TabbImmunology question! I understand it’s a myth that, for adults, getting sick makes your immune system stronger. But infants’ immune systems do get stronger over time, from age 0 to whenever. My question: for infants, does being exposed to pathogens help the immune system mature? This is definitely part of the folk wisdom repeated to us by any number of friends and relatives—and sometimes folk wisdom is right (enough)! Any insights and links especially appreciated #immunology #publichealth #covid
serialooie@tabbulator HI, you probably got an answer for this question by now, but if not, I thought this article was very good. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/is-the-hygiene-hypothesis-true
Is the Hygiene Hypothesis True? | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The hygiene hypothesis says exposure to germs helps kids develop healthy immune systems. But many viruses didn’t circulate as widely during the pandemic. Are there downsides to missed infections?
@serialooie Thanks! No, I didn't get an answer yet, but I love the article you sent