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ShazzieB

(22,453 posts)
22. I have very similar memories.
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 03:10 PM
17 hrs ago

I caught chickenpox in 1st grade, when it was going around at my school. Gave it to my sister who was a toddler at the time. Months later, I came down with measles (fortunately a mild case). I can't remember if I gave that to little sis, but I doubt it. At least I don't recall her being sick at the time, and I remember us both having chickenpox quite clearly.

I can't remember when my sister had rubella (we called it German measles back then), but I had it during my freshman year of high school during what I later learned was the last major outbreak of that disease in the U.S. prior to the vaccine coming out. Rubella is typically a mild disease, but if a pregnant woman catches it early in pregnancy, it is likely to cause miscarriage or very severe birth defects.

Neither of us ever had mumps (the 2d M In the MMR vaccine), and I've found myself wondering if I need to get that vaccine now that people are being advised by the federal freaking government to skip vaccinating their kids. Fortunately, I live in a blue state where people are less prone to being antiscience and the state has laws in place requiring vaccinations for kids to attend school.

Just one small correction to your comment: the chickenpox vaccine was not licensed for use in the U.S. until 1995 (although it was in use earlier in Japan). When my daughter was little, chickenpox epidemics were still a routine thing, and she caught it before the vaccine came out. It wouldn't have been a big deal, except that she gave it to her dad, who had somehow missed catching it as a kid, and it made him much, much sicker than it did her!

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Autism cases are down since people die of the measles. Oh wait. twodogsbarking Friday #1
How much would you bet that trump and his cronies have received the MMR vaccine? C Moon Friday #2
If I remember correctly RFK Jr. the Antivac. nut vaccinated ALL of his children. Multichromatic Friday #9
Wow! C Moon Friday #15
This is correct. ShazzieB 18 hrs ago #21
Yep...Trump and Mrs Trophy were litterly one of the first to get the Covid vaccine Bengus81 16 hrs ago #24
From CNN. Don't expect this kind of reporting of bad news after the Maga Ellisons purchase goes through. nt wiggs Friday #3
Rise in measles is international BaronChocula Friday #4
What I recall of measles from my childhood FakeNoose Friday #5
Why now is different from then. I grew up then also. Born in 1948. LiberalArkie Friday #6
Yes of course, I'm sure it's a big reason FakeNoose Friday #10
The biggest danger from measles is immunity amnesia NickB79 Friday #17
I have very similar memories. ShazzieB 17 hrs ago #22
Yes we never worried about chickenpox as kids, it's something we all had to go through FakeNoose 16 hrs ago #23
You can bet that RFK and his wife had all of those kids get the Polio vaccine Bengus81 16 hrs ago #25
measles Jean Genie Friday #7
Sounds familiar. llmart Friday #16
Measles cases in the first 7 weeks of 2026 were up 762% compared to the same period last year. progressoid Friday #8
1,000 that they know of or are willing to admit to. twodogsbarking Friday #11
BHATTACHARYA: I have not seen a study that suggests any single vaccine causes autism riversedge Friday #12
No, Secretary Kennedy NO child should die from measles. Because there's a vaccine to prevent it. riversedge Friday #13
Oh MAN!!! WHEN are we finally RID of that stupid bastard??? calimary 21 hrs ago #20
Measles gave my sister sleeping sickness for awhile. ananda Friday #14
Once more: "A diseased population is easier to control." not fooled Yesterday #18
Heartbreaking and so preventable Furity Yesterday #19
Collier County Florida, markodochartaigh 16 hrs ago #26
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»The US has surpassed 1,10...»Reply #22