[Terpfen]

And so, we do our best to avoid developing and utilizing our immune systems, just as viruses and bacteria become more and more drug-resistant.

Absolutely brilliant.

[neverdem]

And so, we do our best to avoid developing and utilizing our immune systems, just as viruses and bacteria become more and more drug-resistant.

It's not 100% effective, even though it's close enough for government work. You're still being exposed to pathogenic microbes, but the exposure isn't large enough to overwhelm immune systems, IMHO.

[verum ago]

While the holy grail of disease prevention would be improvement of the immune system itself, there's something to be said for stopping dangerous pathogens from entering the body in the meantime. The rise of allergies and lower immunities in kids today is due to lack of exposure to nonlethal pathogens, not the nasties that filtering programs like these target.

As for drug resistance in bacteria, that is largely due to improper use of antibiotics. But why are antibiotics being used in the first place? Because some diseases can kill people despite their immune systems.

And why are viruses developing resistance? Because they mutate- not as a reaction to drugs, but because they just do. And just as mutations can raise drug resistance, they can also enable viruses to bypass immune defenses.

If you want to utilize your immune system against some virulent E. coli, sans antibiotics, be my guest.

[Unknowing]

Yes, brilliant. This is good news.

[AntiGuv]

And so, we do our best to avoid developing and utilizing our immune systems, just as viruses and bacteria become more and more drug-resistant.

What a ridiculous comment. If you want to experience what untreated water does to immune systems and to mortality rates then by all means visit Nigeria or Afghanistan and knock yourself out.

[Jeff Chandler]

People in the third world need cleaner water. It is perhaps the biggest health problem in the world.