Is my immune system shot? - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

whowhatwhenwhere · 07-21-2003, 01:17 AM

i was wondering if i have a bad immune system or if im just plain unlucky. when i was 16-17 i had to go on antibiotic minocyclin pills and Benzamycin cuz i had bad acne. i continued to use the cream and pills for 2 years straight. i went off the pills finnaly fuz i started having recurrent jock itch. even though i went off the pills i still got frequent jock itch up until i got this one bad case of it almost a year ago that lasted 3 months even with multiple treatments. ive been clear of that ever since until march i discovered i have molluscum contaginsm. i think i might be winning the battle over that for the time being. i now use a clidamycin based Benzaclin acne treatment and was wondering if i should completly go off it altogether or what? i didnt think external antibiotics were that bad for your health. Is my immune system bad? this past winter my family and my woman all got sick with colds and even my mom and dad got the flu and i never got sick which really is confusing considering i get everthing else in the world! i shower once a day, is that 2 much? i stay in the shower for like 30 minutes, is that 2 long? IM GOING CRAZY! im really stressed out over all of this and im even afraid to go outside in fear of getting something else. i really need help, thank you

mlgable · 07-21-2003, 10:36 AM

The antibiotics are what caused the overgrowth of yeast aka the jock itch. Anytime you take antibiotics you need be sure to eat plenty of yogurt with live active cultures or take acidophillis capsules to help prevent yeast infections. As for the molluscum this is spread by skin to skin contact and can be treated or left alone and it will eventually go away. It is all a matter of how the doc wishes to treat it. People who immune system is not up to par may catch this more easily than others but that doesn't mean your immune system is weak since you mentioned not getting colds or the flu this past winter. You best bet is to follow the treatments set up by your doc, eat plenty of yogurt or take the capsules and be sure to take a good multivitamin and antioxidant supplement to continue to keep you immune system healthy. Your showers are fine although I don't see a need for a 30 minutes shower as this is a waste of water when you should be able to get clean in much less time than that. Be sure you dry off well when you get out of the shower.