How measles leaves a body vulnerable to infections

Measles affects two key lines of immune response within the body

Naive cells Defend the body against new infections

Memory cells Protect against infections, such as mumps, which the body has had before

After measles strikes, the body is left vulnerable long after the initial illness has passed

The diversity of the naive cells is reduced by the measles virus

Measles wipes out a proportion of the memory cells – so might be less effective against mumps

Measles affects two key lines of immune response within the body

After measles strikes, the body is left vulnerable long after the initial illness has passed

Naive cells Defend the body against new infections

Memory cells Protect against infections, such as mumps, which the body has had before

The diversity of the naive cells is reduced by the measles virus

Measles wipes out a proportion of the memory cells – so might be less effective against mumps