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This is all common sense...or should be but come to think of it, probably isn't. You can't build a resistance to something you have never been exposed to. Antibodies attack pathogens but hit and miss randomly. Eventually they usually get it if there are enough of them but it takes some time. The next time, they remember what antibodies were effective (hence resistance). Constant exposure to at least minimal bacteria keeps the antibodies working. Antibiotics work in a similar method except we take or administer them knowing what they are effective against. Allergens also work the same way sort of. You aren't allergic to something you haven't been exposed to. Once exposed, you become allergic if the exposure causes histamines to form and attack your body. It's not uncommon for someone to eat or otherwise be exposed to something with no reaction and then later get exposed to it again and have a reaction. This is why that happens. I think people that keep their animals in perfectly sterile cages do them more harm than good. It's not excuse for filth...but it's why I don't like paper bedding and constant disinfecting. I think reptiles kept on natural substrates with a little bit of dirt and grime going on...have it much better.
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