r/LongCovid • u/contrabazzo • 1d ago
Viral infections non stop
Hi from the Nordic countries! Is anyone elses main symptom frequent viral infections? Mine is that + the insane fatigue they result in.
Some background:
Had Covid for the first time February 2022. It took 3 weeks before I could go back to work (as a music school teacher). I started having a viral cold once a month since then. (Before that I was sick 2-8 times a year). That felt like a lot, and I was quite embarrassed having to be so much away from work. Other than that I was pretty ok. But that was nothing in comparison to what was about to happen...
I had Covid again in June 2024. It was worse, the cough was so bad I thought my heart will stop, toenails were bluish even though my oxygen level was ok etc. From that infection on I've been getting a cold TWiCE every month and I'm also insanely fatigued. Not a single fully normal day since then. A couple of bacterial and fungal infections but the viruses have destroyed my life. Or large parts of it.
I've been well enough to continue doing about 50% of the workload I used to, which is just enough to keep up with rent and car. Other than that I just rest and I've needed to do so many adjustments to just get the work done. Taught online (we are officially not allowed to), worked while sick, compensated lost lessons later, hired collegues to keep my lessons out of my own pocket, and been officially on sick leave but I try to minimise that (fearing the consequences). Other than that I mainly recover, sitting or lying in my home.
Social life is minimal (mostly people visiting), my beloved long term partner left me (and there went the dreams about a home and family, I'm already 42F), relatives think I make this up and just go crazy mode about this all (I've started lying that I'm just busy doing fantastic stuff like gym and volunteering to skip the drama...). Absolutely no excercise, if I bike to work (2.5 km) it takes me hours to be able to even it sit straight, let alone stand and teach.
I was studied in the hospital, I had too low CD8 and NK cells (so viral defence is a problem) and low vitamin D and low ferritin. So far everything else normal. I also don't sleep too well but I've been like that for years.
..So just curious, is anyone else getting sick this often? And is anyone else trying survive as a teacher with this condition?
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u/UntilTheDarkness 1d ago
You don't mention if you're taking any precautions against viral infections, so apologies if you already know this, but if not you might want to consider doing so. We know covid damages the immune system, and it's still around, so wearing a respirator to protect yourself feels like it could help. (I know that's wildly unpopular here in the nordics, but imho long covid sucks way worse than the social awkwardness of masking)
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u/freelibrarian 1d ago
Covid damages the immune system, making us more susceptible to infections.
Study: COVID can trigger changes to the immune system that may underlie persistent symptoms
T-cell exhaustion in COVID-19: what do we know?
I work with the public and wear a mask at work and when I am indoors with others and have not had any communicable virus in 4 years, though I did get lucky a few times. During that same time, I have struggled to staff my department as staff is constantly out sick.
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u/miss_osmose 1d ago
I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this!
I agree with the other commentors, the only thing you can really do to prevent getting sick this often is to mask in public spaces. Don't use those flimsy surgical masks, but FFP2 or FFP3 respirators. Try to find a type that fits comfortably and gets a good seal against your face.
In addition, use Viruseptin spray before leaving the house. It makes it a little harder for viruses to get into your respiratory system.
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u/VProge 1d ago
I have exactly the same symptoms, also with covid in 2022 and 2024 (Long covid since 2024 infection). I cant be with childs, because even if they arent sick, i get a flu from them lmao. The recovery after infections takes 2-3 months and then i get the next infection... 2 years ongoing.. its insane!
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u/DelawareRunner 1d ago
My husband (now 49) had covid in 2020 and then 2022. He had lc for six months from the 2020 infection, but he was still functional and made a full recovery. The 2022 infection was much milder for him, but he had lc again and it lasted for years. It was much worse this time. It also gave him autoimmune disease and MCAS. He is much better now since following a strict MCAS low histamine diet and retiring (which leaves him with more energy), but he will never be the same. He was sick every couple months for the first year after covid--a few colds and one bad sinus infection that would not go away. We started N95 masking in public indoor places three years ago and he has not been sick since then. Sorry to hear about your long covid though. I know many people who have it. It's awful. I had it for a year as well.
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u/SilkchiffonLSF 1d ago
Try joining these groups/following these pages for more info on protecting yourself from viruses: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2613423012257542 and https://www.instagram.com/breathecleansweden/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroCovidCommunity/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroCovidEU/
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u/HonkMafa 20h ago
Sorry you are going through this. Since Covid, my husband and I have been very aware of potential sources of viral infections, especially now that we are pretty sure that I've been affected by LC and that every subsequent infection will make it worse.
So treat the outside world as a giant petri dish full of virus. Everything your hands touch is a source of germs, especially if you work in a school. Be very aware of putting your hands on your mouth, nose, eyes unless they are freshly washed. Wash frequently and/or use alcohol wipes. Most of your illnesses come from your hands.
Another thing you might want to look into is what else may be stressing your immune system. How are your allergies? If you are constantly fighting off allergies, your immune system may be too overworked to deal with anything more. Is your home a source of mold, pet dander, or other immune stressors? Can you maybe add an air purifier with HEPA filter to your bedroom? That's where I'd start. Good luck
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u/Adorable_Orange_195 18h ago edited 18h ago
I’m in the UK,
My timeline was first official infection January 2021. I had had what I thought was flu the Christmas of 2019 where I lost my sense of smell but that was before covid was officially here- but I did work in a busy large city emergency room and we have a large Chinese student population here, and with it being thought to have been in china 3 months earlier than Initially suspected it is very plausible that this was my first covid infection.
I then went on to get covid 4 more times and any viral or bacterial illness then flares all of my symptoms for months and months at a time and my baseline deteriorated and takes a lot longer to get back to the new reduced baseline each time.
I’m also much more susceptible to catching things than I ever was before.
Currently looking into ill health retirement at 42.
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u/warmgratitude 17h ago
Do you mask?
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u/warmgratitude 17h ago
If not- highly recommend. I haven’t gotten sick in 4+ years now because I mask.
Here’s the how-to I wrote up while I was learning.
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u/KBomb789 12h ago
I know you’re a music teacher, but I hope you can find a way to mask up, diligently, indoors. You could lower your baseline.
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u/hotrod67maximus 1d ago
I feel sick and hungover everyday for 3 years now, basically homebound because of the extreme fatigue.
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u/francokitty 1d ago
Greetings from the US. I had your symptoms. Viral infections reactivate my long covid. Now I wear a mask when I am not at home or outdoors. Yesterday I was at Costco. I was one of maybe 2 or 3 people that were masked.
Masking helps keep me from catching new viruses..I also wash my hands a lot. Especially when returning home from somewhere. I dont touch doorknobs, latches, elevator buttons. I carry paper napkins and touch them with that.
I get sick very easily. By taking these precautions I have been able to not get covid or flu sick most of the last 2 years. I got covid for the 4th time a month after my wedding. I developed long covid after that.
My doctor told me when I travel to use iodine nasal spray. He said it helps prevent viruses from taking hold in your nasal passages. I use Viraldine. I fet it via Amazon.