I catch almost any cold that goes around. I'm only 20 years old, and growing up I always had a fear of getting needles and didnt trust the doctor, but my parents always believed the doctor in thinking it was going to help me. I cacth every cold and flu that goes around and get sick as much as once every 3-4 weeks and usually really bad. I shower every day and take good care of my hygeine. A weird thing is when i was 16 my mom and i had to get a needle my doctor said we both needed, shortly after within one month of each other we both became severly lactose intolerant, my mom still is to this day but after 3 years mine went away.
I am also a very introverted person so i never go out with friends. I also never drink, but thats because i have a hernia in my stomache. I also never smoke, i tried it for a month, never felt addicted, and also felt really sick so i quit. I am exposed to a lot of germs at my work because im handelling cash at the register so i probably pick up a lot of germs from the money, but i also never wear gloves when i go to change the garbages at work, so im still exposed to some germs. I notice i get sick and run down a lot, im going to school full time and working 15 hours a week, at a job that takes me an hour long bus ride there and back standing because theres no seats left. I live in canada, and i notice everyone thinking they have to get every needle for any shot, but i think it makes ur immunity worse. I also have rheumatoid arthritis at 20, (runs in my fam), and whe i was first told i had it, the rheumatologist said that its because my immunity is so strong that its actually attacking its own body. I also think efficent amounts of sun mean something, here in canada in ottawa its cold for almost 6 out of 12 months with snow, and most of the time u have to get your vitamin d from milk but as a student i cant always afford a lot of food. I also try to get a lot of sleep but i never have time to sleep as a student so i think sleep helps. I also have asthma and find that if i dont wear a jacket or scarf in the cold even once, ill find myself coughing for a week and then have a cold. I do however get lots of fresh air, i leave my window open about an inch every night. I notice even as a positive perosn i catch everything that goes around. If you have pets thats another way of catching things too even if they dont go outside, but i think im going to expose myself to more germs after reading this site.

I dont ever get sick anymore. It seems that I become imune to things when exposed. I got the the flu once in my life in 1987 . I am 36 yrs old , I am over weight eat whatever. I remember once my girlfriend and I ate some fast food she couldnt finish her food. So I did it tasted funny, I had to take her to the hospital later that night cause she had gotten food poisiong. I got a slight upset stomach. On a regular bases I have a high body temp, and thin blood also oily skin I look about ten years younger than I am. When everybody gets a really bad flu, I might get a headache for a day. or Maybe a runny nose for a day. that only happens once a year while every body else is home sick in bed with a nasty flu..

I never had the flu (or something else).. Iam 47 y old, male. I eat a lot of meat, beef, horse, chicken whatever also fruits banana's, apples, grapefruits, and oranges
I smoke, drink alcohol.....mainly cold beer also milk.
My colleagues at work tell me to stop smoking.... I told them this.. I never had to report sick...never, not for 30+ years, they do report sick ave. +3 days or more a year. 30x3 days makes 90 days. I think I have the right to go on a vacation for 90 days.....

Greetings,
Rik

I am a 66 yr. old woman. I have not had the flu in 54 yrs., have never had a flu shot and rarely get a cold. If I do get a cold, it's a 2 day sniffle. I love food but don't always eat real healthy. I know I should eat more fruits and veggies than I do. I do take a multi-vitamin now, only because my doctor wants me to. I get some excercise now, through a gym in the past year. As for not getting sick, I just tell myself I don't have time for it. I have had a lot of sick people around me through the years but for some reason, I have an immunity to it.

It seems a lot of people on here who don't get sick, put little or no care into their health. I myself have Hypothyroidism and Anxiety/stress problems so I rarely see a day when I'm no sick. It really affects my life since I can't go anywhere with the fear I'll get sick, and if I constantly live in fear of getting gastro (for the seveth time) as it last upto a week for me... Seeing people gloat about not getting sick at all and treating their bodies like shit makes me really depressed. Every night I pray that I could be a normal person so I wouldnt have to always be in pain, and people take advantage of it...really.

