As measles outbreaks rise again across the globe, scientists and health officials are sounding the alarm — not just about the virus itself, but a hidden side effect that could be even more dangerous: immune amnesia. This isn’t a metaphor. Measles has the terrifying ability to literally wipe out your body’s immune memory, undoing years of protection built up from past infections and vaccinations.

Measles was once considered largely defeated in many countries. Canada declared it eliminated in 1998. The U.S. was close behind. But in recent years, due to declining vaccination rates, pandemic-related disruptions, and growing vaccine hesitancy, cases are creeping back up.

Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever — it can cause pneumonia, blindness, brain inflammation, and even death. But its legacy may last far longer than the illness itself.

A growing body of research shows that after recovering from measles, many children and adults lose immune protection they had already built against other diseases like the flu, mumps, or even those they were vaccinated for. This phenomenon is called immune amnesia.

What Is Immune Amnesia?

Your immune system relies on memory to protect you. When you fight off an infection or get a vaccine, special cells (B and T lymphocytes) “remember” those pathogens so your body can quickly recognize and neutralize them in the future. Think of it like a security system keeping a watchlist of past intruders. Measles wrecks that system.

“Immune amnesia basically destroys your immune system,” explains Dr. Stephen J. Elledge, professor of genetics and medicine at Harvard Medical School, who has published extensively on the topic. “It infects and kills the cells that store immune memories — plasma cells, B cells, and T cells. It’s like burning down a library full of immunological knowledge.”

A 2019 study in Science, co-authored by Elledge, found that measles can wipe out up to 73% of a person’s immune memory. In other words, after recovering from measles, your immune system might not remember how to fight the flu, pneumonia, or other pathogens it once had under control. That puts you at risk for reinfections — even with diseases you already beat.

What makes immune amnesia so dangerous is how comprehensive it is. Unlike other viruses like influenza, which might weaken the immune system temporarily, measles erases learned immunity, setting your body back to a baby-like state.

The body will still remember how to fight measles (since it had to win that battle to survive), but all the rest — the defenses built from years of exposure and vaccination — could be gone. It can take two to three years to rebuild that immunity, according to a 2015 study, and that rebuilding relies on exposure or re-vaccination.

So, someone recovering from measles could remain vulnerable to severe infections for years — and not even know it.

How Immune Amnesia Affects The Body?

Every virus needs a doorway into the body’s cells. For measles, that doorway is a protein called SLAM, found on immune memory cells. Once the virus binds to SLAM, it infiltrates and destroys plasma cells — the very cells responsible for pumping out antibodies and maintaining immune memory.

It’s like a heist film where the thief knows the combination to the vault — and once inside, doesn’t just steal your valuables, but burns the blueprints so you can never secure the vault again. That’s what makes measles unique — and uniquely dangerous.

Virtually everyone who gets measles experiences some form of immune amnesia, though the extent varies. Children, especially infants under 12 months who aren’t yet vaccinated, are at highest risk. Their immune systems are still developing, and losing what little protection they’ve built can be devastating.

Older adults are also vulnerable because of natural immune decline with age. And anyone with existing health conditions or suppressed immunity could struggle even more to rebuild what the virus has wiped out.

How Vaccine Does More Than Prevent Measles?

Here’s the twist: the measles vaccine doesn’t just prevent measles — it may help strengthen the immune system overall.

Scientists have observed that vaccinated children have lower mortality rates not just from measles, but from other infections too. One theory is that by avoiding immune amnesia, the vaccine helps preserve the immune memory you’ve already built. Another is the non-specific effect — where live vaccines like the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) train the immune system to better handle unrelated threats.

Either way, the MMR vaccine may be offering a broader shield than once thought.

One dose of the MMR vaccine, typically given at 12–15 months, is estimated to be 85–95% effective. A second dose (often at 4–6 years old) brings that protection close to 100%. And crucially, the vaccine does not cause immune amnesia — only the virus does.

In the 1960s, measles killed an estimated 2.6 million people annually worldwide. Thanks to vaccines, that number dropped drastically. Between 2000 and 2023, over 60 million deaths were prevented but in a world where many haven’t seen the true face of measles, complacency has crept in. Misinformation spreads. Anti-vaccine sentiment grows. And with it, so does the virus.

