Measles is not just a rash and fever; it’s a virus with serious long-term health risks. A growing outbreak in West Texas has left 29 people, mostly children, hospitalized, and has already caused two deaths, including that of a 6-year-old child. There are at least 223 confirmed cases, but experts suspect many more may have been infected since January.
While health officials work to control the spread, experts are concerned about long-term complications of the virus, which can cause more than just the usual symptoms. Measles can lead to pneumonia in severe cases, and about 1 in 1,000 people may develop encephalitis, which is brain swelling. The virus is also linked to immune damage, a condition known as “immune amnesia.”
What is Immune Amnesia?
Our immune system typically remembers viruses and bacteria, allowing the body to respond more quickly if it encounters the same pathogen again. Measles attacks and destroys cells that store these immune memories, including plasma and memory cells. As a result, people may become more vulnerable to infections they’ve fought off before.
Dr. Michael Mina, a vaccine expert, explains that measles can wipe out 11% to 73% of a person’s antibody stockpile. For example, someone with 100 antibodies to chickenpox before contracting measles might only have 50 afterward. This leaves them at risk of more infections.
While the damage is inevitable, the extent of its impact varies. Some people may face severe consequences, while others might only experience mild effects.
The Impact of Measles Before Vaccination
Before widespread vaccinations, measles was a major cause of childhood death due to other diseases like pneumonia and meningitis. Research by Dr. Mina suggests that measles may have been responsible for up to half of all childhood infectious disease deaths. The virus can suppress the immune system for two to three years, leaving children vulnerable to other infections.
How Measles Weakens Immunity
Measles destroys long-lived plasma cells, which are essential to our immune defenses. These cells are like factories that produce antibodies to protect the body. The virus also targets memory cells, which store information about pathogens the body has encountered. Once these cells are destroyed, the immune system forgets how to fight off previous infections, such as the flu or common cold, leaving the body vulnerable.
Can the Immune System Recover?
While the immune system can eventually recover after a measles infection, it takes time and repeated exposure to other viruses and bacteria. In the meantime, people may be more susceptible to other infections.
Dr. John Wherry compares this process to the frequent sickness babies experience as they build their immunity. After measles, the body has to relearn how to defend itself, which can make individuals more prone to infections.
Brain Inflammation and Other Severe Complications
Measles can also cause a deadly complication known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). This condition can develop years after the infection and leads to severe brain damage, cognitive decline, coma, and often death. Although SSPE was once considered rare, recent studies show that unvaccinated children are at higher risk.
The disease typically begins with subtle behavioral changes and worsens over time, leading to seizures, abnormal movements, and damage to the brain’s vital functions. Unfortunately, there is no cure for SSPE, and it is almost always fatal. Although the disease is rare, experts believe the number of cases may rise as measles outbreaks become more common.
As measles cases continue to rise in parts of the U.S., public health experts are urging vaccination as the best defense against these long-term complications. The measles vaccine is highly effective, with two doses offering 97% protection against the virus.
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