Good day everyone. I truly believe that in our mothers' time so many things were still unknown, and couldn't be helped anyway.
E.g. My mother went through WWII and was in WRAF's in England, landing planes after radar became available. Thus one would suppose that proper nutrition for that branch wasn't a problem. She married an American GI and moved to the states, but before that, there was terrible pollution in London. She was always teensy (to say the least). Her diet was severely lacking in many areas, plus she had severe lung problems that later involved in removing a lung. So yes, I would think a virus could have an impact.
My father has been dead for 64 years, my mother for over 20. I think we all wish we could ask the questions that are so important to us now, but we didn't have that emotional range to know any better. For those of you who still have parents, please get as much info as possible....it helps.
Can the parental overall health make any difference. Of course, just look at the children of alcoholics (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and drug addictions. We still don't all of the many problems that could be caused or avoided, but we at least know that paternal health matters.
@Booble.....I hope you don't get or haven't had shingles. There is a two part 95% effective vaccine that you can obtain and is lifelong. If nothing else, it cuts down on any after-effects that can and do remain for a lot of us. If you're over 50, you're eligible. Yours, Lenora.