054. Flu Fighters
usedbooks on Oct. 4, 2009
It's almost common knowledge that the best way to strengthen your immune system is by allowing yourself to be exposed to a variety of germs and conditions. It is the basis of vaccinations, which are highly effective at preventing specific illnesses. (In fact, some vaccination programs can effectively wipe out diseases, such as with small pox.) That's why I am not only amazed but concerned about parents attempting to keep their children in sanitary little bubbles by bleaching everything, giving them bottled water, using hand sanitizer, etc.
Sanitizers have the added problem of helping generate more resistant and dangerous strains of bacteria. Natural selection is accelerated in bacteria because they reproduce so quickly – developments so rapid that scientists can't even designate “species” but instead talk only of strains. If you use a sanitizer that kills “99% of all bacteria,” that one percent that it doesn't kill will easily propagate itself into the next generation, which will, of course, possess that resistance.
In short, kids should probably be allowed to get a little dirty.
Gelotology is currently up for review in the DD Forum.
Loud_G at 5:42AM, Oct. 13, 2009
I totally agree on the let kids get dirty topic. Let them eat off the floor, lick the cat, whatever. Being overprotective just means they won't have the needed immunities later in life.
Nicotine at 12:18AM, Oct. 11, 2009
LOL, this is a great one! It's true though, parents are really obsessed with these things. They've installed hand sanitizer things all over the library where I work, especially in the children's room.
Locoma at 7:34AM, Oct. 6, 2009
yeah and television isn't helping with their ads, they're doing a great job making people paranoid about dirt. I remember when it was just a gag for sitcoms, not the way to be.
ghostrunner at 9:25PM, Oct. 5, 2009
thats kind of ironic
demontales at 5:04PM, Oct. 5, 2009
So true, everywhere I see people obssessed by bacterias and they just help them
usedbooks at 12:16PM, Oct. 5, 2009
@Anubis: Within reason. ;-) @patrick: I don't get flu shots or anything either. I was really healthy until I graduated and stopped interacting with people daily. After that, I started getting a cold every time I rode on the bus. @dueeast: Thanks! The review forum is very slow/dead lately. @amanda: Vaccinations aren't for everyone. For a vaccine program to work, not *everyone* has to get the shot, just a majority (enough to reduce the potential reservoirs for spreading the virus). If you aren't vaccinated, but most of the people you come in contact with are, you most likely won't get sick. (Or you could catch a less virulent strain, which will act like a vaccination itself.) @Gillespie: Soap and sanitizer are different things. Sanitizers kill bacteria. Soap simply helps wash things off you by binding with lipoproteins (which are both water and oil soluble). Soap shouldn't be overused either because it washes away the natural oils that keep your skin and hair healthy.
Gillespie at 11:58AM, Oct. 5, 2009
I have learned a very important thing today. Take that, school! And I'll be careful around soap now. And the really bad germs and bacteria.
amanda at 11:53AM, Oct. 5, 2009
In fact, let's shove children in the mud! Yay! Heh, I can't have flu shots on account of my egg allergy ^.^
dueeast at 8:02AM, Oct. 5, 2009
Another comic that made me laugh. Great point! I just posted my review in the thread btw. :)
patrickdevine at 10:22PM, Oct. 4, 2009
You know everything you're supposed to do to avoid getting sick? Yeah, I don't do those things. I wash my hands and all, but in general my living conditions are pretty dirty. I almost never get sick though, which is pretty cool. There's a definite trade off, I can avoid getting the flu for years at a time but I smell weird.
Anubis at 10:05PM, Oct. 4, 2009
Dirty is good for you