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Cold comfort

Does getting more coughs and colds in my 20s toughen me up for when I'm...

Does getting more coughs and colds in my 20s toughen me up for when I鈥檓 elderly? By the time I鈥檓 80, would the same pathogens I caught in my youth still be around or would they have mutated and not be recognised by my body鈥檚 immune system? Is it better to avoid getting colds and flu now, or embrace the suffering as an investment for the future?

Robyn Vinter, London, UK

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This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淐old comfort鈥

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