I don't do any of that stuff and I have never had a flu in my life (I'm 30 and no flu shots ever). I have had small colds as a child but infrequently and they lasted like 3-4 days max. I shall mention that I smoke a pack a day, don't wash my hands except when well..that's a little too much info hehe! I eat everything, no discrimination lol. I'll eat some veggies...if stir fried/drenched in sauce. I drink a couple of vodka on the rocks with splash of club soda and lemon several times a week. I would never put peroxide in a sink and make bubbles...that's crazy! I shower every other day(call me gross I don't care) and I use soap sparingly because it gives me terrible eczema. I have no smell and not a single guy has complained that I should go take a shower ;). Skin is baby smooth and lovely. I use a bit of plain water and a cloth on second day and I'm good to go. Doing so I believe exposes you to germs/bacteria more than the clean freaks out there so more exposure= more building up of immunity I guess. I'm also a firm believer of mind over matter. I always say it to anyone who will listen "I never get sick" and I firmly believe it. I do absolutely nothing to protect myself from colds etc and I still don't get them. I don't even dress warmly in the winter...I often have no gloves/hat, zippered down coat with no scarf. My mother cringes when she sees me lol;) Germs, bacteria, virus... No problem at all. I trust my strong immune system. Go out, have a good time, touch everything and leave the sanitizer to hospitals lol. Don't worry and enjoy life!

I have never in my life had a fever or puked (other than from drinking too much alcohol). I have always thought it was weird when people stayed home sick from school or work with "the flu" because I never could manage to catch it and have a real reason to stay home. I have had some colds but never ever the flu. I am starting to wonder why and how I am immune. I have even been around people with the flu and still not caught it. I am not really healthy either. I don't take vitamins or eat really healthy food. It's so weird. Hmmm...

I have never had the flu. Colds, yes. Bronchitis, Strep, even double ear infections. But never the flu, nor do I remember anyone in my house ever having it. No reason why at all. Just plain LUCKY! I've been a teacher in public school for over 15 years now and still flu free. I thank my lucky stars. From what I've heard and read, I DON'T WANT IT EVER! Whatever made up reasons people post, that's just silly. If you, like me, have been spared - count yourself among the few and just be glad. Don't make up reasons why, there aren't any to actually back you up besides good ol'lady luck!

Wow. I never do any of those things and get sick maybe once every two or three years. Never had the flu. Go figure. I do drink a decent amount of alcohol, maybe that's my secret. I'm 35, add me into your calculations.

These '5 secrets' are nonsense! You know what the REAL secret is?? There isn't one... I am rarely ever poorly, everyone around me seems to get colds, coughs, sickness etc.. I am always the one who doesn't catch anything, maybe I just have a good immune system but I don't have or do anything special r different to prevent getting ill.
As for the person who said they got the flu when you had the flu gab... that's the normal effect of the flu gab, it actually gives you the flu! I guess you didn't know that.

Wash your hands. A lot. Like every couple hours. Don't go around touching other people or letting other people touch you, especially people you don't live with and whose germs you probably haven't been exposed to before. If someone near you coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth, hold your breath for 10 seconds. I've lived in NYC and Chicago for many years, taking public transit almost everyday, and I haven't had the flu in 20 years.

Okay, let me straighten it out. The flu is a virus. A cold is an infection. They give antibiotics for infections, not viruses unless it's a viral infection. Cold air can cause Pnemonia, another infection. But it usually just lowers your resistance to other infections that you may have gotten.

last year, I got the flu shot for the first time in my life and lo, I caught the flu.
This was no ordinary flu. I had crazy coughing that would not go away.
The coughing made my lungs feel like it was on fire, it was horrible and something that I never experienced.

It took me 4 -5 months to get over this "flu". So no flu shot this year.

