Is the Hygiene Hypothesis True?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. While you are right that my personal experience is hardly

something to assume any kind of general conclusion, it's still real. And valid.

For one thing, there's information out there that raising children with pets helps improve their immune systems. Also, overall, our immune system is designed to allow us to experience various diseases in our youth (the old childhood diseases of past eras) and then protect us from other diseases in adulthood. Typically, our immune system gets less effective as we get older. Sigh.

In my personal case, it seems as if all those illnesses I got in my youth and recovered from have really boosted my immune system. I last got flu around 1975 or so. I don't bother with a flu shot, although I might at some point change my mind about that. And I am not about to suggest anyone reading this should pass on a flu shot. I have gotten Covid shots and boosters, and unlike many I know who have done the same, I have not gotten Covid. It's possible that the fact I live alone and don't often see many other people is important here.