quickly.

‘This is not necessarily related to age — we can try to improve our immune health by eating a balanced and varied diet and, most importantly, taking part in regular sustained exercise.’

How to improve your immune system

Half of orange on the heap of oranges — Repeat after us: fruit is my friend (Picture: Getty Images)

Ditch processed foods and prioritise vitamin C

We hate to break it to you, but if you want a stronger immune system, you’ll have to ditch the ultra-processed foods.

‘If a product has been modified to the extent that it’s unrecognisable, it probably isn’t good for you,’ says Dr Navin, who’s a pharmacist at NowPatient.

‘If the label contains ingredients you can’t pronounce, it’s best to steer clear.

‘It’s okay to have a treat every now and again, but the basis of your diet should be filled with natural ingredients, such as vegetables, fruit, pulses, grains and nuts.

‘Opt for those high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, and protein, which can be found in meats and dairy products.’

Exercise regularly

Another bitter pill to swallow: exercising regularly will boost your immune system, so, as Dr Navin suggests, invite some movement into your life, even if it’s just a five-minute workout.

‘Blood flow and happy hormones are important both for physical and mental health,’ he says.

‘And remember: exercise doesn’t need to be a chore.

‘Find something you enjoy doing, be it dancing, walking your dog, ice skating or just a regular gym workout.’

Managing stress

Finally, getting serious about stress management will do wonders when it comes to boosting your immunity.

‘The important thing here is to be aware of what causes you to feel stressed and find ways to manage it,’ says Dr Navin.

‘This can be done by doing meditation and learning more about mindfulness, taking breaks, engaging in enjoyable activities, being with loved ones and much more.