Transplant keeps getting sick (St. Louis, California: transplants, apartment, house)

[Nomadvan]

We moved to St. Louis 4 years ago from California. I love this city except for the fact that I keep getting sick! I get sick monthly. I think I keep getting various viruses, bacterial infections, and sinus problems. It's really debilitating, and I get really depressed and lethargic from having to constantly fight off these illnesses.

I've had friends tell me that they were sick also the first two years that they moved here, but then they said they felt ok. When I lived in California, I remember getting sick only a couple of times. I was so healthy. Do you think environmental factors play a role? Have any of you other transplants experienced this too?

I really really want to stay in Saint Louis, but I think I might have to move away for health reasons.

[glamatomic]

I'm honestly not sure I am originally from Australia and used to get sick a LOT when I lived over there... Then rarely got sick when I moved to STL.

I then moved to North Carolina and was getting sick ALL the time. 5 years later I moved back here and bam, well again! In short, I'm healthier here than I am elsewhere. I don't even get allergies here, yet get them like mad in Aus and NC.

What kind of sickness are you getting? Could it be just extreme allergies? Alternatively, do you have a job where you come into contact with a lot of people?

[glamatomic]

Another thought... could it be the building you're living in?

When my husband and I were in NC we were saving up to buy a house, so rented the cheapest house we could find to save money, and I swear that house was part of the reason I was sick so much.

In spite of my cleaning, I think there was probably mold behind the drywall, and there was probably decades of dirt in the carpet that my vacuum couldn't get up no matter how hard it tried.

If you live in an older building or apartment, perhaps there's mold lurking behind the walls? Exposure to black mold can weaken your immune system, and also lead to sinus trouble among other things.

[billiken]

Living in a place with mold was my 1st thought too.

[mjtinmemphis]

It may be the city and allergens. There is a lot of greenery in St. Louis and some of the allergens may not agree with you.

I ran into the same thing when I moved to Chicago. The first spring was awful. I woke up every morning with red eyes and a sore throat. Not every environment will work for everyone.

My brother came to visit me last weekend and got sick. He remembered battling allergies growing up in the area. He could never live in St. Louis again even though he loves the city.

Only thing I can recommend is talking to a physician who deals with natural remedies or someone who can give a professional recommendation on how to manage your issue naturally.

[glamatomic]

Alternatively- if it's not your home... maybe it's your workplace? Even in newer buildings, if there are windows that don't open and the AC / Heating System isn't maintained as meticulously as it should be, you can get sick from all of the recirculated air.