As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.
Baptized on August 27, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, Mother Teresa took her final vows as a nun in 1937 , taught in India for 17 years before her 1946 “call within a call” to devote herself to caring for the sick and poor
I’m glad you found this post about Mother Teresa. I’d love for you to visit an updated version at this link. Enjoy the photos I took during my visit to this magnificent church in Peoria Illinois.
Mother Teresa visited Peoria Illinois in 1960 to speak before a Catholic women’s group. She told them,
God has not called us to be successful, but to be helpful.”
Mother Teresa
“No Greater Loveis the essential wisdom of Mother Teresa — the most accessible, intimate, and inspiring book of her teachings. Thematically arranged to present her revolutionary vision of Christianity in its graceful simplicity, the book features her thoughts on love, generosity, forgiveness, prayer, service, and what it means to be a Christian. A passionate testament to deep hope and abiding faith in God, No Greater Love celebrates the life and work of one of the world’s most revered spiritual teachers.”
It was one of the “usual childhood diseases” that most of us over 55 years old contracted as children, prior to the use of the vaccine. It is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family and spreads by person to person contact.
What is measles?
The rash of measles, also known as rubeola, starts on the head and spreads to the trunk (chest and upper back) , arms, and legs over a few days .
It was one of the “usual childhood diseases” that most of us over 55 years old contracted as children, prior to the use of the vaccine. It is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family and spreads by person to person contact.
The other “childhood diseases” were
Rubella, or German measles
Chicken pox, or varicella
Roseola
Fifth Disease, or erythema infectiosum
These all cause a rash, called an exanthem.
Mumps was also a common childhood disease but does not usually cause a rash.
Symptoms of measles include cough, nasal drainage, reddened, inflamed eyes, and a rash , pictured .
This photograph depicts the torso of a child who had been infected with the Morbillivirus known as measles, or rubeola, and was displaying the characteristic rash associated with this viral infection.CDC/ Dr. Philip Nader;This image is in the public domain
There is no specific treatment and it runs its course in about 1-2 weeks. Antibiotics are not effective and there is no antiviral drug available for measles.
Most of those infected recover uneventfully but there can be serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
After the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 the number of reported cases was reduced by 99%. In 2000 measles was declared no longer endemic ( occurring routinely) in the United States. U.S. public health officials consider an outbreak a major setback in the control of infectious disease.
After the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 the number of reported cases was reduced by 99%. In 2000 measles was declared no longer endemic (occurring routinely) in the United States. Thus public health officials consider an outbreak a major setback in the control of infectious disease.
Measles vaccine is usually administered as a “3 in 1” vaccine- the MMR, which has been vilified as a possible cause of autism, although that has been thoroughly discredited.
The other two letters in the mix stand for mumps and rubella (also known as German measles) both of which are also caused by viruses and for which no treatment exists.
No vaccine exists for roseola or Fifth Disease, but we have an effective vaccine for chickenpox.
“But recent increases in those who choose to have their children forego vaccines has led to a loss of herd immunity and an increase in these outbreaks.
To further complicate the issue, it seems that immunity wanes with time, which is why many college students (hello spring break!) find themselves falling ill eight to ten years after their last booster at age 12 to 15.”
exploring the HEART of health
My family receives vaccines, including the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and I believe any potential risk is worth the benefit. I urge you to think carefully and talk to a trusted physician before you decide to forgo vaccination for yourself and especially for your children.
Thanks for visiting this blog and considering this vital information as we explore the HEART of health together.
Dr. Aletha
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 
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