In light of the ongoing increase in measles cases across America, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has noted some potential medical benefits that could arise from contracting the measles virus. In an interview, Kennedy addressed the concerning trend of individuals attending ‘measles parties’ to deliberately contract the virus. Although he discouraged attending such events, he did note that the ‘wild infection’ resulting from such exposure could in theory offer some health advantages.
Kennedy reflected on his own experiences as a child, where attending measles and chickenpox parties was common, leading to a natural virus-induced immunity. He mentioned several studies suggesting that contracting the measles virus could potentially offer a boosted immunity against a number of serious health conditions, such as cancer, atopic diseases, and heart disease, in later life. However, he emphasized that these studies were limited and more extensive research is necessary to confirm these potential benefits.
Kennedy stated: “There isn’t enough research in this area. It needs thorough investigation so that we can better understand these relationships…but I would never advise somebody to intentionally get sick. What we require is extensive research in all of these areas, enabling people to make informed health decisions.” Meanwhile, existing studies currently present ambiguous results regarding any potential connections between contracting measles and protection from other illnesses.
Concurrent research also indicated that the measles virus can have a negative long-term impact on a person’s immune system, extending over several years. Recognizing the potentially severe consequences of contracting measles – including hospitalization, brain damage, and even death – medical practitioners continue to recommend vaccination as a preventive measure against the virus.
As of March 18, Texas reported a total of 279 confirmed cases of measles, with 36 individuals requiring hospitalization and tragically leading to the death of a child. Including Texas, a total of 14 states reported 301 confirmed cases of measles as of March 13. On a global scale, measles led to around 107,500 fatalities in 2023.
In the United States, measles-induced deaths are relatively uncommon, largely due to the widespread implementation of the measles vaccine. However, apart from the recent fatality in Texas, another death in New Mexico is being investigated after an adult tested positive for the virus posthumously.
Health experts are in consensus that contracting measles could lead to severe health implications, risks that individual’s would not face if vaccinated. A complete vaccination regimen, consisting of two doses of the measles vaccine, has a proven effectiveness of 97% in preventing the virus.
Despite the ambiguity around the potential health benefits of natural measles infection, some studies have shown interesting findings. A 1998 study cited in one post has found a correlation between individuals who had contracted measles and a reduced risk of cancer in adulthood. Additionally, a 2015 Japanese study seemed to link a history of measles to a decrease in mortality rates due to cardiac diseases.
Other studies identified a similar trend of diminished risk in specific diseases. A study conducted in the UK in 2000 suggested that childhood infections, including measles, could potentially reduce the risk of developing Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer, later in life. However, a direct causality wasn’t established.
A 2013 European research analyzed data from 1,142 subjects born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 1947. The study concluded that childhood infection with measles and influenza was associated with a reduced risk of cancer-related death in adulthood. However, further research would be required to affirm these connections.
Despite these potential benefits, health experts warned that confrontational infections could lead to severe illnesses and even death. The broad consensus among health professionals is that while natural immunity from measles could provide durable protection against future reinfections, intentionally subjecting oneself to the virus carries substantial health risks.
It has been widely observed that measles could predispose individuals to other infections, in part due to its detrimental impact on the immune system. Certain research indicates that measles virus infection leads to temporary immune suppression, resulting in a decline in the diversity and abundance of pre-existing antibodies. Consequently, this leaves individuals susceptible to other potentially fatal diseases.
This phenomenon, referred to as immune amnesia, could persist for up to three years following a measles infection. A 2019 Dutch study evaluated 77 unvaccinated children prior to and following a measles infection. The study discovered that the virus eliminated between 11% and 73% of an individual’s antibodies.
While most people contracting measles experience mild symptoms such as high fever, a running nose, and skin rashes, vulnerable patients can face devastating consequences. Approximately 1 in 20 infected individuals develop pneumonia, while 1 in 1,000 could suffer from encephalitis, a severe brain infection. Hence, compromising on vaccinations for a ‘natural infection’ equates to willingly playing with potentially fatal diseases.
Despite Kennedy citing several studies highlighting potential health benefits of natural measles infection, experts agreed that the research findings remain inconclusive. No study has definitively proven that measles leads to favorable health outcomes in later life. Furthermore, more reliable studies have shown that measles can suppress immunity for up to three years, putting individuals at risk for other infectious diseases. The measles virus can also present serious health risks and could potentially lead to death. Health professionals overwhelmingly advocate for vaccination over natural infection.