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