They say that if you were born before 1957, you're probably safe from contracting measles. So I wasn't worrying much about the outbreak of measles around the country.
Measles may be a childhood disease but it's not to be taken lightly.
There hasn't been any outbreaks in Hawaii so it seemed safe.
Then again, we do travel to Illinois and Maryland to visit our friends, children and grandchildren.
And what's on the list? Yup! Illinois and Maryland!
Art called his sister to ask if she remembered him getting measles. She said she was pretty sure he had German measles (rubella) but didn't think he'd gotten rubeola (measles). I'd totally forgotten there were two types of measles.
I asked mom the same question and she said I'd gotten measles. Well... I wasn't so sure about her memory so I asked my doctor when we went to see her this month if it was a concern. Our doctor said Art and I should be tested.
We went straight to the lab and had our blood drawn.
Sure enough. Both Art's sister and my mother were correct. I am immune to measles. Art did have German measles but not the regular measles. He was told to get the measles vaccination before we decide to travel again.
Well, I'm sure it's true that most people are safe from measles if they were born before 1957, but I guess it's not 100% a sure thing.
POSTSCRIPT:
Look what was in the news recently!
Looks like we need to get Art immunized quickly.
Measles may be a childhood disease but it's not to be taken lightly.
There hasn't been any outbreaks in Hawaii so it seemed safe.
Then again, we do travel to Illinois and Maryland to visit our friends, children and grandchildren.
And what's on the list? Yup! Illinois and Maryland!
Art called his sister to ask if she remembered him getting measles. She said she was pretty sure he had German measles (rubella) but didn't think he'd gotten rubeola (measles). I'd totally forgotten there were two types of measles.
I asked mom the same question and she said I'd gotten measles. Well... I wasn't so sure about her memory so I asked my doctor when we went to see her this month if it was a concern. Our doctor said Art and I should be tested.
We went straight to the lab and had our blood drawn.
Sure enough. Both Art's sister and my mother were correct. I am immune to measles. Art did have German measles but not the regular measles. He was told to get the measles vaccination before we decide to travel again.
Well, I'm sure it's true that most people are safe from measles if they were born before 1957, but I guess it's not 100% a sure thing.
POSTSCRIPT:
Look what was in the news recently!
Looks like we need to get Art immunized quickly.
I had both types as a child. In those days we were exposed to them if at all possible. Now I realize how dangerous that could be.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a baby my siblings had the measles but my mother was never sure if I had gotten them. When daughter Emily was born in 1981 and had the MMR shot I caught the measles from her! Yes it can happen according to the pediatrician. When I was clear I then had the MMR to inoculate me against German measles since catching that while pregnant can cause birth defects and I was planning to have more children.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has passed I can't ask her if I ever had measles. But since then I have had an MMR shot due to past pregnancies.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was born in 1959 & he can't remember if he had the measles, mumps or the chicken pox, he remembers having something but there isn't anyone around he can ask now.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1970 so I'm going to assume I've had the required MMR shots and am safe.
We have an outbreak of measles here at present in Victoria (other states as well) but especially here in Melbourne. Our influenza season started early with cases of it during the summer and now as winter approaches its getting worse. Even tho' there are penalties (for non vaccination of children) so many people just won't do - it definitely is a problem.
ReplyDeleteI've had my 'flu shot for this year and know I had both Rubella and ordinary measles as a child. My children (all in their 50s now) had measles but it don't remember them contracting Rubella- they did have MMR shots at school so every little bit helps!
We're in WA and all our kids and grandkids have been vaccinated. But we live in an area where there are a number of churches that don't believe in vaccines. It's a worry. I got the MMR when I was an adult still on birth control but planning on having kids, that was in '69. I'd had measles once but no idea what kind.
ReplyDeleteYes to both. I've recently had shingles which, as I understand it, is a sign than one has had measles. Not that I needed confirmation, but I pass it along. It's a good idea to get the shingles shot btw.
ReplyDeleteChickenpox is the same virus as shingles so if you have had chickenpox as a kid that virus is in your body and your can get shingles as an adult. The old shingle shot may lessen symptoms but it is still possible to get shingles. There is a new vaccine out now that is supposed to be more effective.
DeleteSomething we thought was wiped out rears its ugly head. Thanks anti- vaxers.
ReplyDeleteYes, right away. Yes too, I had both kinds. G had one kind but we are both above 1956. It['s a horrible and dangerous disease.
ReplyDeleteI know I had measles once and not sure which kind.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm vaccinated against them. Never missed a shot. Luckily I grew up before the late Gen X parents thought vaccines were bad.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1942 and had measles as a kid, but I don't know which kind. I'm not worried about contracting measles, but shingles in another thing altogether. I had the first vaccination but want to get the two-shot version that is supposed to be so much better. I see my doctor on Tuesday, so I'll ask her if she can tell me the best place to get it from. :-)
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1944, but i don't know if I had the measles. I guess I should request a test. Some areas of Washington have been hard hit, but not here yet.
ReplyDeleteExcellent follow-through to you both!
ReplyDeleteI've had both types of measles, and chickenpox. I didn't know if I'd had mumps, but had a jillon ear-aches. Had my blood drawn at a hospital I worked at, and the resultant titer labwork showed that I did have mumps around all of those ear aches. I wanted to know before my kid got his mumps shots, so I wouldn't catch it that way.
Everyone, please get the new Shingrix 2-shot vaccine against shingles. It is around 90% effective and the previous one is only around 60% effective. The two shots are given about 3-4 months apart. The manufacturer hasn't kept up with the demand, so finding BOTH shots is tricky. I got mine at a local grocery's pharmacy! Even if you got the previous shot, or had a case of shingles, you should still get the new Shingrix shots. Linda in Kansas
Would you believe we just took mom in to get her second Shingrix shot? She was scheduled to have it after we returned from our cruise, but she got sick and the nurse said it would be a good idea to wait since the shot can sometimes give you a cold type symptom. Art and I both had the Shingrix shots and although we experienced lethargy the first couple of days after the 1st shot, we were perfectly fine for the 2nd.
DeleteArt was warned that the MMR was a live virus vaccine. However, since mom and I both have already had Mumps, German Measles and Measles we were OK and weren't affected.
I know I had German measles when I was in high school; dunno about regular measles. Born before 1957 so I figure I'm okay? I also had the shingles shot.
ReplyDeleteI was just talking about this topic with some friends earlier today. I had chicken pox and measles, but don't remember if I had German measles.
ReplyDeleteIt's important, especially as you are amazing travelers, to keep up-to-date. Then, again, a lot of people around here travel. Measles is awful, as you just have to breathe the virus in and you get it. We've had a few incidents in Canada, as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great information, Kay. This is really good to know. I had measles as a kid and also had the required shots at the time. I don't remember having chicken pox. It was around so maybe I did have it. Anyway, thanks again for the advice.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful week!