I came across this idea a few months ago - that continued low-level exposure to viruses helps to keep our immune systems trained, even as adults. Is it true? As someone who has been shielding since 2020 from Covid I'm wondering if I'm in some ways not doing myself any favours, and what would happen if I stopped.
I read about this study recently, might be relevant. Innate Immunity and Asthma Risk in Amish and Hutterite Farm Children, 2016, Stein et al
Thanks, @forestglip. I've read about exposure to various things being good for children but I wonder if it's different for adults, given that our immune systems have already had an education? I'm also wondering if it's a different picture for response to viruses, as opposed to allergies.
I doubt there is any reliable evidence other that if you have met a virus before you are less likely to have trouble with that one again. I huge amount of blather has been said about this over the years. The low levels of asthma in Amesh could be due to 101 things. Moreover, I don't see it having anything to do with having good responses to infections.
