<<I grew up in an era -- or maybe it was just my family, me being the youngest of six -- where we didn't worry so much about it. Sure, we got sick. But we also got dirty and didn't stress over it. Growing up, we were all exposed to countless germs -- playing with our friends -- that probably should have killed us ten times over! But they didn't. My theory is that this exposure strengthened our immune systems, so we rarely got sick and when we did it wasn't so bad.>>
I agree with jbrowna and we very rarely get sick, mild head cold that is about it. Yes, we wash our hands, etc. But do not use antibacterial anything. Where as my sister, using antibacterial everything and her kids are always sick. My DS 11 had strep throat once, that is the only day of school he has missed due to illness.
My wacky theory - we keep our heat very low in the winter. Germs would freeze to death in my house.