i have a friend who has a herpies virus that gives him a cold sore every winter for a few weeks. this means that the virus is permanent in his system. my question is why does this always happen in the winter? why do colds and flu always become more prevalent during the winter?
im guessing on both because during the winter ones immune system is lower for whatever reason.
my question, is the winter lull in ones immune system a problem while battling lyme? is the immune system that pivotal in battling lyme? how many people have "recoverd" from lyme during the winter months?
Posted by elizzza811 (Member # 24713) on :
Less sunlight probably has something to do with it. My boyfriend gets cold sores, too, every winter.
You might want to tell your friend to try taking l-lysine every winter though. My ex-husband actually contracted genital herpes, and he swears by l-lysine. I know they are different viruses, but it's worth a try...
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
I have heard that it is not a good idea to go off Abx during the winter regardless if you are symptom free. It does makes me wonder-- for example if you live places that it is warm during the winter-- if that still applies. Is it the weather, or is the just the time of year or what?
I am personally inclined to agree with this...but thats just a gut reaction.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My lyme doctor says that winter is a stress on the body. I have seen that. Older people seem to start dying by Thanksgiving. More funerals by Christmas. More older people die in the winter than any other time.
People with lung problems get sick every winter. They cannot handle breathing cold air, for one thing.
Also, they say that indoor air is of a much worse quality than outdoor air. We are breathing so much more indoor air in the winter compared to warmer weather when we are outside a lot more. I think that is why we get the flu in the winter also.
So, the winter is harder on the immune system. You have to handle the cold, the poor quality indoor air, cold and flu germs in the indoor air, etc. If you have a weakened immune system, winter is going to be harder on it. That's why my lyme doc does not allow any lyme patient to stop treatment in winter.
I became symptom free right before winter. But, he required me to stay on meds until spring. Otherwise, there is a possibility of relapse since the immune system may not be up to handling winter yet.
So, it is not that a person's immune system is lower in the winter, it is that it has to work harder in the winter to keep you healthy. A weakened immune system may not be up to the task.
By the way, in March it will be 6 years since I completed my lyme treatment and I am still symptom free, enjoying my life.
Posted by wgshuckers (Member # 27869) on :
TF, Did you have muscle and joint pains?
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
No.
Posted by JunkYardWily (Member # 24271) on :
ive also wondered why one would feel better when their immune system is operating well. wouldnt a robust immune system kill off more lyme causing us to herx/feel worse? i think i tend to feel better not in the winter.
congrats TF on your 6 year anniversary.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
It could be because of the lowered vitamin D levels in the winter. Most of us need supplemental vitamin D in the winter time.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
They now theorize it is lack of vitamin D in winter that lowers the immune system.
I wonder if going below the equator during winter would help boost my immune system. I always regress in fall and then get better around this time of year.
Posted by Maradona (Member # 24552) on :
It is becouse big oscilations on the vitamins on the body.
Hormones play very big part to.
All hormones are depresed during winter.
Brain is depresed because in the winter light is decreased to that effects brain and brain effects hormones.