Can you get Chicken Pox more than once?

[AJB135]

Hi Everyone Can you get chicken pox more than once? AJB135

[CIS]

you can but its unusual - normally if you do catch it again then it manifests as shingles

[snails's pace]

no..but you can get shingles from someone who has chickenpox...i believe

[rudeyjudey]

No you become immune but think you can get shingles instead?
:o

[skyrocket]

i had it twice

[Tao81]

Hi Everyone Can you get chicken pox more than once? AJB135
If you get chicken pox as a child usually you develop lifelong immunity - but not always, my daughter had it twice as a youngster, the first bout was mild and the second one was full on, she hasn't had it a third time.

As an adult chickenpox is very serious - My GP had a friend who died of it at the age of 35yrs!!:eek: and unlike in childhood you do not develop long-term immunity.

I got chicken pox at 29yrs and was extremely ill and often question whether my immune system has ever fully recovered from such a serious hit?!!
Not had it again but freak out if I find out chicken pox is rampant within my environment because I know I am not immune to getting it again (God forbid)
Shingles is normally how the disease manifests within adults but individual responses to infection can vary enormously.

[pboae]

You don't 'catch' shingles. The chicken pox virus remains in you but stays dormant, and in some people it flares up again, but manifests itself as shingles.

It is possible for someone with shingles to give somebody else chicken pox (if the second person has never had chicken pox), but once you have had chicken pox, repeat exposure makes no difference, as you are already infected.

*Except* that very occasionally people don't continue to harbour the virus, and they don't develop any immunity, in which case they can catch chicken pox again. Either from someone with chicken pox or someone with shingles.

[Savvy_Sue]

DS1 had it twice, but the first time was very very mild ...

[sarahlouise210]

I had it twice..as others have said - the first time was very mild (second time was NOT !)

[Hapless]

I have had chicken pox 3 times, 3 out of 4 of my children have had it once, eldest not at all, Dr believes she is a viral carrier of the Chicken pox and is more likely to develop shingles.

[DrFluffy]

Why? If you think you have it and have had it before, you still need to go and see your GP... A horse with stripes painted on it is not a zebra and all that jazz...

[Hapless]

Isn't chicken pox one of the viruses that have to be reported? like measles etc?

[Savvy_Sue]

I agree that the OP may need to seek medical advice as to whether it is or is not chicken pox, in case it's not, and certainly if someone is very poorly with it then they need to see a GP, or if an adult they may need a medical certificate for work. However, I don't think any of my children have ever seen the GP with chicken pox - Health Visitor happened to call in when DS1 had it the first time and agreed that his one or two spots 'looked like' chicken pox, which was doing the rounds at the time.

If it's a child involved, and all the OP needs is confirmation that you CAN get it more than once, then I am not sure why the GP needs to be involved? :confused:

[DrFluffy]

Isn't chicken pox one of the viruses that have to be reported? like measles etc?

No - it's desireable for kids to get it, to protect pregnant ladies and other adults that haven't got it. Varicella is not notifiable.

[Savvy_Sue]

Isn't chicken pox one of the viruses that have to be reported? like measles etc?Nope. I've just looked it up. Measles is, chickenpox isn't.

[AJB135]

Hi Everyone

Many Thanks for your replies, I was only asking because my 4 year old nephew has got chicken pox at the moment. I just wondered if you could get it more than once, as I had it when I was a child.

I was just curious that is all.

Many Thanks again for the replies.

ajb135

[Toothsmith]

no..but you can get shingles from someone who has chickenpox...i believe

This is the wrong way round I think.

The virus stays in your body in a dormant state once you've had chicken pox. If it rears it's ugly head again, that's when you develop shingles.

The virus becoming active again makes the person infective quite a while before shingles symptoms show - and in that time, several kids in contact with that adult can catch the virus, and start showing signs of chicken pox.

So the sequence of events is often the kids with chicken pox being blamed for the adult's shingles, when really it's the adult who started it all off!

Is that right Fluffy??

[snails's pace]

Shingles can only arise in individuals who have had previous exposure to chicken pox (varicella zoster). Individuals develop shingles for many different reasons, most of which are thought to be a result of events which depress the immune system, such as aging, severe emotional stress, severe illness, immunosuppression or long-term use of corticosteroids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroid).[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles#_note-Mounsey) However, the cellular and immunological events that lead to reactivation are poorly understood.[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles#_note-Donahue) There have been recorded cases of outbreaks occurring due to unmanaged stress or other stresses to the skin such as pinching in more sensitive areas of the skin (nipples, ears, and underarms), scratching, or biting.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles#_note-Stankus)

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Herpes_zoster&action=edit&section=3)] Pathophysiology

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/A_Course_of_Shingles_diagram.png/250px-A_Course_of_Shingles_diagram.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:A_Course_of_Shingles_diagram.png) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:A_Course_of_Shingles_diagram.png)
A course of Shingles


