Immune Amnesia From Measles Can Last For 5 Years

Immune Amnesia From Measles Can Last For 5 Years

For a patient with a measles infection, the health effects can last well beyond the acute illness. The measles virus destroys memory B and T cells that help the immune system recognize previously encountered pathogens, producing “immune amnesia,” according to an analysis in CIDRAP. As a result, patients can lose protection acquired through prior infections or vaccination and become susceptible again to bacterial and viral illnesses. Studies suggest measles survivors may lose 11%–73% of their …

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Americans See the Benefit of MMR Vaccines, Believe Their Risk of Measles is Low

Americans See the Benefit of MMR Vaccines, Believe Their Risk of Measles is Low

Most Americans (83%) believe the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination has benefits that outweigh the possible risks, according to a survey from the University of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, 83% of the 1,653 adults surveyed also say they are not worried that they or someone in their family will contract measles over the next 3 months, which makes sense considering the current rates of MMR vaccination and its high (97%) effectiveness. When asked about the current …

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