Think again about keeping little ones so squeaky clean
Research suggests that everyday germs may prevent diseases in adulthood
EVANSTON, Ill. — A new Northwestern University study suggests that American parents should ease up on antibacterial soap and perhaps allow their little ones a romp or two in the mud — or at least a much better acquaintance with everyday germs.
The study is the first to look at how microbial exposures early in life affect inflammatory processes related to diseases associated with aging in adulthood.
Most provocatively, the Northwestern study suggests that exposure …

According the recent numbers released by the CDC, about 47 million people had the swine (H1N1) flu and about 9,820 people died from it.  My math suggests that the chance of dying from this terrible disease stands at about 1 in 4786, or 0.002% chance of dying if you caught the flu.  Keep in mind that they stopped testing for the H1N1 in the summer, so these stats are unreliable guesses, but based on the official numbers I would call this a mild disease.  So much for the panic.  Also …