I now take this mixture when I feel I'm coming down with something or when people around me have the flu:

2 teaspoons powdered L-Lysine
1 capful Sambucol syrup
1 reg. old fashioned aspirin (325mg)
1 packet of Walgreens fitness drink
1 packet Emergen-C 1000mg Vit c powder (any flavor)
8 oz Water

Not getting colds flu and the like can be a sign to the contrary, a bad sign in that your immune system isn't working properly. I know a very unhealthy guy who never exercises and smokes continuously and never has a cough. He cannot be in the best health I suggest yet never has obvious symptoms.

I have never been sick that i know of, no cold, flu...etc. i dont eat healthy almost no veggies at all. I dont excersize. I dont wash my hands except after working on my car, i eat fast food and junk food alot. I eat food off the ground regardless of where i am (except the bathroon i suppose) i rarely brush my teeth, i guess i have had a lot of cavities from that though. I smoke about a pack of cigarettes a day and i regularly smoke pot. I dont take ANY medications prescribed otc. I make out with my wife when she has strep throat, i dont shy away when people are sick, maybe when they sneeze just to avoid projectiles. How bout that? Just believe you wont and you wont! Never had a flu shot either!

Expose yourself. I know im gross but heck i barely ever wash my hands, i dig up my nose, i dont eat right, nor do i excersise all that much. Sure i got sick maybe ONCE A YEAR when i was younger. but now i never get sick. its all about building your immunities. Now i do shower every day. So go dig out in the dirt, go touch hand rails, and everything else enjoy life!

I dont do any of that stuff and haven't caught a cold in 4 years - my wife gets sick with them and I still dont catch them - the only weird thing I do is not touch my face and have a phobia of touching "public" things, anything that is commonly touched by everyone.

I am a kidney plant patient, susceptible to germs due to low immune system medication, I rarely have flue due to 2 things I do,
1 - Nose clean with water at least 5 times a day
2 - whenever sneezing, nose congestion , I rub inside nose with VICKS gel, thanks GOD

2-3x warm lemon water a week after you get out of bed and before you do anything...staf yourself with with pure unflavored water as much as posible and if you want to sneeze /what is totally normal for 3-10x a day/ go to secluded area or just turn back take a deep breath-in close the mouth and sneeze "on full power" while send the air out over the nose....all sign of thingling nose dissapear ...virus or bacteria will hardly ever get in ....never stop or quiet the sneeze in progres.... no colds for a very long time-no flu even longer...

Having a shower once a week?!?!? Are they kidding?? Is this a person who lives alone in a shack in the woods? Because seriously, who would want to be around you, never mind sleep in the same bed! Yuck!! Please, please, you need to bathe daily. If your co-workers haven't told you, then somebody should for God's sake.

Good grief, a cold is caused by a virus, not an uncovered head....duh! I rarely get colds and have no idea why, nor do I care. Life is far too short to obsess over things like this. Do everything in moderation and just enjoy life. If you believe everything that is out there, you shouldn't eat or drink anything at all. I despise people who believe that scaring people over things like this is the proper way to go.
I will not wear a hat, but I do have a hood on my coat that I use frequently when the weather is bad. Hats severely irritate my ears causing them to burn.
Whatever happened to just good old common sense?
People who rarely get sick are probably blessed with a stronger immune system.

Sounds like an advertisment for Ester-C!!! Sillies...just for the record...vitamin C doesn't do that much to keep us from getting sick....scurvey? yes.....cold and flu?...no!!!

If you want a real trick that works...try ZINC!!! 50mg a day and you'll boost your immune system tons!!! Plus eating a healthy diet free from most junk foods and pop never hurt either!!!

I take "Ester-C" 1000mg tablets; one tablet a day for "maintenance". I'll take up to 1 tablet 4 times a day if i'm starting to feel the onset of a cold or if i'm already sick (cold is gone within 3 days). It also has a special formula that makes it easy on the stomach.

