I really do have to wonder if we are altering our children’s resistance to common bacteria and viruses with the extreme emphasis on sanitize this, sanitize that. <old codger> I was born in 1962 and have a pretty good immune system. I am not knocked over by every bug that comes by and there was nowhere near the emphasis on santizing and the, well, ridiculous safety warnings that there are today. </old codger>. Now at work I am extremely germ conscious and, when I get home, I think I should burn my scrubs, lab coat, and then scour myself in the shower but I work in a hospital. Who knows what nasties I carry home.
I do know that diseases are becoming increasingly more resistant to antibiotics because of the use of antibiotics. I believe that people who take an antibiotic for every sniffle, including viruses (antibiotics do not affect viruses other than opportunistic infections), are contributing to this. I know that I have had doctors who want to hand out antibiotics for viruses to me and, when I point out that this is a virus I am being seen for, can I please be given something for the symptoms, they are surprised. Of course, yes, viruses can open the door for bacteriological infections and those need treatment.
I also tend to use homeopathic remedies (old ways my father treated me and things I have learned since then) and only go to the doctors when nothing works and, if it is a virus, it is too unpleasant to wait through or has caused an opportunistic infection.