A few questions about sickness & health PLEASE!?

I have a few questions that I was hoping to get answered. Is it possible to be exposed to a virus and not catch it due to a strong immune system? I haven't had the stomach flu since I was 6, and I'm 19 now, so I figure I'd be getting it at some point again (not that I want it). I suffer from a lot of stress which I know affects your immune system greatly, but I also have a well balanced diet, wash my hands a lot, get good sleep, take vitamins, etc. Does anyone know why I haven't gotten the virus yet even though I'm sure I've been exposed by it?



Any information would be appreciated :)



Answer on A few questions about sickness & health PLEASE!?



Yes.



There are some viruses that can overcome any immune system, no matter how strong. (like rabies, for instance). There are plenty of other viruses and bacteria that are "opportunists" that can't really make you sick unless your immune system "drops the ball" in some way. Most people infected with West Nile virus never notice. Lots of people infected with mono never even notice. Also, everyone's immune system is configured a little differently,making us more resistant to some diseases, and more vulnerable to others.



That's actually one of the reasons we are all a little different, and inbreeding is bad. When a nearly extinct animal gets too inbred, all the individuals have identical immune systems, so a disease that kills one will kill them all. In a more diverse population at least some individuals would be resistant to any new disease.

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