I am trying to learn the causes of sicknesses and what I can do to prevent them from happening. My "secret" is to keep a one page summary of what I believe will affect whether I will get sick or not. This list is updated whenever new information is discovered. The list is a constant reminder to take care of my health. It is still a personal experiment and might not apply to everyone.
Part One of list contains foods that promote inflammation and sickness i.e. polyunsaturated oils, wheat, fructose etc.
Part Two is lists of foods that promote health ie. saturated fat. meat, eggs, fermented foods etc.
Part Three is a list of symptoms from eating too many foods from Part One i.e. heart disease, arthritis , cancer, obesity, diabetes, leaky gut,etc.
Part Four is a list of bad dietary and medical advice i.e. saturated fat is bad, cholesterol is bad, eat margarine, eat a low fat hifh carbohydrate diet, there is a pill for everything, etc.

My belief is that how you treat your gut will determine whether you get sick or not.
My latest discovery is the importance of gut bacteria and their relationship to the immune system.

you mose certaintly can get a cold in the winter without a hat on a windy day lynda which when i read this with a chuckle because i forgot my hat one day got a cold along with a earache which common sense is wear a warm hat on a cold wonter walk .and warm booties lynda dont you think in nursing they would not stress this to their clients anywhere in our climate that we have in ontario,go up north see if you need a hat there right now.flu shots do not stop people from getting colds they only prevent the flu symtoms was getting worse.so take vitamin c hot teas and dress in layers and wear a hat.there is nicer styles of hats now so people dont have to look like old mother hen.actually look at the new princess wow that sure brought in the newer looks for the climate changes.i wonder how many ear infections they get there.common sense for common colds people and take that warm thermos to the rink and a pack of kleenex.

I never get sick. I have no special secret. I don't watch what I eat (I only eat meat and green veggies). I am not afraid of germs. I let sick people cough and sneeze on me. I drink the tap water in Mexico. I just don't get sick. I would never get the flu shot. I also do not get infections. If I cut myself , I never clean the wound, no matter what. I never take antibiotics, EVER!

hello " Charlie Battel on" to answer your question about 'Alfred E Neuman's'
wellness, please note. the author subsidized the reprinting of a book that
he gave credit to, for helping his family maintain optimum health. this very
wealthy fellow did it to make this information available at a very low price.
the book is 'The Pulse Test' by Dr. Coca. it teaches a 'do it yourself routine'
to quickly heal self and others. it is available for a few over the internet
and you may also find a free Ebook download like i did, to pass along.
anyone with the time can research 'AdamDreamHealer' and 'Ronnie Hawkins'
cure. it is nice to be able to wave your finger and cure another's body.
love all - jim

Love some of the viewers ridiculous comments;
1. I take a shower once a week!
2. Musterbate for excercise, lol
3. Wash your hands constantly?
4. I carry sanitizer everywhere.
5. Avoid people with pale complection?
6. Don't eat out because it's really BAD, lol.
7. Pray to god because it gives your heart a rythm?

Here is the real story behind flu/colds;

1. It's a virus which spreads thru air. There is no cure, no immunity, no defence. The only reason you haven't had one, is because you just got lucky, nothing else.
2. You don't need any PALE complection person to cough on you. Virus is air borne!!!
3. Hands washing does absolutely nothing, except drying out your skin and adding more toxic chemicals onto your skin.
4. Eating out could potentialy make you obese, but it's not bad for you when you eat smart.
5. Musterbating is for pleasure not for exercise. This guy must have hairy hands by now, lol.
6. Praying does not regulate your heart rythm, that is absolute nonsense. There had been some studies on this phenomenon, but like all studies of this nature, inconclusive.
7. Taking a shower once a week! The person that does that is absolutely disgusting. Poor personal hygienne used. Can't even imagine the smell comming from that individual.

The real facts are; No human has immune system that can destroy flu virus. There is no cure for flu/cold virus.
The air in your home is up to 10X more dirty that outside air.
Always air out your home, summer or winter, for atleast 30 minutes daily. Get rid of stale, polluted air traped in your home. Most of the runny noses are from dirty air which causes alergies.

I have to agree with Brandon. I don`t get sick either mainly because I don`t want to. I eat anything I want..sometimes it`s even green. My eyesight isn`t what it used to be. It`s simply mind over matter, and I don`t doubt my Will at all. I know it will handle anything it comes into contact with.

