A new study shows that measles wipes out 20 to 50 percent of antibodies against an array of viruses and bacteria, depleting a child’s previous immunity. A measles-ravaged immune system must ‘relearn’ how to protect the body against infections. The study details the mechanism and scope of this measles-induced ‘immune amnesia.’ The findings underscore the importance of measles vaccination, suggesting those infected with measles may benefit from booster shots of all previous childhood vaccines.

How does this work?

Some researchers have suggested that the vaccine gives a general boost to the immune system.

Others have hypothesized that the vaccine’s extended protective effects stem from preventing measles infection itself. According to this theory, the virus can impair the body’s immune memory, causing so-called immune amnesia. By protecting against measles infection, the vaccine prevents the body from losing or «forgetting» its immune memory and preserves its resistance to other infections.

Past research hinted at the effects of immune amnesia, showing that immune suppression following measles infection could last as long as two to three years.

However, many scientists still debate which hypothesis is correct. Among the critical questions are: If immune amnesia is real, how exactly does it happen, and how severe is it?

Story Source:
Materials provided by Harvard Medical School. Original written by Stephanie Dutchen. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.