after another sleepless night i went into the doc today to get him looked at (just took him in wed night). turns out he has double ear infections, strep throat, and scarletina. so now he's on antibiotics and we're quarantining ourselves.

thank you everyone for your great advice. i'm sure that there is much of this i really cannot prevent, but I hope that I can do some little things to make it not so bad.

It would probably do you some good to maybe take the kids and yourself out to the part, providing you are not very very ill.  Some fresh air can do wonders.  With a virus, there really is nothing the doc can do, it is not treatable with antibiotics (of course depending on what it is, but usually antibiotics are not prescribed for viral infections).  Unfortunately you have to ride them out.

I take vitamins everyday and when an illness ran through our household and hit everyone, I was the sole survivor!  I really believe that vitamins can add benefits to our health.  If you can, without making yourself more ill, open the windows a bit, change all the bedding, dust and vacumn.  It can help a bit and make you feel a little more refreshed. 

Nothing like slipping into some cool sheets unless you have cold weather right now. 

I would advise you to eat some plain boiled potatos (no skin) and some yoghurt (plain, not vanilla or fruit flavored) and a bit of salt.  Eat this and it helps when the stomach is not feeling so up to eating much but the yoghurt helps a ton. 

Some tea of course..I am a big fan of tea and like to actually drink it before I eat most of the time, habit I picked up when I went to China, this has ALOT of benefits to it.

And, if your up to it maybe do something fun in the house with the kids if going out is not an option?  Coloring books and crayons   I remember my mom having those stashed away for when we got sick and had to be home.

one more thing, depending on your childrens age, maybe wash their toys.  if you have toddlers, i would do it frequently. 

i really hope that you and your children get well soon.  if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask

xoxo

aaliyah

I never get sick. I have never in my life had the flu. and all i do is take a multi vitamin every day. my nephew is 2 and he hasn't been sick either and he takes kids centrum everyday. maybe try getting a multi vitamin. I noticed you said mom so i am not sure what it would be called there but centrum here is a multi vitamin that is chewable and contains every vitamin and mineral from A-Z

Often lots of bugs go around & kids pick up every one of them! Make sure they are getting plenty of fresh fruit & veg & that they drink plenty of water. On days when they are not too bad, get them out in the fresh air.

The viruses your kids are getting are actually helping to boost their immune systems.  It might seem as though they are sick alot, and they probably are, but in truth, keeping them away from the viruses could do more long term harm than good.  For the last 4 months, we have had bug after bug, and being pregnant, it has felt like the end of the world, but I know that the likelihood of us getting a super flu bug that is super bad is slim because our immune systems have already been fighting the smaller bugs.

I believe the saying is 'Use it or lose it', a general saying, but can apply here.  The more bugs your immune system fights, the stronger it gets.  This will mean that the super flu bugs won't be as bad for you and your family, while they may be knocking everyone else flat.

I know how you feel as I have 2 boys under 3 & they are sick a lot! They usually have some kind of infection though - one gets croup & tonsilitis & has just had a chest infection & pneumonia within a month. The other has had tonsilitis & ear infections & now has a partially collapsed lung due to mucus. It can be very frustrating & depressing but you need to keep doing what you are doing - keep them out of the cold but don't isolate them completely. Kids catch things & it's good for their immune system if it's just viral. Make sure they eat lots of fruit & vegies - you can give them a vitamin suppliment if you are worried about their intake & they have kids cold vitamins that can help prevent things. Vapouriseres are great in their rooms at night when they have colds & help them get better faster. Chest rub on their chest, back & soles of their feet will help too. Feel free to minti mail me if I can help more.

Teshia

This is such a normal part of growing up.  And if you babies go to school or daycare they are more likely to get sicker often then if they stay home with you.  The main reason is because they are being exposed to more germs, more frequently and at a younger age.  I would not fret about it, and I would not keep them indoor for it either.  If they look miserable, then treat the symptoms, but really the best thing is to get out of the house and let them run and play.  For most kids, the common cold does not seem to phase them, and I've had my fair share.  Only if they spike a fever would I keep them in for a day, but it all a part of growing up.  Hang in there!  I know my daughter gets all her colds from her one cousin, and why?  Cause her mom does not care if she is sick or not, unless it's a really bad fever and she is acting sick, she will let my neice play with whom ever.  Like BB said below, lots of fruits and veggies always help boost the immune sys, as well as Vit C tablets.  Which you can get the chewable kind and mix it with a bit of water and give it to them everyday.  I used to give my girl 1000mg a day and it really did help.  Good luck!

Amy went through a few months of what seemed to be a constant cold and went to the doctors and like you said was told it was just a virus, then I told a friend about it who is really into natural remedies who told me that boosting her intake of friut and veg could help, now Amy is not a great veg lover so I concerntrated on the fruit and within a week she was well and touch wood we have been fit and well since. It could just be a coincidence but I like to believe it was a natural remedy.

I feel for you. My twins (now 12 months) were born preemies so we are especially careful not to get them sick, but being that my eldest is in preschool (he's 3), he brings home all sorts of germs.

I've been told that if it's just run of the mill viruses, it shoudl strengthen their immune system as they grow up.