Do you get different bugs in different areas of the country?

[Scareofgettingthiswrong]

We have just moved to a different area. My daughter (7) started at a new school just over three weeks ago, and is already on her second day off with illness. I am feeling really bad, as I feel like school think I’m being a soft touch!

The first day off was a sickness bug (thankfully she was sick on Thursday night, so was well by Monday) and today she has a temperature and a rash.

Will she be picking up new bugs because she is with a different cohort of kids? I am really panicking!

Different kids. Different bugs . A teacher friends dreads January when all the kids March back in the door coughing up whatever bug from seeing far flung relatives. It seems
to floor most of the school over the next month.

Microbiologist here…and yes, different areas will have different environments so therefore different microorganisms. Very example a rural farming area will have different levels and species of microorganisms than a city. Areas with lakes etc may have more stagnant water will have a more of a variety of microorganisms. Temperature and humidity will also hugely contribute.

Thank you so much!! We have moved from a rural farming community to the middle of one of the largest cities in the UK.

I have been so worried that school will think that I am lying, you have really put my mind at rest, thank you xx

No need to panic. They just need to settle in and get used to it. They will be fine

This is really interesting, I've always wondered about this!

it actually varies from person to person too, we all have our own natural microbiome.

I've always kind of thought this was true but it's fascinating to have it confirmed!

Yeah it varies person to person really as it depends on how and where you live. Many people carry staphylococcus on them all the time and it causes them no harm. One person might pick it up one day and be ill from it the next.

Yes definitely- this is why "fresher's flu" is a thing