Do we need germ exposure to keep our immune system strong?
Without knowing what is meant by “germs” (any type of microbe or only harmful microbes?) and what is meant by “strong” this is a difficult questions to answer.
In the C20th, its assumed meaning was “Does exposure to harmful microbes strengthen our immune system to fight infections”? But in 1989 the hygiene hypothesis was published proposing a link between rising rates of childhood allergies and living in cleaner homes with higher standards of personal cleanliness.
This was an attractive concept to the media and public who interpreted it as further proof that our modern obsession with cleanliness and hygiene is not only weakening our ability to fight infection but also our ability to “fight off” allergies.
The appeal of this simple analogy deflected us from understanding that allergic diseases occur when the immune system erroneously “fights” allergens because it is unable to recognise they are harmless. It is fighting allergens that causes the symptoms of hay fever, food allergies etc that we experience.
This section gives a brief summary of how the immune system works
– not only to protect us against infection and diseases - but also to protect us from reacting to/fighting harmless agents such as pollens, foods etc causing allergic reactions.
For more information go to:
Is lack of exposure to germs during COVID-19 weakening our systems?”
