Pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Jay K. Varma told PEOPLE that none of that was accurate. “Measles has no positive effects on human health. As they did for the daughter of one family, they seriously endanger children. After contracting measles, they put kids at risk for subsequent diseases for a few years. Furthermore, there is no proof that measles affects a person’s eventual chance of developing cancer or anything else.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a degenerative and typically deadly neurological illness that may manifest years after infection, is one of the long-term problems that the virus can cause, according to Dr. Varma.
“Or children with measles can develop a superinfection, meaning bacterial pneumonia on top of measles,” he added, explaining that pneumonia can be contracted from measles. “It’s because they have the original viral infection.” That puts them at risk for developing an additional bacterial illness.
“This is a fairly common tale. Children who have measles may appear to be improving before later developing pneumonia. Pneumonia may result from a bacterial infection in addition to measles. However, vaccination can prevent this entire cycle,” he stated.
The doctor also mentioned how the family had asked why their daughter hadn’t received breathing treatments like her siblings, who appeared to heal more readily after receiving inhaled steroids.
“Neither inhaled beta agonists like albuterol nor inhaled steroids, like budesonide, have been linked to measles,” Dr. Varma stated. “There is just no proof that they take any action.” The other kids “were simply not as sick,” he continued.
He acknowledged that there is a limited role for medically supervised vitamin A use in home medicines, such as cod liver oil or vitamin A, but cautioned against expecting it to solve all problems.
