New York Times: Measles Makes Your Immune System’s Memory Forget Defenses Against Other Illnesses

Two new studies have shown that other than being a deadly disease itself, the measles virus has the power to inflict damage on the victim’s immune system even after it has been cured. This happens because the virus kills cells that make antibodies, which are essential for the immune system to function properly. This effect is called immune amnesia. People catch illnesses such as the flu or a stomach bug, and after they are cured, the immune system “memorizes” the illness and can fight off the diseases if they try to attack again. The measles virus erases this memory and leaves people susceptible to all kinds of illnesses. Children need to be vaccinated because the vaccine protects them from so much more than just measles. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children are putting their child in the risk of not only measles but also an array of potentially deadly diseases, such as pneumonia. For the full article, click here.