Is social distancing weakening my immune system?

Our immune systems require constant stimulation by exposures to germs, like bacteria and viruses to keep them strong, right?

Sort of. Our immune systems learn from germs, like viruses and bacteria. And our immune systems also have memory. They remember most of the germs they’ve seen before.

Bacteria and viruses can enter our bodies in many different ways, from contact with someone who has an infection, to petting the dog, eating yogurt, or digging in the garden. No matter how a germ gets in, the immune system gives it a look. If the immune system thinks that a germ is a potential problem, it tries to destroy that germ right away. Most of the time your immune system handles the infection, and you don’t notice a thing.

Your immune system doesn’t stop there. It creates memory cells which will recognize the germ if it ever dares to return. These memory cells help the immune system launch a faster and more powerful response to future infections. And they build up over your whole lifetime. So, even if social distancing reduces your daily exposures to germs, your immune system still stands ready to defend you.

Besides, most of our exposure to germs comes from our environment, not from other people. We snuggle with our pets, eat food, mow the lawn, and clean our houses. All of these things expose us to germs, keep our immune systems in top form, and they can be done safely while we keep our distance from one another. 

Last update: May 12, 2020

Science Review: GSN, ERS, JAB