Getting colds less than before you got sick?

[pdjanson]

I am a holistic healthcare professional treating some patients with chronic fatigue and I have noticed a trend that has been common with several of them, including my mother who was diagnosed with CFS more than 10 years ago, which is that since they have been sick with CFS they rarely get colds and flu. One patient I just started working with last month piqued my curiosity when he reported getting sick quite frequently, several times per year, prior to the onset of his fatigue, and since he gets a mild runny nose only once every few years.

If this is a common feature among CFS sufferers the implication seems to be that the immune system (or perhaps part of it) is actually a bit hyperactive (!) rather than depressed. This is especially interesting to me in light of the recent XMRV findings. If we assume this or EBV are opportunistic infections that take root when the immune system is compromised due to some stressor, could it be that after some time the immune system rebounds and is working a little harder (though not hard enough) trying to fight the infection, thus keeping the person sniffle free during the cold season?

I would greatly appreciate any feedback, personal accounts, links, references, etc. that any of you might have on this forum.

Thanks!
Paul

[Jj85]

This is true with me. I used to get the flu about once per year, and now I haven't gotten it in 3 years. I do get colds every once in awhile, and when I do, my symptoms last for longer than they usually do (and this could in fact be attributable to immune system hyperactivity, since I think cold symptoms are caused by the immune system, and not the cold itself.

[static]

Dr. Klimas mentions this. I can't say I exactly understand her answer, but here it is:

Q: Do you believe there could be a connection between the effect of ME/CFS on the immune system and the fact that I and other patients I know don't seem to come down with colds, or shake them off more quickly?

Dr. Klimas: Two reasons – first you do isolate more, and may avoid exposures. But I think the bigger deal is that you up-regulate interferon - your body’s natural antiviral - which can stop an infection before it takes off.

Here's the link:
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showar ... t=CFIDS_FM

My own experience is that I don't often get colds or the flu, for what it's worth.

[neil25]

i remember getting cold's and flu quite frequently before i had cfs, but think the reason i get it less now is because i eat properly and am more in doors. so it's pretty obvious if you live this lifestyle you would be less likely to get colds.

[StarDust]

I agree with neil, when you are fatigued you do less stuff, go out less, sleep longer(not for everyone though), interact with strangers less, I think it pretty much explains this trend.

[neil25]

its not rocket science.

[laura]

Yes, I have noticed that since I got sick with CFS almost 3 years ago I have not gotten a cold or the flu since...and I am not isolated from others. I take the stimulant Adderall and am able to keep my job where I am in contact with people as a psychotherapist in an outpt psych unit. I have been terrified of getting sick, imagining that I would be very very sick if I did get a cold or the flu. It is quite weird, since when I was ill with CFS, before Adderall I was bed bound. Even with the Adderall my glands are always a little swollen and I can not physically exert myself. But thank goodness the horrible pain and list of my symptoms I wouldn't repeat here, and utter feeling of wretchedness that defies description is taken away by Adderall...no doctor ever told me about Adderall, I was so fortunate to talk with fellow CFS sufferer and she told me. It has saved my life.

[cfs_since_1998]

I don't get sick often because I am not around other people. If I am around someone who is sick, it is a foregone conclusion that I will get sick too.

However an alternate explanation also exists, which is that people with CFS have an underactive Th1 immune system (the part that responds to infections of the cell), and overactive Th2 immune system (the part that responds to infections outside of cell). Thus people with Th2 dominance will suffer from chronic "stealth" viral infections yet be very resistant toward developing new infections.

[pattyegg1]

Absolutely! I haven't had the colds and sinus infections that I used to get.

AND....I'm exposed as much as ever with kids and activities that they do.

Thanks for looking into this quirky thing called CFS.

[agitprop]

I am a holistic healthcare professional treating some patients with chronic fatigue and I have noticed a trend that has been common with several of them, including my mother who was diagnosed with CFS more than 10 years ago, which is that since they have been sick with CFS they rarely get colds and flu. One patient I just started working with last month piqued my curiosity when he reported getting sick quite frequently, several times per year, prior to the onset of his fatigue, and since he gets a mild runny nose only once every few years.

If this is a common feature among CFS sufferers the implication seems to be that the immune system (or perhaps part of it) is actually a bit hyperactive (!) rather than depressed. This is especially interesting to me in light of the recent XMRV findings. If we assume this or EBV are opportunistic infections that take root when the immune system is compromised due to some stressor, could it be that after some time the immune system rebounds and is working a little harder (though not hard enough) trying to fight the infection, thus keeping the person sniffle free during the cold season?

I would greatly appreciate any feedback, personal accounts, links, references, etc. that any of you might have on this forum.

Thanks!
Paul

This is quite intriguing....and yes the immune system is upgraded, certainly according to Byron Hyde of Nightingale research.
I had only one chest cold/flu in 27 years, then another one last winter. The fact that I got a chest cold/flu was so odd for me, I took it for granted that it was probably swine flu and my body succumbed only because the completely novel nature of that particular virus was more than a match for my overly active immune system.

[ldg]

Yes I don't get colds like I use to and wondered about this idea of the compromised immune system and the virus. I now catch buses and with shopping centers and libraries, I don't catch anything. A few months ago I looked after a child in my home with whooping cough (didn't know it at the time) with no affect.

Just before I really crashed I got colds but the worst symptom was the fatigue by far. Normally I would continue working but couldn't. Now I can't work at all.

[jdegner]

hello paul,
as a child and adult, I suffered from serious strep infections of no less than 3 per year, each would leave me with my tonsils swollen closed and a high fever. I would be in bed and on antibiotics for no less than a week each time. I also contracted mono and tonsilitis. Every cold or flu out there had my name on it, which was a problem as I always worked two jobs and competed as a beach volleyball player at the highest level in Canada. two years ago I suffered a major depressive episode followed by a strep like illness, for which I was treated however the tests came back negative. I never fully recovered, and two years later, I am unable to work due to CFIDS/IBS. I have not an infection, whether viral or bacterial, since the initial illness two years ago! I worked in healthcare before finally having to leave my career and was exposed to pathogens on a daily basis, but never contracted a thing!!!!

[lindseys2525]

I have always wondered why? I became ill with FM/CFS in 1995, and continued working for 7 more yrs., until the fatigue took me down. Prior I always would have a flu @ least once a year, and a headcold @ least one a yr. I never have been ill with any common ailment since FM. I have been aware of it, but never heard anyone else say anything. I just figured God would not inflect more on me LOL....I know there is something more to it. I JUST KNOW!!!!!!! Lynn

[prioris]

I've had CFIDS for over 50 years. I got severely sick when I was very very young. I rarely ever got a cold etc. Every decade I would get hit with the major flu epidemic. It may have something to do with an immune system that is always up regulated.

Fatique and cognitive problems were severe from the very get go and never stopped. Did go to school and work for 30 years in that state and it was pure hell. It was like living on the edge of a cliff where I nearly fell off hundreds of times. Rarely ever took a sick day since every day was pretty much the same - really bad.

[neil25]

My other explanation for getting colds less is that most CFS people eat more healthy and drink less or no alcohol. These lifestyle changes would help the immune system and prevent yourself from getting colds. People might surround themselves around other people but I can bet there not staying out as late as others drinking till 3am plus there not eating as many takeaways. For me its very different I feel like I constantly have a mild flu and nothing shakes it. I do live a healthy lifestyle, exercise and eat right and get enough sleep. It feels like my immune system is gone.