My question about measles immunity

[goatgal]

"Adults who have weakened or impaired immune systems caused by diseases, cancers or medications, or those who may have altered immunity such as the very elderly, are at higher risk for severe complications from measles, including pneumonia. They are also at higher risk for adverse reactions to the vaccine, and they should talk with their doctor. Faust says protection with a protein injection called immune serum globulin may be more appropriate." This is from a Washington Post story which interviewed the CDC. I was prompted by mrsmikebuffering9 to search the question because I had the measles as a young child and was unsure if my natural immunity would still protect me. Since I had had adverse reactions to some medications now that I am officially old, I want to act cautiously and self-protectively.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

What is officially old?🤔

[goatgal in reply to Jesmcd2]

well, there are a number of indicators: folks in my region respond to me with "yes, ma'am", others call me dear (though I assure you I am not!), doctors tell me _____ is "just old age", people pat me on the shoulder (my response: grrrrr!), without my glasses, I think I look pretty much as always, with my glasses I see wrinkles, spots, blotches, sags that weren't so evident before, I retired almost 15 years ago, I draw a pittance from social security and an adequate pension, I have medicare and a Golden Eagle National Parks passport...so I am apparently officially old (though in my head, I feel much as I always have, not old not young just me). Oh, and one more indicator: I no longer have even the slightest desire to tent camp, unroll a bedroll and sleep on stoney ground!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to goatgal]

Oh. So I'm only half way there. 😐

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Jesmcd2]

🤣😂😭 sooo joking

[goatgal in reply to Jesmcd2]

Hey Jes, Far as I can tell, you're a spring chicken (or as we hen tenders say, a pullet) whereas I am certainly an old biddy hen now, ruffled feathers and all.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to goatgal]

Blah so you think.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Great post goatgal I should maybe check with my neuro about that! Thank you!

🤗💕🌠🦈

[Iona60]

Did you figure out if you are still protected? I also had the measles as a child, both kinds. For a while, the research was showing a link between MS and measles. I wonder how many of us has had them.

[goatgal in reply to Iona60]

I also had both rubella and rubeola. If I were around travelers from Israel or the Philippines (evidently the origins of the current scourge) or school age children, I would ask to have my immunity tested before opting for vaccination. In the early 1960s I worked with a young pregnant woman who was dreading the birth of her baby because she (the mom to be) had contracted measles early in the pregnancy...and it can causes terrible birth defects, deafness if I am not mistaken. One need only to travel widely to countries where children are unvaccinated to realize how protective vaccine immunity is!

[greaterexp]

Thanks for posting this. It's relevant to all of us, but especially those who take things like Ocrevus or other immunosuppressants.

[kycmary]

I would be very interested in knowing. I had the measles when I was less than 10.