It’s incredibly frustrating to find yourself battling a runny nose, cough, or sore throat seemingly every few weeks. You might wonder, “Why Do I Keep Getting Sick Every Month?” while others around you seem to breeze through the year unscathed. If you’re feeling like you’re constantly catching every bug that’s going around, you’re not alone, and there are real reasons behind this pattern of frequent illness.
It’s normal to experience the discomfort of colds or flu multiple times a year. For adults, health experts indicate that experiencing one to three colds annually is quite typical. However, the range varies significantly. Dr. Otto Yang, a professor of medicine specializing in infectious diseases and immunology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, points out that some individuals feel sick throughout the entire cold and flu season, while others seem immune.
We are constantly exposed to a variety of viruses, including common cold viruses like rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, as well as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and COVID-19. The reality is, some people are simply more susceptible to frequent illnesses than others. If you’re someone who frequently gets sick, factors like age, lifestyle, exposure levels, and the strength of your immune system all play crucial roles. Furthermore, the prevalence and transmissibility of illnesses circulating in your community significantly impact your chances of catching something.
While some individuals seem to naturally dodge illnesses, and others feel like they are magnets for every passing cold, there are effective strategies to strengthen your defenses and reduce the frequency of getting sick.
How Many Colds Per Year is Considered Normal?
Defining a “normal” number of colds per year is surprisingly complex, as numerous factors are at play. Dr. Thomas Murray, an associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine, explains that the frequency of colds depends heavily on “how often you’re exposed to people in public and what kinds of activities you engage in that increase your risk of catching frequent colds.”
Age is another significant determinant. Dr. Frank Esper, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, notes that exposure levels to other people and illnesses vary across different life stages. Research indicates that preschool-aged children can experience colds as frequently as once a month. As children mature and adopt better hygiene practices, the incidence of colds tends to decrease to about four to six times per year. By adulthood, this typically reduces further to approximately two to three colds annually.
Why Do I Get Colds So Often? Unpacking the Reasons
If you find yourself repeatedly asking “Why do I keep getting sick?”, several factors could be contributing to your frequent illnesses.
Exposure Levels
Your level of exposure to viruses is a primary factor. This encompasses the frequency and duration of your exposure, as well as the precautions you take to minimize it. Dr. Yang clarifies that exposure is one part of the equation, with the other being how your immune system responds upon exposure.
For example, individuals who limit their public interactions and diligently practice hand hygiene are less likely to contract colds compared to those with highly social lifestyles or jobs requiring frequent interpersonal contact, as highlighted by Dr. Murray.
Age-Related Susceptibility
Age significantly influences cold frequency. Exposure patterns differ drastically between preschoolers, college students, and working adults. Dr. Esper elaborates that preschool children’s exposure is unlike that of a college student, which in turn differs from an adult working in an office.
By the time individuals reach their 30s and 40s, they have typically developed some immunity to many common cold viruses through prior exposures, explains Dr. Andy Pekosz, a virologist and professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Conversely, young children have minimal pre-existing immunity to these viruses, making them considerably more vulnerable. This explains why younger children experience colds more frequently than older individuals.
Dr. Esper emphasizes that preschoolers are at the highest risk due to being in crowded environments with other children who often have underdeveloped hygiene habits. Parents of young children also face increased exposure to illnesses brought home from daycare or preschool settings, leading to a higher incidence of colds among parents as well, according to Dr. Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention at the Mount Sinai Health System.
Immune System Variations
Individual immune system responses play a crucial role in determining whether exposure to a pathogen leads to illness. Dr. Yang explains that people exist on a spectrum regarding their immune system’s effectiveness in handling infections.
The immune system is incredibly complex, and minor variations, deficiencies, and genetic differences can influence susceptibility to illness and the severity of symptoms. In some instances, frequent illnesses can indicate an underlying condition affecting the immune system. In such cases, particularly in children, there may be a higher risk of hospitalization, weight loss, severe fatigue, and susceptibility to rare infections, notes Dr. Murray.
While not every exposure results in infection, individuals with compromised immune systems are more prone to infection even with similar levels of exposure as others. Dr. Camins clarifies that a weaker immune system increases the likelihood of infection. However, for most people who experience frequent colds, Dr. Murray reassures that while their immune systems may not be perfect, serious underlying issues are unlikely.
Circulation of Multiple Viruses
The simultaneous circulation of multiple viruses can also contribute to feeling like you’re constantly getting sick. Recent fall and winter seasons have seen co-circulation of high levels of flu, RSV, and COVID-19, especially among children. This “tripledemic” was partly attributed to a lack of typical seasonality, with RSV and flu cases spiking earlier than pre-pandemic years, compounded by ongoing COVID-19 transmission, explains Dr. Murray.
Experts believe that pandemic-related home confinement may have reduced RSV exposure in children, leading to a larger surge when precautions eased. While COVID-19 cases are currently lower than previous winter surges, new variants continue to emerge, suggesting potential for future upticks. The emergence of highly transmissible FLiRT strains, including KP.2, KP.1.1, and KP.3, indicates ongoing viral evolution and the potential for continued circulation of COVID-19 alongside other respiratory illnesses.
How to Stop Getting Colds All The Time: Effective Prevention Strategies
To reduce the frequency of colds, adopting preventative behaviors is key. Dr. Esper emphasizes that the strategies effective during the pandemic’s peak remain highly relevant for minimizing virus exposure. The significant reduction in COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other illnesses during periods of stringent public health measures underscores the effectiveness of these actions.
Limit Exposure to Sick Individuals
Whenever possible, maintain distance from people who are visibly ill. If you are sick, staying home prevents spreading illness to others, advises Dr. Esper.
Practice Frequent Hand Washing
Dr. Esper highlights hand washing as a cornerstone of cold prevention. Dr. Pekosz concurs, emphasizing hand washing as a highly effective method to prevent common colds. Properly covering coughs and sneezes around others is also crucial. When hand washing is not feasible, using hand sanitizer can effectively kill many viruses, according to Dr. Yang.
Wear Masks in Shared Indoor Spaces
Wearing masks, especially in crowded indoor settings where illnesses spread easily, provides significant protection. Dr. Murray points out the “underappreciated” benefit of masks in preventing hand-to-face contact, reducing the transmission of viruses picked up from surfaces. Dr. Camins recommends mask-wearing when sick to prevent spreading illness to others.
Stay Informed About Circulating Illnesses
Monitoring prevalent illnesses in your area helps you understand potential health risks, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV, advises Dr. Murray.
Test for COVID-19
Even with mild, cold-like symptoms, ruling out COVID-19 is important. Dr. Pekosz advises testing for COVID-19 if experiencing symptoms, as it is preferable to identify and manage COVID-19 rather than mistaking it for a common cold.
Get Vaccinated
Vaccination against influenza and staying updated with COVID-19 vaccinations are crucial for preventing severe illness, emphasizes Dr. Murray. Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting newer variants provide enhanced protection. The CDC recommends updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone ages 5 and up. Annual flu vaccination remains recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Co-administration of flu and COVID-19 vaccines is safe and convenient. RSV vaccines are now available for adults aged 60 and older, and monoclonal antibodies and maternal RSV vaccines are available to protect infants.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
General healthy habits bolster immune function. This includes regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, stress management, and adequate sleep. While supplements like vitamin C lack conclusive evidence for cold prevention, Dr. Yang emphasizes that there are “no shortcuts” to preventing colds besides these fundamental healthy lifestyle practices.
By understanding the reasons behind frequent illnesses and implementing these preventative strategies, you can take proactive steps to strengthen your immune system and reduce the likelihood of constantly getting sick.
