X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Scientists find that exposing your children to germs can actually make them healthier

2 min read
Scientists find that exposing your children to germs can actually make them healthier

Who would've known that exposing your child to germs can make them more resistant to disease in the long run?

Professor Jack Gilbert, co-author of “Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System,” shares that parents shouldn’t be too worried about exposing their kids to germs since it can strengthen their immune system.  

“Most parents think all germs are bad, that is not true. Most will just stimulate your immune system and make you stronger,” he shares.

Germs can strengthen immune system of a child

According to Prof. Gilbert, parents can sometimes be too overprotective, even to the point of over-sanitizing their child’s environment.

He emphasizes that by being exposed to germs and bacteria, children’s immune systems develop to be healthier and stronger compared to children who were raised in a very sterile environment, with very little germs. Germs help strengthen your child’s immune system by ‘teaching’ their immune system how to combat certain germs. That way, their body knows how to deal with infection.

“Thanks to vaccination and general sanitation our homes are extremely safe,” he adds.

Let your kids play outside!

These days, some parents get too paranoid, especially with the things that they read online. But the truth is that with all of the advancements in health and the medical sciences that we have these days, there’s no need to worry about your child getting sick or getting hurt if they play outside.

The most important thing would be to let your child explore their surroundings, so that they can figure things out by themselves, and learn more about the world as they grow older.

So the next time you see your child playing outside in the mud, just let them be. It’s good for their immune system!

Source: independent.co.uk

READ: Gross! Eating boogers might boost your kid’s immune system

Partner Stories
What’s your cough treatment for that #PigilHiningaMoment?
What’s your cough treatment for that #PigilHiningaMoment?
Alagang Unilab: Healthier Ph Opens Dialogue on Steam Inhalation as a Health Treatment
Alagang Unilab: Healthier Ph Opens Dialogue on Steam Inhalation as a Health Treatment
Gut Health: How to keep your child’s digestive tract healthy with Erceflora Kiddie
Gut Health: How to keep your child’s digestive tract healthy with Erceflora Kiddie
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Scientists find that exposing your children to germs can actually make them healthier
Share:
  • Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?

    Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?

  • PH heat index at dangerous level: Tips to protect your child from heatstroke

    PH heat index at dangerous level: Tips to protect your child from heatstroke

  • UP Scientists Layuning Paghusayin ang Breast Cancer Treatment Mula sa Compound na Natagpuan sa Dagat

    UP Scientists Layuning Paghusayin ang Breast Cancer Treatment Mula sa Compound na Natagpuan sa Dagat

  • Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?

    Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?

  • PH heat index at dangerous level: Tips to protect your child from heatstroke

    PH heat index at dangerous level: Tips to protect your child from heatstroke

  • UP Scientists Layuning Paghusayin ang Breast Cancer Treatment Mula sa Compound na Natagpuan sa Dagat

    UP Scientists Layuning Paghusayin ang Breast Cancer Treatment Mula sa Compound na Natagpuan sa Dagat

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it