I am in my fourth week of a sinus/chest cold. It started when I woke up with a sinus headache one morning, lost my voice by nightfall and I've been coughing ever since. Last weekend my son got a sinus cold so I think that is hitting me too.

The tea & water thing helps - rest is huge. I've read a couple books...that makes me stay stilll...caught up on my PVR. I try to eat for nutrition - veggies, citrus. I wish there was a magic pill. At night, if I need to, I will use a sniffing sinus decongester (whatever you call that!) so I can breathe through my nose & sleep...I deal with dryness & if I sleep with my mouth open I don't sleep long and cough more.

Did I mention rest ? Huge. I have an active job that I downsized & am downsizing again. I get tired, sickness, feeling ill, comes back on me quick.

Good luck...take care of yourself.

Be careful what you take to support your immune system so you are not counter acting the immunosuppressant you might be on, like Plaquenil.
I didn't know about the Echinacea. Am going now to look at the Zicam my hubby had me taking for a cold as I've been in a long flare, may be due to that :p
Just know with Lupus, it's hard to know and always better safe than sorry. Anything we get we keep for much longer than others.
Take good care

Sufficient rest and good nutrition are very important. In addition, I take olive leaf extract (in capsule form), plus InflamericZyme by Olympian Labs (a natural anti-inflammatory). They both work well for me. The olive leaf extract helps me to avoid colds and bronchitis. Also, from my research, I read that boswellia is good for Lupus, and that is one of the main ingredients in the InflamericZyme, along with turmeric, which is probably why it works well for me. I take other supplements for various problems.

Whenever the lupus attacks my eyes, ears, and brain, I add feverfew to the InflamericZyme. But when the lupus attacks my bladder, I drink a "tea" made with warm water, raw honey, and cinnamon. It helps get rid of my UTI's, etc.

To answer your question about prednisone, yes, it does make us more vulnerable to catching things because it suppresses our immune systems (at least that's my understanding). I can't recall if I've "met" you before, so, if not, welcome to this group of nice people. Here's hoping that you find what will work to keep you healthier.

Thank you for the feedback everyone! It's amazing how helpful it is just KNOWING there are people struggling with the same issues. I rested yesterday as much as I could, knowing I would have to go back to work today. Unfortunately, I work a pretty stressful job.

Last night I did something new, where I put an essential oil mixture called OnGuard and lavender into boiling water and put my face over it, with a towel over my head. After 10 minutes, I was so relaxed and it felt wonderful to breathe in the moisture.

I will look into those supplements, nanny!

Thanks all :)