How does measles infection affect immune memory and the need for booster shots?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on how measles infection impacts immune memory and the implications for the necessity of booster shots. It explores the biological mechanisms of immunity, the effects of viral mutations, and the specific consequences of measles on immune responses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that not all viral mutations lead to a loss of immunity, as the immune system primarily recognizes external components of the virus.
  • One participant explains that changes to the virus's outer structure can evade immune detection, akin to a joke about recognition.
  • It is noted that for certain viruses, immunity may never fully develop, and for others, it may diminish over time regardless of mutations.
  • Another participant states that measles can significantly reduce immune memory, potentially affecting immunity to various diseases and necessitating booster shots.
  • There is mention of the measles virus targeting antibody-producing cells and memory cells, which can suppress immune responses for an extended period.
  • Some participants emphasize that the measles vaccine is weakened and does not cause the same immune suppression as the actual virus.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the relationship between viral mutations and immunity, as well as the specific effects of measles on immune memory. The discussion remains unresolved with differing perspectives on these topics.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about immunity duration and the specific mechanisms by which measles affects immune memory. The references to external sources suggest a reliance on varying interpretations of the data.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying immunology, virology, or public health, particularly regarding vaccine efficacy and immune response dynamics.

JonnyG
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TL;DR
Not losing immunity when virus mutates
I once read that just because a virus mutates doesn't mean you lose immunity to it. I do not know much biology, but could one of you please explain how that is possible?
 
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Short answer - virus is made of different building blocks - the ones on the outside of the virus count for immunity. Our immune system cannot "see" into the inside of the virus and look at internal building blocks.
So the internal ones can change (mutate) and our immune system will still see it as a bad guy.

Change the outside building and it fakes out the immune system. So that kind of mutation does not trigger an immune response. It is like the joke:
What did Tarzan say when the elephants came by?
Here come the elephants.
What did Tarzan say when the elephants came by wearing sunglasses?
Nothing. He did not recognize them.
It always helps us to help you if you can tell us pretty exactly where you got something from. This comment has been all over the internet, so let's let it slide.

Next time, help us out, okay?
 
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Thank you!
 
Me Tarzan. You, um, not sure. Nice sunglasses though... :cool:
 
Also, for some viruses we never develop immunity, and for others, immunity wanes over time despite no significant mutations. How long immunity lasts (assuming the virus doesn't change) varies a lot.
 
A measles infection can "wipe out immune memory" of 20% to 50% of previous infections, effectively removing immunity for an array of diseases, including immunizations. I was told that this was one of the reasons for children getting booster shots.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191031204630.htm
 
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jim mcnamara said:
A measles infection can "wipe out immune memory" of 20% to 50% of previous infections, effectively removing immunity for an array of diseases, including immunizations. I was told that this was one of the reasons for children getting booster shots.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191031204630.htm
Yes, apparently the virus targets the cells responsible for antibody production and also the memory cells that are retained following recovery from an illness, this can in some people suppress the immune response for up to two years. The vaccine virus is severely weakened and doesn't seem capable of causing this sort of damage.
 

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