Why don't I always catch a cold?

[Spinnor]

Can I assume that even though I am a bit of a germ phobe that my body is on a daily basis exposed to cold germs? I try to be careful about keeping my hands clean and not sticking them in the wrong places (mouth, nose, eyes ?).

If I am constantly exposed to cold germs and I don't always get a cold can I assume that normally my immune system can fight off cold germs?

If I eat well, sleep well, and have a job that requires the expenditure of a moderate amount of energy can I assume that my immune system is best prepared to defeat cold germs that might get into me?

If on the other hand my diet is not optimal, I don't sleep enough or don't sleep well, and I work to exhaustion that my immune system is then not at peak performance and not best prepared to fight off cold germs?

If a cold germ manages to infect someone can I assume that there can be a spectrum of outcomes, from no signs of sickness to death from complications?

Thank you for any help or suggestions. Getting over a cold and pissed at getting sick.

 

[Drakkith]

I'd say you hit the nail on the head with every point. Normally your body does just fine even though it is surrounded by viruses and bacteria. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, you just can't fight off the germ quick enough to avoid getting symptoms and catching a cold. IE normally if a few bacteria/viruses get into you they are eliminated quickly, but sometimes they aren't and are able to multiply and cause symptoms.

 

[Dr_Morbius]

Also the common cold is not just one disease it's actually caused by many different combinations of viruses. As time goes on and you catch a cold your body becomes immune to that strain of the common cold and as you get older you are less likely to become infected with the common cold.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

IE normally if a few bacteria/viruses get into you they are eliminated quickly, but sometimes they aren't and are able to multiply and cause symptoms.

I'm not an expert, but I've always held the view that it's not usually the presence of a dangerous virus or bacteria or substance, but the amount that matters. Our bodies contain lots of dangerous entities, but usually are in manageable amounts and in the right places.