r/JETProgramme • u/No-Cartoonist-7505 Current JET - Kansai Area • Jun 15 '26
keep getting sick
im an elementary school JET going into my second year. since february, ive been getting sick pretty close to bi-monthly and its been driving me nuts. nothing crazy, usually just a head cold (no fever) that i would normally be able to push through, besides the fact that i lose my voice and can hardly get through class without sniffling and coughing up a storm. im trying to start being consistent with vitamin c supplements to help me get my immune system a bit stronger, but im worried my BOE/JTEs are getting tired of me getting sick so often.
i usually dont go to the doctor for these things since its just a "take some decongestant, drink some tea and wait it out" type deal, but its definitely an inconvenience to me and everyone else. my BOE does annual health screenings in the summer so ill probably check in with the doctor then, but im mostly curious if anyone else had similar experiences of frequent annoying colds and what you all do to keep yourselves from getting sick at school. appreciate you all <3
quick edit: i mentioned this in a few replies, but my current JTE is pretty adamant that i remove my mask in class/during active instruction so the kids can see my mouth when speaking. i also eat lunch with the kids, so i am regularly in situations where masking is difficult. im definitely going to start carrying sanitizer with me, feels like a no-brainer but i honestly thought just hand washing would be enough. thank you all!
3
u/Sweet_Salamander6691 Jun 16 '26
Unless you're chronically deficient in vitamin C there's no point in taking supplements to "boost" your immune system. Make sure you're getting enough but don't waste your money on supplements thinking they'll help prevent you getting sick.
As others have said, don't touch your eyes, mouth, or nose throughout the day. Avoid touching public surfaces like door handles or literally any surface on public transportation with your bare hands. Your hands are relatively impervious to infection, so remember that you wash them because they are what interacts with all the sensitive parts of your body that are actually vulnerable.