Each of us no doubt thought that “Childhood” diseases like whooping cough, mumps, measles and chickenpox are only just for kids. Sadly, that is not totally accurate. Adults CAN get childhood diseases because: (A) Protection provided by childhood vaccinations can fade over time. You can have intermittent immunity, or no immunity. (B) There’s a decline in overall vaccination rates which has greatly negatively impact “herd immunity.” If enough people are vaccinated against childhood diseases/influenza viruses, then even those who aren’t vaccinated can benefit because those who are immune can’t spread the disease. (C) Adults can be exposed to germs from sick children or an adult who “unknowingly” has the disease and has contact with other adults. Some adults may also have weakened immune systems, and certain “childhood” diseases can lead to more serious complications.
Skepticism over the effectiveness and safety of vaccines has caused vaccine rates to decline in some parts of the country. In those locations, adults with waning or imperfect immunity can fall prey to childhood infectious diseases, particularly if there’s an outbreak. Added to that scenario, due to false information spread by some “non-science” “medically based” individuals during a recent Texas measle outbreak, cod liver oil was promoted to be used as a “cure” and prevention of measles, which caused hospital admissions of children/adults with Vit A toxicity, with some people developing liver damage; in some cases with nonreversible liver damage.
Herd immunity occurs when enough people in a group/area/community have immunity to a germ, like a virus that is no longer spreading easily. It results from a combination of people getting vaccinated and people getting infected with the germ by “natural immunity.” Both natural and vaccine immunity causes your body to make antibodies that recognize a specific germ. Your body can then fight the germ off more easily the next time it sees it. It usually takes a large percentage of people with immunity to achieve herd immunity. The benefits of herd immunity include the potential to: stop a disease from spreading in a particular area (elimination) or spreading worldwide, and protecting people from serious illness and death, including those people who can’t get vaccinated or don’t develop immunity when they get vaccinated or infected. When vaccinate rates drop, so does herd immunity protection.
A very brief overview:
MEASLES Rubeola, is a highly contagious viral disease. It’s an airborne disease that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The airborne droplets can remain in a room for two hours even after the person with measles is gone, left on object surfaces. It causes a high fever, a widespread rash, flu-like symptoms, cough, red eyes, red spots with white centers in your mouth (Koplik’s spots). It can lead to life-threatening complications, like brain inflammation, blindness, bronchitis, pneumonia; and it can also make you more likely to get sick with other infections. You’re at higher risk for severe complications if you are very young or an adult, and if you have a weakened immune system. About two out of every five people are at risk of being hospitalized. Measles usually lasts 10 to 14 days if you don’t have complications. Even after you’ve recovered, you might be more likely to get sick with other infections. This is because measles often destroys immune system cells that are responsible for remembering past infections to which you’ve developed immunity (immune amnesia). You can also develop life-threatening complications months or years after having measles, especially if you have a weakened immune system or have a chronic medical condition.
USA – Measles – As of December 30, 2025, over 2,000 cases, the highest number of cases in 30 years, with reports of cases from 43 states. There were expectations at that date that there would be a dramatic increase of cases due to traveling and families gathering at the holidays. There were reports of people who had measles who traveled through Newark, NJ, and Boston, Mass. airports, and actively tracking those who could have been exposed during this travel period. An outbreak in Texas played a large role in the spread of measles in the U.S., infecting more than 700 people and leading to the death of two unvaccinated school-age children and spreading to adjacent states – Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, with a large outbreak in South Carolina. There have been 47 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 87% were confirmed outbreak associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% were outbreak associated. The US is close to losing its measles “elimination status.”
CANADA – Measles – As of December 15, 2025, there have been 5,329 confirmed measles cases in 10 jurisdictions. Canada has lost its measles elimination status after struggling to contain a year-long outbreak, the country’s public health agency announced. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said it was informed of the loss by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) after more than 12 months of continuous measles transmission. Canada’s outbreak began in late October 2024 with more than 5,100 measles cases recorded. Measles was declared eliminated from Canada in 1998, two years before the U.S., meaning this is the first time Canada has lost its status in nearly three decades.
MEXICO – Measles – As of November 23, 2025, there have been 5,314 confirmed cases, in 27 States and 152 Municipalities. Chihuahua state reports the vast majority of cases with 4,451, followed by Jalisco (215), Michoacán (157), Guerrero (141), and Sonora (102). The death toll remains at 23. From the news of August 18, 2025: Chihuahua, Mexico, is North America’s measles epicenter as the state or province with the most cases recorded in 2025. According to the Pan American Health Organization, (PAHO) posted that last year (2024), Mexico recorded only seven cases of measles, and that Chihuahua is now leading in measles fatalities, recording 13 of the country’s 14 deaths. PAHO traced Chihuahua’s first (measle) case – a 9-year-old Mennonite child, to a family trip to Gaines County, Texas, where the disease has flourished this year. Mennonite communities are known for being “vaccine hesitant.”
Adults can get measles, as immunity fades over time. Be aware of your environment. Discuss your medical condition situation and risk factors with your care provider if any preventive action needs to occur.
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