The causative agent for herpes zoster is varicella zoster virus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicella_zoster_virus) (VZV). Most people are infected with this virus as a child, as it causes chicken pox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_pox). The body eliminates the virus from the system, but it remains dormant in the ganglia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganglion) adjacent to the spinal cord (called the dorsal root ganglion) or the ganglion semilunare (ganglion Gasseri) in the cranial base.
Generally, the immune system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system) suppresses reactivation of the virus. In the elderly, whose immune response generally tends to deteriorate, as well as in those patients whose immune system is being suppressed, this process fails. (Some researchers speculate that sunburn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunburn) and other, unrelated stresses that can affect the immune system may also lead to viral reactivation.) The virus starts replicating in the nerve cells, and newly formed viruses are carried down the axons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axon) to the area of skin served by that ganglion (a dermatome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatome)). Here, the virus causes local inflammation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflammation) in the skin, with the formation of blisters.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles#_note-Zamula)[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles#_note-Stankus)
The pain characteristic of herpes zoster is thought to be due to irritation of the sensory nerve fibers in which the virus reproduces.

[squeaky]

I had shingles when I was in the Navy. They plonked me in sick bay for two weeks.

Then some magic specialist came round, took one look, and sent me back to work.

I was pleased, honest :) Hospital is boring.


Going back to an earlier post, back in the late fifties, if a child had chicken pox, all the friends and neighbours would send their kids round to play with the unfortunate with the express intention of "getting it over with while they're young".

Do people still do this?

[snipzychick]

Yes, you can get it more than once. I've had it three times, so has my bro, also my ds had it twice, the 1st time was mild, but the 2nd time was really bad.

[aurora borealis]

My mum swears I had measles three times.

I can vividly remember the pain in my eyes - owwwwwww.

[Quackers]

IGoing back to an earlier post, back in the late fifties, if a child had chicken pox, all the friends and neighbours would send their kids round to play with the unfortunate with the express intention of "getting it over with while they're young".

Do people still do this?

I remember it was done when I was a child in the 70's & 80's.

Not sure if people still do it now.

I never kept my chidren away from others when they had it as I always had a similar attitude of 'they may as well get it over & done with'

My 7 month old Nephew has chicken pox at the moment. The blisters/spots are infected too & I have never seen it as bad on anyone in my life.

He's so poorly. :(

[Savvy_Sue]

Going back to an earlier post, back in the late fifties, if a child had chicken pox, all the friends and neighbours would send their kids round to play with the unfortunate with the express intention of "getting it over with while they're young".

Do people still do this?I was doing it in the 80s and 90s, not so much 'parties' as still going to see my friends with my kids in tow even if their kids had it.

Mind you, the first time DS1 had it, his little friend was staying with us overnight while Mum was in labour. Friend went to bed fine, woke up with spots, so it was a bit late by then anyway! DS1 only had one or two spots which is why I had the HV look him over.

We did give it to an adult friend just before Easter one year, which was a bit unfortunate. I did warn him that it was doing the rounds, he still agreed to mind DS3 who promptly came out in spots. Our friend wasn't sure whether he'd had it or not, but it didn't look like it when his spots developed!

Children can be quite poorly with it, so I wouldn't automatically send a child to a chickenpox party ... But it is the last of the childhood nasties for which there is as yet no vaccine, isn't it?

[cannylass]

There is a 2 dose vaccine available to limited high risk groups, including health care workers, in this country. I believe it is about 75% effective in providing immunity.

[DrFluffy]

There is a 2 dose vaccine available to limited high risk groups, including health care workers, in this country. I believe it is about 75% effective in providing immunity.

Are you getting confused with MMR?

The chicken pox vaccine used in the UK is one dose and 95% seroconvert (develop antibidies). All medical students are tested for antibodies in their first year, and if they don't have them, they get vaccinated before patient contact begins. I assume this is much the same for nurses, radiographers etc...

The MMR is a 2 dose vaccine specifically because the measles aspect of it only leads to seroconversion in 75-80% of people immunised after one dose. The second dose brings this up to 95%.

My "Public Health" lecturer would be proud of me! ;)

[DrFluffy]

This is the wrong way round I think.

The virus stays in your body in a dormant state once you've had chicken pox. If it rears it's ugly head again, that's when you develop shingles.

The virus becoming active again makes the person infective quite a while before shingles symptoms show - and in that time, several kids in contact with that adult can catch the virus, and start showing signs of chicken pox.

So the sequence of events is often the kids with chicken pox being blamed for the adult's shingles, when really it's the adult who started it all off!

Is that right Fluffy??

Yup - totally right. VZV 'lives' in the dorsal ganglia, integrating into the hosts DNA. When it reactivates as shingles it can only invade that dermatome (which I know you know - I bet you see shed loads of trigeminal cases as a dentalist), so you only get shingles lesions on the skin serviced by that nerve root.

