Can measles lead to long-term health complications?

You may think of measles as a common childhood disease that comes and goes with a rash and fever.

However, recent studies show that measles can have severe long-term consequences, impacting your immune system, lungs, brain, and overall health for years after infection.

Measles weakens your immune system for years

A critical long-term effect of measles is what scientists call immune amnesia. When you contract the measles virus, it attacks your immune system’s memory cells - cells that recognize and fight infections you've encountered before.