A lot of folks have been missing work and school time due to colds and flu. Tammy and I were able to get our flu and COVID shots back in October, and so far, have been able to avoid any major sickness. The last two years, we both came down with COVID before we could get the shots and never took the time to get them later on. All this made me think about how different things were when I was growing up in Bergton.
I grew up before many vaccines became available. Back then, mumps, measles, and chicken pox were diseases you expected to get when you were young. The present-day MMR vaccine didn’t come into play until 1971. In fact, at the time, it was thought that it was better to get the diseases “out of the way” before you got older, because they could be more serious as an adult. It was common practice when one of the kids in the neighborhood came down with mumps, measles, or chicken pox, we would have a “party” so we would all get sick and get it over with. As a result, I have had all three diseases.
You don’t hear much about mumps anymore. Mumps is caused by a virus that attacks the salivary glands. Not being one to make things easy, I had a fever with swelling of one jaw for a week, and then the other jaw the next week. I was told not to jump around, or the swelling would go down into places I didn’t particularly want to be swollen. I didn’t know if that was true, but it did get my attention. A vaccine was developed in 1967 and apparently works pretty well.
Then there were the big measles and little (German) measles. Caused by two different viruses but with potentially more serious consequences. I don’t know which one I came down with, but I had a rash and didn’t feel very good at all. The vaccine for the more severe big measles was available in 1963, and the vaccine for the milder German measles in 1969. Both are now covered with the MMR vaccine.
The chicken pox virus was a different aggravation altogether. I wasn’t all that sick, but there were those pesky blisters and scabs to deal with. I was told not to pick the scabs, or they will leave a scar. As a youngster, I couldn’t help myself, so I have reminders all over me. The vaccine for chicken pox wasn’t introduced in the US until 1995. If you have had chicken pox, it can recur as you get older in the form of shingles. Get your shingles shots.
A very serious viral disease that was a major concern when I was growing up was polio. Children were very susceptible to the disease, which could cause permanent paralysis and death. Thank goodness a vaccine was developed in 1955. This was a big deal! I remember the community vaccinations at the then-new Bergton Elementary School. Everyone would go there on a given day to receive the shots. The atmosphere was almost festive. Later on, in 1961, an oral vaccine (sugar cube) was used, but it has since been phased out.
Today, there is some controversy when it comes to vaccines. Measles and a few other diseases are on the uptick. All I know is that back in the day, parents were greatly relieved when the immunizations we take for granted today became available, and those vaccines have greatly reduced the incidence of childhood diseases.
Take care of yourself, and I hope you have a healthy and prosperous New Year!
