[Dirt Gallo]

I've often wondered about that theory of Pete's. I have relatives and friends that have lived an almost germaphobe existence, while, I've lived the life of a carefree bumpkin living on the wrong side of the tracks. Road apple fights. Drinking unpasteurized milk from goats and cows. Eating unwashed fruit and veggies. Eating 2 day old pizza. Milk past it's expiration date ... etc, etc. I rarely ever get sick. WHEN I do, it seems to be over in hours rather than days. On the other hand, these other aquintances of mine have eaten only the proper foods handled in the recommended ways, cleaning up after themselves with Clorox wipes ... yada yada yada. Guess who is regularly sick? Guess who REQUIRES medical intervention more often because their illnesses get so bad?
Not I.
Perhaps, a little exposure to a variety of bacteria on a frequent basis, with out going overboard, enables the antibodies to stay elevated enough to keep the immune system active and working properly?
Just some uneducated, off the hip theory...

But, this idea disregards modern engineering and steroids that may very well be creating even more resilient bacterias. Even so, I still don't get sick and, oftentimes, eat like the kid I once was.

Does this jive with any of your childhood experiences or am I a rarity on this?