Dr. Adam Ratner, a leading pediatric infectious disease specialist in New York City, has spent decades confronting the many myths and misunderstandings about measles. One particularly troubling misconception circulating on social media during the recent outbreak is the idea that contracting the virus offers immune benefits, acting as a form of “strength training” for the immune system. Dr. Ratner clarifies that this notion is fundamentally flawed: “The truth is exactly the opposite.”
Measles is a highly contagious virus that manifests with a distinctive rash and cold-like symptoms. For many patients, the consequences can be serious or even fatal. The outbreak that began in west Texas in January has now infected nearly 500 individuals across 19 states, including eight confirmed cases in California. A lesser-known yet insidious effect of even mild measles infections is the destruction of the body's memory cells, which are essential for recognizing and combating previously encountered pathogens.
This phenomenon, termed “immune amnesia,” results in patients becoming vulnerable to recurring infections from diseases they were previously able to resist. Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and former assistant professor of immunology at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes the long-term risks: “If a child contracts measles, you must keep a vigilant eye on their health for the next two to three years.” According to Dr. Mina, even a seemingly mild measles infection can have severe repercussions on the immune system, leading to heightened susceptibility to routine viruses and bacteria.
Dr. Ratner highlights the example of rotavirus, which can cause severe diarrhea in children. A child who has previously battled rotavirus will have developed protective antibodies. However, a subsequent measles infection can wipe out that immunity, leaving the child just as vulnerable as if they had never experienced rotavirus before. This loss of immunity is a direct result of the measles virus's method of attack. The virus spreads through airborne droplets and infiltrates the body through the respiratory system, targeting cells that express a specific protein known as signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM).
Once inside the body, the measles virus hijacks SLAM-expressing cells, including vital memory B and T cells responsible for a robust immune response. Memory B cells quickly produce the right antibodies when familiar pathogens reappear, while Memory T cells recognize and eliminate viruses from previous encounters. Unfortunately, the measles virus destroys these crucial memory cells, while vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, stimulate the immune system without depleting these important defenses.
Before the approval of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1963, measles was a common childhood illness, claiming the lives of approximately 400 children annually in the U.S. Dr. Mina notes that for over a century, the link between measles and increased susceptibility to other infections has been established. His research, including a significant 2015 study, revealed that childhood mortality rates from other infectious diseases spiked in areas experiencing measles outbreaks. Importantly, the introduction of the MMR vaccine led to a significant decrease in both measles cases and childhood deaths from other infections.
Further studies, including one involving blood samples from unvaccinated children in the Netherlands, revealed that measles can obliterate 11% to 73% of preexisting antibodies to various pathogens. Shelly Bolotin, a scientist at Public Health Ontario, explains that unvaccinated children who contract measles face a heightened risk of common childhood illnesses, such as respiratory infections and diarrhea for years to come.
As of late March, 97% of the individuals affected in the ongoing measles outbreak were either unvaccinated or did not disclose their vaccination status. The MMR vaccine contains an attenuated version of the measles virus, designed to elicit an immune response without causing the disease. This means that vaccination does not lead to the widespread destruction of immune memory cells, thereby providing effective and lasting protection against measles without the associated risks of natural infection.
In conclusion, understanding the reality of measles infection and the importance of vaccination is critical in safeguarding public health. The myths surrounding the virus can have dire consequences, making education and awareness essential in combating outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations.
