NEW DATA INDICATES MEASLES DAMAGES IMMUNE SYSTEM MEMORY: 2 NEW CLINICAL STUDIES
by John G. Baresky on 11/01/19
Far reaching effects of Measles
The results of two
clinical studies centered on the lasting effects of the Measles virus reinforce
the importance of immunization and other preventative measures. There is evidence
the Measles virus not only exerts the symptoms of its illness upon those it
infects but advances further into human immune cells and tampers with their “memory”
attributes which can lessen their ability to rearm themselves and defend
against other infections.
The two studies are:
Measles Virus Infection
Diminishes Preexisting Antibodies That Offer Protection From Other Pathogens
Measles more complex than most realize
A pivotal concern with Measles is its impact upon children and their ongoing health as they mature through adolescence and into adulthood. The data indicates children infected by the Measles will possess weakened immune systems following their recovery from the disease. Further study will be required to learn more about how long and how severe post-Measles weakened immune systems persist.
The concept of immune cells losing their ability to fight infection has been referred to as “immune amnesia”. Measles beats up on white blood cell counts but even as a person recovers, their system remains compromised for an undetermined amount of time. The studies indicate immune systems retain their sensitivity and defensive response to Measles to prevent re-occurrence of Measles infection but lose their ability to recall the defensive postures developed over time to ward off other infections they have encountered.
Global emergence of Measles is a critical challenge
Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has estimated the incidence of Measles on a global scale has increased by 280%.
The United States is entering Flu season --yet the challenge of Measles is still underway:
- From 1/1/2019 to 10/1/2019, a total of 1,249 measles cases and 22 measles outbreaks were reported in the United States
- The numbers are critically important as they are the most cases reported in the United States within a single year since 1992 --and the second highest ranking number of reported outbreaks annually since measles was declared "wiped out" in the United States in 2000
- Among the 1,249 measles cases reported in 2019, 1,163 (93%) were associated with the 22 outbreaks, 1,107 (89%) were persons who were not vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status --and 119 (10%) measles patients were hospitalized
- The emergence of a surge has serious implications as there is true potential for cases to multiply quickly; it presents a large scale health threat that had been minimized through decades of medical research, pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise, rigorous immunization schedule planning and vaccine administration
- Assertive and consistent information sharing must be maintained through broadcast and social media, clinicians, healthcare regulatory agencies, payers / health insurers and consumers to erase misinformation about vaccine safety and the pivotal importance of immunizations prior to advance of outbreaks in Flu, Measles or other preventable disease
Clinicians, government and consumers taking action
Moving forward, it is important that parents, pediatricians and other medical professionals take assertive steps to be certain preventative care healthcare regimens follow the complete schedule of recommended immunizations ( unless clinically recommended otherwise ) and this includes the Measles vaccine. Please find below details about the Measles vaccine and other immunization recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
