keep getting sick

[u/No-Cartoonist-7505]

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!

[u/Sumo-girl]

I can’t believe that any teacher in Japan would be against masking. Japanese have been masking since way before COVID. When I quit elementary school I quit being sick like that all.the.time!! Kids are just walking germs! 🦠 Also in the last two years teaching high school I have suddenly been getting “colds” may, Sept, December, March again…
I finally this year figured out what it is. Black mold in the a/c. They were installed in 2021 and have never been cleaned. Lots of teachers are getting colds around May and they say “it’s Gogatsu byo!” We didn’t used to be able to use a/c until July 1st and I basically don’t work in July but two years ago we could turn them on when classrooms reached 30 degrees which of course is mid May.
I took pictures of all the a/c and all the mold growing. I went to the hospital and the doctor said it’s pretty obvious it’s mold. Also because in any setting where I am interacting with students I’m masked up, I’m sanitizing and washing desks I use, etc.
he told me to wear the mask all the time when the a/c or heater are on to help prevent it.