This is how it kills measles

The phenomenon is known as immune amnesia and can leave people vulnerable from other infections from several weeks to months. Research shows that they can accept two to three years After infection of measles for protective immunity for full return.

“The measles virus is highly immunosuppressive, which means that it will interfere with the normal function of many white cells in the body that are fighting against other infections,” says Fenelli.

One of these infections is bacterial pneumonia, which causes inflammation and accumulation of fluids in the lungs. About one in five people who become measles in the United States are hospitalized and one in 20 will develop pneumonia. In some cases, patients may need additional oxygen or intubation and fan maintenance.

In a February 28 The briefing pressRon Cook, Chief Health Officer at the Center for Health Sciences at the University of Texas at Lubbock, describes hospitalized patients as severe symptoms, many of which also experience dehydration and low oxygen levels due to inflammation in the lungs.

“Pneumonia is the most common cause of measles death in young children,” says Edith Bracho-Sanchez, an assistant in pediatrics at the College of Doctors and Surgeons at the University of Colombia.

Murbili can cause serious complications in those without immunity, especially in children under 5 years of age.Photo: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Measles can also cause a severe complication called encephalitis, or brain swelling, which can be fatal. Encephalitis can occur during infection if the virus travels to the brain or after infection, if the brain is inflamed due to an overactive immune response. About one child every 1000 receiving measles will develop encephalitis. The condition can cause convulsions and in rare cases deafness or intellectual damage.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is the best way to protect against these complications. One dose of the vaccine is 93 percent effective against measles and two doses are 97 percent effective. The first dose is recommended for children aged 12 to 15 months, and the second dose is usually given between the ages of 4 and 6 years.

There are no antiviral treatments available for measles and while Vitamin A is often given to people with infection, it does not prevent measles or kills the virus. “The infection itself can exhaust the levels of vitamin A in the body,” says Braho-Sanchez. Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend two doses of vitamin A in children who are hospitalized with measles as vitamin A deficiency can increase the risk of serious complications. However, large doses of vitamin A can be toxic.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., suggested that treatment with cod liver oil containing vitamin A shows “very, very good results” in patients with measles. But health experts warn that fever liver oil supplements can contain more vitamin A than the recommended daily amount and can also make children sick if they take too much.

Braho-Sanchez says that the best way to have adequate levels of Vitamin A is to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. According to her, vaccination remains the best way to protect measles.

Updated 3-11-2025 19:37 GMT: The wrong identification of a quote from Glen Funelli has been fixed.