Measles Weakens the Immune System for Years

The outbreak of measles that originated at Disneyland earlier this year drew lots of attention to gaps in vaccination for the disease. More than 100 people were infected before the outbreak was brought under control in April. However, the effects of measles may be with those individuals for quite some time. A new study finds that the measles virus erases the immune system's memory, leaving patients vulnerable to other infectious diseases for up to three years afterward. And researchers