Well, I guess some people have their strategies worked out but you'll never catch me dipping my face in a hydrogen peroxide bath or taking a cold shower in the middle of winter. Eating the right foods in the right quantities and perhaps using nutritional supplements as appropriate makes perfect sense, although following the latest nutrition research can be confusing.

I think that much of what Lynda wrote in her earlier comment hits the mark on disease prevention. In addition, I would say that I like using a neti pot with a mild saline solution, and try to get enough sleep on top of eating well and being mindful of stress. We modern humans also frequently try to tough out the beginnings of a cold rather than just packing it in and getting the rest and fluids that we need to recuperate. It's too bad that not everyone can afford to take time away from work or family responsibilities to make this very sensible choice, but it's so much better than risking infecting others and extending the whole painful experience of being ill.

You forgot mind over matter. I very rarely get sick..haven't had the flu in about 25 years, and I don't get the common cold either. Most people, when they come in contact with someone who is ill, says something to the effect of " Great..now I'm going to get it too" They have pre-dispositioned themselves to allowing they will get sick, and therefore, they do. When I come into contact with someone that is ill, they usually say "don't come too close, or you will get this" to which I reply "No I won't" This usually garners the "how do you know" reponse, and my answer is always " because I have decided that I will not get it. I don't have the time or the patience to get sick, so I am not going to"
I have NEVER had the flu shot, and never will. I also do not follow any of the secrets listed above.
I have complete control over my body, and if more people realized that they can control illness simply by believing, less people would be sick.
I know this is just my opinion, but it works for me!

Not sure which was more amusing, the actual posts or the crazy comments (of which I am now contributing to) Sounds like a crap shoot to me. "Stick your face in a sink of dilluted hydrogyne peroxide and blow bubbles out of your nose?" SERIOUSLY?? I can't believe someobne would do that let alone you printing it in your article. I like the 70 and then they give you a list of do's and don't's.... Doesn't sound like much fun (well except maybe the sex idea -but no smoking afterwards) This article would have been better if it were featured on a Humour page rather than "Best Health"... Hydrogyn peroxide....HA, still laughing about that one

Well, these things don't even make sense! I honestly don't think the majority of people who don't get sick do these things!!! Only a few.

I agree with the positive "self talk". I have telling myself and other people I never get sick, and I never do. The brain is more powerful than any of these mentioned remedies but it takes time - you have to completely get rid of all your self doubt and believe in what you think and what you say.

I haven't had a cold for a number of years now, and the flu even longer. When I go out, I am very conscious about not putting my hands to my face. I wash my hands frequently. And I also brush my teeth with Colgate Total, which kills bacteria for 12 hours. My thinkng is that if some germ enters through my mouth that maybe it will kill it?? Who knows? And I use a Saline spray in my nose, twice a day. I watched a program once where a nurse was saying that it flushes out the nose and could possibly help in avoiding a cold. Seems to be working so far.

To the person that said that they got a cold from going outside without a hat.....NOT POSSIBLE.

I watch what I eat, exercise and live what I consider to be a balanced life. I'm healthy and not totally immune to a passing cold once in a blue moon.

Over the years I have read a lot about healthy living and eating, so It was amusing to read 5 secrets to never getting sick. This total bull and only intended to help with the book sales. Marketing campaign. Please don't listen to this, just use your common sense to eat well, exercise and live a happy and fulfilling live.

Who writes these things? I barely ever get sick, and I never do these things...

There is an easier way to avoid dry skin. Instead of taking a cold shower everyday, don't take a shower at all everyday. A shower once a week is ample for your body. Too much washing is the number one cause of dry skin.

Top two secrets to not getting sick. #1) wash your hands a lot! #2 constantly tell yourself and other people that you never get sick. The mind is an amazing thing that can be harnessed. I cant remember the last time i was legitimately sick. Ive been saying i dont get sick since i was like 12 years old. works for me.

