How Childhood Infections May Benefit Long-Term Health
In this episode of Kid’s Corner, pediatrician and IMA Senior Fellow Dr. Liz Mumper explores the surprising potential health benefits associated with certain childhood illnesses, and discusses how acute infections—especially those accompanied by mild to moderate fever, such as measles—may play a protective role in adult health.
Dr. Mumper emphasizes the distinction between acute and chronic infections, noting that while chronic infections can disrupt immune regulation, acute infections might actually strengthen long-term immunity. She also highlights a large Japanese study showing that adults who experienced acute infections in childhood had a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Watch now.
References
Alexander FE, Jarrett RF, Lawrence D, Armstrong AA, Freeland J, Gokhale DA, Kane E, Taylor GM, Wright DH, Cartwright RA. Risk factors for Hodgkin’s disease by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status: prior infection by EBV and other agents. Br J Cancer. 2000 Mar;82(5):1117-21.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2374437/
Glaser SL, Keegan TH, Clarke CA, Trinh M, Dorfman RF, Mann RB, DiGiuseppe JA, Ambinder RF. Exposure to childhood infections and risk of Epstein-Barr virus—defined Hodgkin’s lymphoma in women. Int J Cancer. 2005 Jul 1;115(4):599-605.
