This post about measles was first published on www.mariewatts.com on March 30, 2019.  The Center for Disease Control has reported that there have been 3,471 confirmed cases of measles reported in the United States for 2026 as of September 17, 2026. Please note: these are only confirmed cases. Of these, 95% were either unvaccinated or their facinnated status was unknown.  Of these, 9% were hospitalized.  Interestingly enough, the website claimed that the “The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) does not currently have any death records from 2026 that indicate measles is the underlying cause.”  However, Pennsylvania has reported four measles-related deaths.

I am sad that this warning needs to be repeated. 

Measles does have consequences.  I should know.  It happened to me.  The memories of my childhood are faded but some things you never forget.  The year was 1960 and I was in the third grade.

I remember my mother being on the telephone and me crying; I had a headache and stomach ache.  Soon I was in San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas.  I don’t remember much about the stay other than I was drowsy and confined during the biggest snow storm ever.  All I could do is look out the window and see the flakes that accumulated on the windowsill.

MEASLES MEDICAL TREATMENT

Two spinal taps were done.  The is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the spinal canal in order to collect cerebrospinal fluid which is then tested to help diagnose diseases of the central nervous system.

Then I recall being at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.   How long I was there, I don’t know.  My parents died years ago; I wish I could ask them more about my stay.  I remember being seen by a psychologist who asked me what animal I would want to be and I answered with my favorite bird, the Goldfinch.  When he asked why I told him so I could be free.

My doctor was  a short balding man who continued to treat me after my hospital stay.  He had a colorful pediatric office with murals on the wall; the color red being predominate.  I saw him for quite some time after I was released from the hospital, occasionally getting a test where my brain was hooked up to electrodes.  I took a yellow pill for years that I chewed; it tasted chalky.

That year I missed so much school that I was almost held back a grade due to lack of attendance.

While I was fortunate that I didn’t suffer any lasting physical effects, I did suffer emotional ones.  I became more reserved, not as outgoing.

LAST THOUGHTS ON THE MEASLES

Give your child the gift of a measles vaccine.

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