Does exposure to germs in childhood strengthen the immune system?

Recent research suggests that contact with certain germs and parasites early in life can be healthy for the immune system. One study revealed that children who had several older brothers or sisters were much less likely to develop asthma, hay fever, or childhood eczema. It seems that by bringing home a variety of germs, the older siblings helped protect the younger ones from allergies. Another study revealed that children who were from small families but entered day care before the age of 1 year also were less likely to develop allergies compared with children who were older when they entered day care. Both studies suggest that when very young children regularly spend time with older children, whether at home or in another setting, it helps push their immune systems to protect them from developing asthma and wheezing later on.

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