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Q: Is #lockdown and all this #InfectionPrevention bad for my immune system? Don’t we need to be exposed to enough colds and bugs to keep our immune systems strong?
A: Great question! This is a tricky concept for sure. Our answer in this thread
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You might have heard of the “hygiene” hypotheses, which suggests that immune-related disorders like allergy and asthma are more common today because of decreased exposure to everyday microbes in our sanitized environment.
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The key point of this hypothesis is “early exposure to a diverse range of “friendly” microbes—not infectious pathogens—is necessary to train the human immune system to react appropriately to stimuli.”
see this @PNASNews article: pnas.org/content/114/7/…
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So yes, let your kids play in the dirt, cuddle your pets, visit a farm, and don’t feel too bad about the 3 second rule.
Even if you don't have access to dirt, a few months inside will not make a measurable difference to your immune system.
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While there is NO evidence that additional exposure to infectious diseases like colds, flu, or norovirus are beneficial for the immune system. .
Too many pathogenic infections may increase the risk of inflammatory diseases later in life.
Let them eat dirt!
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