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While some people believe in the highest levels of cleanliness and sanitation when it comes to their children, there are those who believe in a less-sterile approach. In fact, they think that exposing young ones to a certain level of germs can help build their immune system, making it more adept at fighting germs and avoiding illness such as asthma and allergies in the future.
According to an article published by WebMD, in a survey
by the Hygiene Council, 77% of mothers with children under 5 thought their children should be exposed to germs to help build stronger immune systems. The Hygiene Council, a group of health experts who focus on hygiene, is funded by an educational grant from Reckitt Benckiser, a WebMD sponsor.
As people increasingly live within high levels of sanitation, with filtered, purified water and germ-free food, exposure to bacteria becomes rarer. This may not be ideal for children whose immune systems are developing. So, while certain levels of hygiene should always be in place, such as washing hands after coming home, using the bathroom, etc., it may be a good idea to not overtly protect our children against routine germs.
For example, Kathleen Barnes, PhD, cited studies to WebMD that show that kids who grow up around pets are less likely to get asthma. Those who are exposed to cold and other germs from children in social situations are less likely to end up with allergies, asthma, and other health problems.
The same logic can be applied to the usage of antibiotics. Experts suggest that many common illnesses are caused by viruses and not bacteria. Since antibiotics only work on bacteria, they should only be used when necessary and prescribed by a licensed doctor, and not as a quick-fix for any illness. Antibiotics kill even useful bacteria and so, when administered unnecessarily, lower immunity against bad bacteria. Also, excessive use of an antibiotic could make an individual develop a level of resistance to it.
Antibacterial products are also under question for their effectiveness when it comes to hygiene and fighting illness, as there is no proof that antibacterial soaps are more efficient than regular soap. The bottom line is, the amount of bacteria, germs and viruses we are exposed to each day is tremendous. But only a few have the capacity to make you seriously ill. So while taking precautions such as washing your hands is necessary, some exposure is ultimately unavoidable, and may even be useful.
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