Why I Keep Getting Hit With Common Respiratory Diseases
I used to be that person who bragged about never getting sick. “My immune system is built different” I’d say while chugging Monster and sleeping four hours. Yeah no. Turns out that’s a great way to invite every virus in a 50-mile radius.
Last December I caught something—probably RSV or whatever is going around now—and it turned into this awful cough that lasted almost a month. I was hacking so bad in the grocery store that a lady legit moved her cart away from me like I was contagious radioactive. Which… fair.
Then January hit and bam, another cold on top of the lingering cough. I swear my lungs are just collecting frequent flyer miles at this point.
The Main Ones That Have Personally Owned Me
- Regular colds – start innocent, end with me sounding like a dying walrus
- Flu – got the real flu in ’24, fever dreams were wild, I thought my cat was judging me
- Bronchitis – the cough that never dies. I once coughed mid-sentence on a first date. She left early.
- Allergies that turn nasty – spring pollen here is evil, my face gets puffy and then infection city
- Random wheezing episodes – turns out mild asthma was hiding until my 30s. Fun surprise.
Stuff I’m Actually Doing (Most Days) to Prevent Respiratory Infections
I’m not gonna pretend I’m perfect. Half the time I still touch my phone then my face. But here’s what kinda sorta works when I remember:
- Flu shot & the new RSV one if you’re old enough – I got both last fall. Felt like a grown-up for five minutes.
- Hand washing like it’s my job – I sing the SpongeBob theme in my head now. It’s longer than Happy Birthday so better coverage lol
- Humidifier on every night – dry air is the devil. Mine makes this weird gurgling sound but whatever
- Mask in crowded places when cases spike – people still give looks but I’d rather look weird than spend $200 on urgent care copays
- Vitamins? Eh – I take D and zinc sometimes but mostly when I already feel it coming. Probably too late.
- Sleep more than 6 hours – huge one. When I’m tired everything hits harder.
- No more “powering through” when sick – used to go to work coughing everywhere. Now I stay home if I can. Boss hates it but lungs > paycheck sometimes.
Things I Used to Do That Were Straight Dumb
Drinking orange juice by the gallon when sick – doesn’t help once you’re already infected Vaping outside in the cold – made my cough 10x worse Ignoring the “just a tickle” phase – that tickle always becomes three weeks of misery Not replacing my toothbrush after being sick – apparently that’s a thing you should do. Who knew.
Final Thoughts (Before I Start Coughing Again)
Common respiratory diseases aren’t going anywhere, especially not in the winter here when everyone’s inside spreading germs like it’s a competition. I’ve wasted too many weekends laying around feeling sorry for myself. These days I’m just trying to be slightly less stupid about it—one habit at a time.
If you’re in the same boat, just start with one dumb thing. Get the shot, wash your hands like a maniac, or finally clean that humidifier that’s been growing things. Your future self will be less wheezy.
What’s your go-to move when you feel that first tickle in your throat? Or worst sick story—hit me. I love misery-loves-company vibes.
Trying not to die of respiratory failure over here, — me, currently chugging tea and regretting that third slice of pizza
For actual non-me-person medical advice check these (cause I’m obviously not a doctor):
- https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/index.html
- https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
