A member asked:

Does exposure to germs in toddlers strengthen the immune system?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Joram Seggev answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine - Allergy & Immunology

Toddlers and dirt: There is a good chance that exposure to germs, both bacteria and certain common viruses, dirt, as in growing on a farm and catching infections from older siblings reduces the development of allergies. This is called the "hygiene hypothesis" - that living in too clean an environment leads to more allergies.

Answered 9/13/2012

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Yes: Exposure to germs in our everyday world will make the immune system stronger.

Answered 4/25/2016

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