“For the vast majority of children, measles is basically a rash. In fact, in 1962, before the measles vaccine, the following statement appeared in the British Medical Journal: ‘Measles is often regarded as a normal part of childhood development . . .”

 

Recent news would have you believing we are in the midst of yet another great health crisis.

Measles.  

I am writing this to help ease any concern you may have and to keep you from panicking over a disease that’s been around for hundreds of years, has a mortality rate worldwide of roughly 0.00131%—or 1.31 thousandths of a percent, and is largely what I would call routine.

Yes, measles has returned as it consistently does about this time every year. 

I remember it well as I not only had measles, but also chickenpox and mumps. These were all standard fare for kids of my generation. And yet somehow now they’re being portrayed as a health crisis.

 

This is Not New

 

“It used to be, when I was a kid, that everybody got measles. And the measles gave you lifetime protection against measles infection,” The vaccine doesn’t do that. The vaccine is effective for some people for life, but for many people it wanes.” RFK Jr.

 

Measles is not new. An article in ScienceDirect places it as far back as the Renaissance, suggesting we’ve coexisted with it for centuries. 

Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH, describes it as an uncomfortable condition characterized by an itchy, widespread rash but rarely life threatening. It generally arrives with a fever, cough, crusty and runny eyes, runny nose and a rash that begins on the face and eventually can cover the entire body.  

Lasts about a week if there are no complications. 

 

Treatment Options

 

Standard care includes rest, hydration, vitamin A and C supplementation, which may reduce severity, and, as my mother always emphasized, a dose of  “TLC” (Tender Loving Care) and maybe some homemade chicken soup!  

Dr. Peter McCullough also encourages diets rich in carotenoids like carrots, peppers, squash, and other red/yellow colored vegetables. He also advises vitamin A supplementation to be sure the minimum daily requirement of vitamin A is achieved. 

 

Natural Immunity vs Vaccines

 

For me and many others back in the day, getting the measles wasn’t a big deal. Parents and pediatricians largely considered it an “unpleasant, although more or less inevitable, part of childhood”, reports the Children’s Health Defense in its extensive booklet on the subject. 

And once it’s run its course, your bonus is lifetime immunity. This is contrary to vaccines which have been shown to provide about 10 to 15 years of protection after which immunity begins to wane, putting the elderly at risk. 

Moreover the vaccine doesn’t come without complications, says Dr. Richard Bartlett, as the vaccines can cause all of the complications of the illness itself. 

Children’s Health Defense goes on to question the need for a vaccine that is “largely unnecessary and carries real risks for the children mandated to take them”. With a vaccine schedule of upwards of 70 doses, one might question the cumulative impact on a little body.

Historical data support this as well, indicating that measles cases have persisted even with vaccine uptake over 90%, reports McCullough

 

The Choice May Not Be Yours

 

In most states, you may have little choice as MMR vaccines are required at most public schools. There may be medical and philosophical exemptions, but these can be hard to obtain. 

If you’re stuck with a required schedule, most functional doctors would say push the first MMR as late as your state allows (maybe 2–3 years) and space out other shots to avoid a pile-on. Most importantly, avoid the CDC’s combo appointments (like MMR + DTaP at 12 months) as these put extreme stress on your little ones.

The Functional docs would also stress focusing on your child’s gut health (probiotics, good whole-food diet) to support the immune hit your child takes with each of these shots. 

There has been much controversy over the link between MMR vaccines, gut health, and the potential line to autism. Too much to go into here. If you want to dig in, here’s a deep dive. 

 

The Body’s Response

 

Your body is a brilliant creation designed to overcome most sicknesses and with each one we build natural immunity and resilience. And so it is with the measles. 

Nevertheless, measles remains a concern for many. For some, it’s a manageable childhood illness with a straightforward recovery and lasting benefits. For others, its risks—however small—justify vaccination. 

 

With Love ♥

 

Want to connect: email me at: elaine@elainepauly.com. I’m here to help!

 

 

Resources: 

A possible Vitamin A source from Dr.Greenlife, for little ones.

A quick 7-minute interview with Dr. Peter McCullough, one of the experts on Measles.

A list of your best Vitamin A foods!