• Question: do you think we are to clean???

    Asked by edwardf to Adam, Catherine, Karen, Leila, Nazim on 13 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by emmam, mcot.
    • Photo: Adam Stevens

      Adam Stevens answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      What an interesting question. I have to say I would agree we are too clean! The human immune system works best if it has a bit of pressure on it – bacteria and viruses and things that we pick up. I have to admit I’m probably not the cleanest person :$

      The 5 second rule doesn’t really apply for me :$

    • Photo: Karen Masters

      Karen Masters answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      Hmmm well I do think that modern hygeine – the understanding that a lot of illness is carried by invisible bacteria or viruses which you can kill by washing – is in general a good thing. But I also think that sometimes we take that a bit far – and there are some theories that the increase in allergic reactions, and possibly even asthma in kids is to do with their guts never having the change to pick up healthy bacteria from the environment. I don’t know how much to believe that, but it’s an interesting idea.

      And please wash your hands after you go to the toilet. A study of commuter in London showed that a scary fraction of them had fecal matter (tiny bits of poo) on their hands. Mostly fine (as long as you don’t think about it too much), but just takes one person with a stomach bug to really mess up your week! 😉

    • Photo: Leila Battison

      Leila Battison answered on 19 Mar 2012:

      Yes I do! Although I will wash my hands when I’ve been doing something dirty, I don’t really believe in using all these cleaning products that ‘kill 99% of bacteria’ because we need the bacteria and viruses that are floating round everywhere to be able to keep our immune system on its toes. We can only react well to an illness if our body has already experienced it before, which is why innoculations work, and why people who are too careful about their health often get ill a lot worse than others!

      But be sensible obviously – washing daily and keeping your food and poo as separate as possible are still necessary to make sure germs don’t build up too much.

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