Brigham research shows exposure to germs early in life protects later against allergies, asthma

Brigham research shows exposure to germs early in life protects later against allergies, asthma
http://www.boston.com/Boston/whitecoatnotes/2012/03/brigham-research-shows-exposure-germs-early-life-protects-later-against-allergies-asthma/QlvnT4WBNJG9Ns2cPbF6EO/index.html

"For years, doctors and researchers have made a seemingly paradoxical observation: as people have grown up in cleaner and more sterile environments, allergies, asthma, and other inflammatory diseases have increased. Now, an international team headed by scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital has found support for this so-called "hygiene hypothesis" and one possible biological explanation that could underlie the intriguing phenomenon."