As of this year, outbreaks have been reported across the UK, Canada, and the U.S., especially in areas with low vaccine coverage. Public health agencies are now urging people to check their vaccination status — not just for themselves, but to protect their communities.

There’s a dangerous myth that measles is just part of growing up — a few days of rash and fever, then you’re done. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Measles is a highly contagious, immune-erasing virus that can have life-threatening complications. It doesn’t just affect you while you’re sick. It leaves a trail of destruction inside your immune system that can take years to recover from — if ever. Vaccines don’t just protect against measles. They preserve everything your immune system has learned — and may even make it stronger.

Viagra, a popular erectile dysfunction medication, may be the world's only existing treatment against Alzheimer's disease, according to over 20 experts.

A panel of 21 experts recently combed through anonymous nominations, clinical evidence and found that out of 80 existing medications that show potential in treating the neurodegenerative disorder.

Out of those, Sildenafil (Viagra) ranked first, with Zostavax (a shingles vaccine) and Riluzole (a drug used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) coming in second and third.

"Each of the priority candidates has evidence supporting relevant underlying mechanisms of action, non-clinical studies, and clinical evidence from epidemiological studies and/or preliminary clinical trials," the researchers wrote in their paper.

"The tolerability of each of these compounds is also suitable for administration to a frailer population of older individuals as part of a well-monitored clinical trial program. We therefore recommend each of these therapeutic approaches as a high priority for clinical trials for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease."

The researchers found that Viagra may support brain health in several ways. Studies suggest it can promote the growth of nerve extensions (neurites) and reduce abnormal tau protein activity as well as improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.

Previous research also shows that the compound can reduce levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ42) in the hippocampus and lower markers of brain inflammation. Additionally, it can also protect neurons from amyloid-beta damage.

Scientists are yet to determine the exact mechanism behind how Viagra can help protect the brain from Alzheimer's-related damage.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.

The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”

FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

"Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."

It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.

Flo Health, a popular women's health app, has developed new digital tools which could shorten the time for endometriosis diagnosis by more than four years and reduce costs by thousands of dollars per patient across the US.

As of now, endometriosis affects an estimated 190 million of reproductive-age women worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. There is no cure for the chronic condition and access to early diagnosis and effective treatment can take years. Currently, the average time for a diagnosis is between four to 12 years.

However, a new npj Digital Medicine study suggests that Flo Health's Symptom Checker, specifically for endometriosis, alongside standard care could reduce the average time to diagnosis from 7 years to approximately 3 years with about 70 percent accuracy.

The research also found that using the checker allowed women to save $5,196 USD over a 40 year timespan, resulting from reduced medical costs and less productivity loss.

Anna Klepchukova, Chief Medical Officer at Flo Health, emphasized that the goal of such technology is to bridge the gap between symptom onset and clinical intervention.

“Endometriosis can deeply disrupt women’s lives, yet many spend years searching for answers within a system that hasn’t always been designed to connect the patterns they experience over time.

"This research explores how digital tools may help women better recognize their symptoms and bring clearer insights into conversations with their health care providers. While these tools aren't diagnostic, they support earlier awareness and more informed decisions, ultimately changing the trajectory of their care and their lives," she said.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain and other symptoms. According to Dr Anuradha Kapur, Principal Director (Obstetrics & Gynecology) & Head of Unit at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, symptoms can vary widely: “Many experience painful periods, pain during intercourse, bloating, and fatigue.

Others may have irregular bleeding, pain during bowel movements, and even asymptomatic cases,” she notes. Endometriosis is complex and can be difficult to diagnose, especially in asymptomatic cases or when symptoms overlap with other conditions like PCOS.

How Endometriosis Affects Life

Endometriosis can disrupt daily routines, impacting work and relationships due to fatigue and persistent pain. Dr Sonam Simpatwar, a reproductive medicine specialist at Central Railway Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, highlights the importance of staying alert to symptoms, especially for those with risk factors like family history or high estrogen levels.

