Hyper Immune Response

The simple solution if you cannot avoid crowded spaces and you have a weakened immune response is to wear a mask.

Also, get your vaccines, even if your response may not be full.

Jan

For what it's worth, I wear a fresh, clean KN95 mask everywhere outside of my home, even outdoor places like garden nurseries, walks in parks, Farmer's Markets, etc. Sometimes I double mask in medical facilities or rooms packed with people, on the bus and airplanes. I haven't had Covid, the flu or even a cold since Feburary of 2020. I have had all the typical vaccinations and every Covid new vax and booster for people 65 or older. I can hear the Beatles saying "Number 9, Number 9" in my head right now - "Number 9" is what the pharmacist said about the number of Covid vax shots on my record. Before I got my jpouch 16 years ago, my primary care doc warned me that when I got the flu or a G/I illness, it would likely be worse than I was used to experiencing, so for sure to never miss a flu shot and take every precaution I could. That said, wearing a mask and getting vaccinated is not a guarantee against illness. It happens, dang it, and I am sorry you have been so sick so often and I am sorry I don't have any suggestions about how to boost immunity.

There is a product called "Immy" that is supposed to help with the immune system.  I haven't fallen prey to any virus since I started taking it in the spring.  My husband had COVID and we didn't isolate and I didn't get it.  Maybe it wasn't the supplement, but maybe it was? 

@SeattleJane and @Sara Marie thank you both so much for your reply. I really appreciate your feedback and will look into all these things. Hope you have a great rest of your week.

Autoimmune immune diseases (eg IBD) are not the same as an immunodeficiency (either primary or secondary). Now the meds use to treat IBD can certainly increase risk and severity of infections but simply having an autoimmune disease does not mean you’ll get sick more often. If you feel like you’re getting sick more often than prior with severe infections requiring escalating antibiotic regimens or hospitalization, I would have some testing done for immune deficiency. Having said all of this, everyone is getting more upper respiratory infections over the past year or so as we went unexposed for several years and vaccination rates are in the gutter. Norovirus is also on the rise. Agree with Jan, masking up and good hand hygiene goes a long way.