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In reply to the discussion: Measles is back: A mother's story, from today's LA Times: [View all]deafskeptic
(463 posts)Back in 1966, my big brother had a case of rubella. My mother who was pregnant with me showed no signs of contracting Rubella from my brother. It was not until after I was born, that my parents found out that I had contracted it.
Congential Rubella Syndrome can have the following syntoms: Sensorineural deafness, Congenital heart disease, and eye problems, intellectual disability. Other less common problems like autism are known symptoms of CRS as well.
The only symptom of CRS that I have is profound deafness. It is not heredity. Vaccines for Rubella wasn't around then so I always thought it was one of those unfortunate things that happens.
It never occurred to me that anyone would blame themselves for my rubella until my dad (an M.D.) asked me if I had blamed him for my deafness. I was shocked at this question because it had never occurred to me that anyone were to blame. If a vaccine had been available then, I'm certain my Dad would have made sure all of us were immune to it. It's just unreasonable to blame anyone considering the fact there wasn't much people - including medical folks - could do. Parents today won't have that option if they should refuse to vaccine their children.
The Rubella endemic happened between 1964 -65. Most deaf around my age or just older because deaf as a result of Rubella. It's disconcerting to see so many younger deaf children who weren't affected by Rubella - unless they are of Mexican descent or South American descent.
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