“Symptoms can be subtle, and many women may not experience severe signs until they face issues like infertility,” she noted.

For some, managing endometriosis involves lifestyle changes, pain management, and treatments ranging from hormonal therapies to surgical options. Regular gynaecological check-ups are crucial for catching signs early and avoiding long-term complications.

The PCOS and Endometriosis Connection

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is often confused with endometriosis due to some overlapping symptoms like irregular menstrual periods.

However, as Dr. Kapur explains, “PCOS doesn’t cause endometriosis. They are distinct conditions with different causes—PCOS results from hormonal imbalances, while endometriosis involves abnormal tissue growth outside the uterus.”

Although they don’t directly cause one another, patients with both conditions face unique challenges, including a higher risk of infertility, irregular cycles, and persistent pain.

Managing PCOS can be equally challenging, particularly because it’s closely tied to insulin resistance and weight. Lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, are often recommended, but these suggestions can sometimes become oversimplified, leaving patients feeling body-shamed or unsupported.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health, Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, and Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok have become the new Google, where people can easily diagnose their symptoms. More than men, the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots have emerged as a go-to place for women who try to self-diagnose their unique conditions and save themselves from stigma and being shamed.

A November 2025 study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, showed how AI chatbots are working as ‘pocket doctors’ to offer intimate health support for young women in resource-limited settings or conservative societies.

The study showed that large language models, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, have emerged as digital tools offering anonymity, reducing embarrassment, and increasing accessibility to health advice on menstrual problems and polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as physical fitness and mental health, in countries or areas where women’s health issues are heavily stigmatized.

OpenAI recently said that over 230 million people globally ask health and wellness-related questions on ChatGPT every week.

With the AI chatbots vouching for their ability in diagnosing diseases, often performing on par with or even outperforming human physicians in specific, simulated scenarios, how helpful or risky can AI health diagnoses be, specifically for women? Let’s take a look.

In a recent case, an AIIMS doctor flagged the risks of using ChatGPT for health after a patient suffered bleeding after he self-diagnosed his backpain using ChatGPT and took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

“All ailments are diagnosed by exclusion, and we advise medicines according to the investigation. Do not use AI for self-diagnosis or self-treatment,” said Dr. Uma Kumar, head of the AIIMS's Rheumatology department, while speaking to news agency ANI.

At the same time, there have been several cases that made headlines when AI chatbots could diagnose conditions that, for years, went undetected by human doctors.

Marly Garnreiter, a 27-year-old Parisian strategist, initially shrugged off her night sweats, prickly skin, and weight loss as manifestations of sorrow for her dead father -- until ChatGPT intimated blood cancer in 2024.

Doubtful, she dismissed the AI's recommendation. A biopsy, a year later, concluded that she had Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Ex-President of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, told HealthandMe that unlike search engines of the past that were essentially glorified libraries that would fetch individual files or documents based on our keyword search, AI can search through numerous sources simultaneously and arrive at conclusions that are better customized to the situation.

That being said, an important limitation applies here. The machine algorithm can only deliver what we ask for. Thus, it may depend on the query being fed to the bot.

“Asking the machine, 'I have a headache, what should I do?' is different from saying: 'I am a 28-year-old woman taking birth control pills. I am under stress from my desk job at a bank and haven’t slept well for five days. I drink too much coffee, my meal timings are irregular, and I’m having a headache. What should I do?' The answer in both of these situations will be different. Therefore, people seeking AI help to evaluate their symptoms must make an attempt to give a more complete picture and use the correct prompts,” Dr. Jayadevan said.

How AI Can Be Risky For Women's Health

While it may be unfair to ask anyone not to use an AI chatbot for health questions, it is important to understand the limitations.

The major limitations include:

• Algorithmic bias: The AI models are largely trained on datasets that insufficiently represent women. Even the medical research has traditionally used the male body as a model system, thus AI trained on this data may fail to recognize how conditions like heart disease manifest differently in women, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.

“The current AI algorithms are trained on data that predominantly applies to males, and the information we retrieve could be biased in that direction. For instance, the symptoms of ischemic heart disease for men and women are different, as are the causes of abdominal pain,” Dr. Jayadevan said.