Have never read such complete nonsense except for hand cleansing. Take 2000 IU of Vit D-3 every day, always carry a hand sanitizer, and use often if you have been touching public objects.

- wash your hands OFTEN, during the day. Avoid sharing multi-use cups, plates, keyboards, handles...

- keep "lean" red meat in your weekly diet, as well as chicken, caffeine, eggs, fruits, veggies

- drink water and alcohol in moderation "daily"

- keep your home, surrondings warm, sleep well

- light exercise includes self-masturbation, if no option

- avoid person's with a cold, sniffles, sudden weak /pale complexion

- keep stress in check and believe in the faith of your almighty to help you in life

Geo. Burns "may have" eaten a low calorie diet?, since he is dead it cannot be verified, but he did smoke "3 stogies per day," anyone suggesting that might have prolonged his life? It is as valid a conclusion because the stogies at least are fact.

I too find the things in the article somewhat useless. I would like to share something that I have noticed in the last few years. I started drinking a lot of water - about 2 litters per day. Of course, that means several trips a day to the washroom and of course washing my hands several times per day. Since then, I rarely if ever get sick. All the articles on cold and flu prevention mention the importance of hand washing. With my experience, I believe it!!

Stay well everyone.

I'm dead so I never get sick either.

I rarely get sick, and I follow almost none of those rules. I don't think I've had the flu in almost 8 years. I don't smoke, and I do try and go outside a little bit during the day, even if I am only walking from work to my vehicle. Rarely do I get to exercise though between being a full time student and working. I eat red meat every day, processed or not, and at dinner I always have at least one type of meat with noodles, potatoes, or rice, and a vegetable. I do not follow any religion, and I am pretty much apathetic towards any sense of belief system. I do read a lot, and can spend what few hours I have in front of a computer, or with my nose in a book. My husband is the same way, and he is sick even less than I am. I think, rather, listen to what your body needs. You can feel if there is something missing from your diet, or lifestyle, most of the time through your cravings, or aches and pains. Live your life as you feel, get the vitamins you need, and be happy. That's what I do.

Nightrider: You are full of it. or alzhiemers is setting in. NEVER had a cold? Right...Never been exposed to "enviromental" smoke? Do you live in a cave in northern saskachewan? That would explain the "no resturants" those sneaky so&so's, making their food taste good...how dare they? You left out "never travel", since eating in a resturaunt is pretty much a necessity when traveling.
Your "common sense" solutions may make for a long life...a loooong DULL life! Can't argue with #7 though; You got me there.

In my opinipn the best Defence against getting a cold is to wash your hands constantly, especially before touching your face or eating anything that you might touch. I think getting a good nights sleep helps a lot too.

Everything mentioned in this post and from what others have said regarding a common sense attitude is still not enough to explain why some get sick and some don't. All things suggested will either boost or inhibit your immune system, but what is the baseline function of the immune system? What controls it's function? Of course it is the nervous system, and with a weak nerve system, a weak immune system will follow. So it the nerve system dictates the function of the immune system, does it make sense to boost the immune system with x, y, z when the problem lies with an inhibited nerve system? No! This is why some of you have tried remedy after remedy and still haven't been able to prevent the common cold.
What's the solution? If the problem is a weak nervous system, there is a high probability that you have subluxation, which is interference to nerve system function. Only your Chiropractor can correct this, so set up an appointment and get checked today!

Wow! For the majority of us the lifestyle change that Gene recommends would be dramatic. In other words, "Nah, that's not for me."
So simple, so true and so widely ignored. Perhaps we should all ask ourselves what Alfred E. Neuman (always so healthy looking) did, "What? Me worry?"
Imagine what the pharma companies and GP's would have to diversify into to stay in business?
I'll have another helping of potatoes, prime rib, and gravy as soon as I finish this cigarette....... and nah to the spinach salad.

i rarely get sick - i was the only one in a household of 6 who didn!t have a flu shot and the only one who didn!t get the flu-- i gargle one peroxside lid and one lid of water every day and swab my nostrals every day during flu season