Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Measles

They're worried that there's a Measles outbreak in Milwaukee and surrounding counties. Several cases have been reported so far. I remember having Measles as a kid. I just thought it was something kids got, part of growing up. Most kids nowadays get shots so they don't have to get them, but our parents didn't believe in getting us immunized. There were some kind of religious reasons that I don't really understand, but I never thought to question it. When I had my own kids, we went ahead and got all their shots. When we were reading the possible side effects they have to tell you about when your kids get shots, the nurse there at the time started telling me how much worse actually getting Measles was and that people can die from it. I didn't realize. I thought it was just a childhood disease.

Anyway, the whole Measles thing reminds me of college. It was a private church college, and most of the students hadn't been immunized. When people started coming down with Measles, the entire campus was put under quarantine. I had already had the Measles, but, of course, I couldn't prove it. It wasn't like I had a doctor's note or anything. Even today they announced on the news that if you think you or your child has Measles, do not just go to the doctor, because they do not want to spread the disease. Well, yeah - so how exactly do you prove later that you had it?

Since I couldn't, I got my first shot ever while in college - a Measles shot.

1 comment:

  1. When I was pregnant with my youngest, the doctor's told me I was no longer immune, and needed a new shot. That was almost 7 years ago, and I still haven't gotten it. I'm a chicken, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

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