• False positives: While AI can sometimes decode health issues that went undetected for years, there have also been instances where AI misinterpreted completely normal, benign, or non-target images as suspicious, leading to unnecessary follow-up tests and patient anxiety.

Dr. Jayadevan called it "AI hallucinations,” which involves the equivalent of lying or making false information in response to a query.

In 2025, David Alvaro, Editor in Chief, wrote in his Pharma's Almanac that AI tools used in precision medicine for dosing recommendations were found to produce less accurate results for women due to their reliance on pharmacokinetic data primarily derived from male participants.

A 2022 study by University College London revealed that AI models designed to predict liver disease from blood tests were twice as likely to miss the disease in women compared to men.

The AI models missed 44 percent of liver disease cases in women, compared to 23 percent in men, according to the study published in BMJ Health & Care Informatics.

Early in January, Google announced it would remove some of its AI health summaries after a Guardian-led investigation found people were being put at risk of harm by false and misleading information.

The company has said its AI Overviews, which use generative AI to provide snapshots of essential information about a topic or question, are “helpful” and “reliable”.

• Data privacy concerns: Gauging what the algorithm will do with the sensitive health information and what impact it will have on future insurance transactions or even employment may be uncertain.

“AI could be a powerful tool in healthcare, from diagnosis to women's health, by helping to find problems earlier and giving patients more personalized care. However, AI adoption must stay focused on people, making sure that technology improves clinical care instead of trying to replace it,” Dr. Sabine Kapasi, public health expert and UN advisor, told HealthandMe.

Dr. Kapasi added that while AI can help fill in significant gaps in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, “addressing the problems with fragmentation and making sure everybody enjoys equal access.”

AI: A Helpful Friend, Not Your Doctor

Consulting a qualified doctor for symptoms is always the better option than blindly trusting AI diagnoses.

Yet, AI-based health diagnostics have revolutionized healthcare significantly for women by improving early detection of diseases that are historically under-researched, underdiagnosed, or overlooked.

In a widely reported case, a woman used Grok to analyze her daughter's wrist X-rays after an urgent care facility failed to identify a fracture. Grok successfully identified a distal radial head fracture that was subsequently confirmed by a specialist, helping the child avoid surgery.

More than traditional models that often lack gender-specific data, AI has the potential to analyze vast, diverse datasets that can help identify unique patterns in female physiology.

Pinky Promise, a pioneering AI-powered women's digital clinic in India, is revolutionizing gynecological care via chat-first consultations on a mobile app without shame or judgment. It has helped over 350,000 women nationwide.

Similarly, Ema: Your AI Best Friend is another AI app designed to navigate "femalehood," offering empathy and early detection of cycle issues, acting as a 3 a.m. support rather than a diagnostic doctor.

How AI Can Be Leveraged For Women's Health

AI can be used to decode long-standing research gaps, boost diagnostic accuracy, and enable personalized care for women across their lifespan. Key applications include:

Cancer Detection, where AI-assisted mammography can improve breast cancer detection. Some studies have shown a 20 percent increase in cancer detection without increasing false positives.

AI can also help analyze Pap smear images to detect cervical cancer.

In the case of endometriosis, a hard-to-diagnose condition specific to women, AI can help shorten the long diagnosis time for endometriosis (currently 7-10 years).

AI also helps optimize IVF procedures by analyzing (embryo) images and hormone levels.

Mental Health is another area where AI chatbots and algorithms have shown prowess, especially in the early detection of postpartum depression, which affects 15 percent of women.

“AI is neither a miracle nor a menace; it is a mirror of how wisely we choose to use it. I have always believed we must never start with health screening, but with ‘Health Risk Assessment’,” Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, chairman- Health Parliament, creator of SHE App & former advisor to the Union Health Minister, told HealthandMe.

“With AI, risk assessment becomes predictive, personalized, and action-oriented, accelerating the shift toward 'predictive prevention' -- pre-emptive care. For women, this could be a game changer: enabling earlier interventions, smarter decisions, and better outcomes. But it must be deployed at the right level, with digitally literate populations and strong clinical oversight,” he added.