Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, has been the cause of much fear and resistance throughout recent years due to its potential for causing serious health complications. However, there is an upside to measles that is often unacknowledged. This article will discuss the positive benefits associated with the symptoms of measles.

It is well known that measles can cause severe complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis. But despite this, there are still benefits of having the virus. One of these is that measles can help provide immunity from other potential illnesses in the future. A study from Northwestern Medicine has found that "the presence of childhood measles antibodies was associated with a decreased risk for a variety of autoimmune diseases, including pernicious anemia, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and the occasional psoriasis" (Northwestern Medicine). This means that kids who contract the virus at least have their risk of other autoimmune diseases lessened.

Another potential benefit of measles is that it has been associated with a lower risk for other types of cancer due to the presence of increased IgG antibodies. During measles infection, cells that produce IgG end up increasing in number. IgG is an important component in fighting cancer and other maladies, which can potentially make a person's immune system stronger.

In addition to the above, some studies have shown that measles may be associated with decreasing mortality rate from non-measles related complications such as upper respiratory and diarrheal diseases. A study from the University of Michigan determined that, “in children less than 5 years of age, reported measles cases are associated with decreased mortality rates for upper respiratory and diarrheal diseases." This suggests that measles may actually help protect against other serious conditions.

Finally, measles can be beneficial in terms of boosting cognitive performance. This is due to the fact that measles impairs cell growth during infection, resulting in fewer neurons and synapses that eventually mature, which can ultimately lead to better brain functioning after healing from the infection.

Measles can cause serious complications and is something that should not be taken lightly. However, there are hidden benefits that can come as a result of measles, including providing immunity from autoimmune diseases, assisting in protection from other types of cancer, decreasing mortality from non-measles related complications, and boosting cognitive performance. Taking all of this into consideration, understanding the benefits of measles can help to put the fear of the illness into perspective.