Shingles isn't as infectious as chicken pox though - chicken pox can be spread through droplets (i.e. snivelly little kids ;) ), where as shingles --> chicken pox needs direct contact. However, shingles --> chicken pox in a new person is rampant in people with a weakened immune system.

My friend got shingles last year and wasn't allowed on ward for almost a month! She then developed trigenimal neuralgia to put the icing on the cake :(

[DrFluffy]

There is a 2 dose vaccine available to limited high risk groups, including health care workers, in this country. I believe it is about 75% effective in providing immunity.

Just read they use a 2 dose schedule in the US...

[Need_More_Money]

This is the wrong way round I think.

The virus stays in your body in a dormant state once you've had chicken pox. If it rears it's ugly head again, that's when you develop shingles.

The virus becoming active again makes the person infective quite a while before shingles symptoms show - and in that time, several kids in contact with that adult can catch the virus, and start showing signs of chicken pox.

So the sequence of events is often the kids with chicken pox being blamed for the adult's shingles, when really it's the adult who started it all off!

Is that right Fluffy??

This is my understanding too - you can't catch shingles.
Most people develop immunity to chicken pox after having it but a few don't so it is possible to catch it again. I had chicken pox as an adult a few years ago but still do not have antibodies so could get it again :( But it is still possible to be immune even without antibodies.

[cannylass]

Are you getting confused with MMR?

The chicken pox vaccine used in the UK is one dose and 95% seroconvert (develop antibidies). All medical students are tested for antibodies in their first year, and if they don't have them, they get vaccinated before patient contact begins. I assume this is much the same for nurses, radiographers etc...

The MMR is a 2 dose vaccine specifically because the measles aspect of it only leads to seroconversion in 75-80% of people immunised after one dose. The second dose brings this up to 95%.

My "Public Health" lecturer would be proud of me! ;)

nope!!

It is def. a 2 parter, see latest "Green book" info:D

[DrFluffy]

Hmm - we were only ever given one if needed... And the WHO say one dose UK, two dose US... http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/varicella.shtml

In Japan and several other countries one dose of the vaccine is considered sufficient, regardless of age. In the United States, two doses, four to eight weeks apart, are recommended for adolescents and adults, in whom 78% were found to have seroconverted after the first, and 99% after the second dose of the vaccine. Children below 13 years of age receive only one dose.

Edit: that's almost cheating ;) The Varicella bit of the Green book was only updated in mid May ;) :D...

So does that mean all the health care professionals who have only had one dose will need another?

[cannylass]

Hmm - we were only ever given one if needed... And the WHO say one dose UK, two dose US... http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/varicella.shtml

In Japan and several other countries one dose of the vaccine is considered sufficient, regardless of age. In the United States, two doses, four to eight weeks apart, are recommended for adolescents and adults, in whom 78% were found to have seroconverted after the first, and 99% after the second dose of the vaccine. Children below 13 years of age receive only one dose.

Edit: that's almost cheating ;) The Varicella bit of the Green book was only updated in mid May ;) :D...

So does that mean all the health care professionals who have only had one dose will need another?



Sorry, Fluffy, can I help that I am so incredibly well informed/up to date!!!:D :D :D
I don't know what would be recommended if only one dose given-presumably could be topped up at anytime as long as minimal time interval has elapsed. ;)

[amandada]

I had it twice-once when I was a kid, then for the second time 6 weeks before I got married for the 1st time....it was a sign....I should have known the marriage would be doomed!:rotfl:

[pounds_and_pensive]

I've had it at least twice. I had chicken pox when I was seven months pregnant with my oldest son, almost twenty years ago. My mum was pretty certain I'd already had it as a kid, but if I had, then I'd forgotten it. The midwife just told me that it wasn't a problem, and that it might even give the baby immunity. Not so - he got it almost the minute he started school, and then generously gave it to me again. Such a thoughtful child :)

[boo81]

My best friend in school had it 4 times whilst in school and has had it more since though I cant tell you how many times.

Im hoping im immune as I had it aged 2 so dont remember it, though I do have a few scars. My mum is asthmatic and unfortunately caught it at that time too and she was aged 40, dad took pics the crual man!

Because you get the spots in your windpipe is really affected her breathing and she was very sick, her skin is also very scarred. I think its best to get it over and done with as a child if possible!

[Diamonds]

I've just noticed some spots on my son's body and recon it's chickenpox. He started school this September so it's one thing after another at the mo, as it is when they start to mingle with all the other children. He is absolutely fine in himself and is outside playing building and whatnot. Do I need to take him to the doctors or do I just keep an eye on him? is he contagious? sorry.. I know we're not allowed to ask medical questions, just want a bit of advice really.

[pumpa]

They start off like tiny blisters and spread really fast. We only took our son just to confirm diagnosis, and we got given calamine lotion (luckily he didn't have them in his mouth or by his eyes like i did!). He had it very mildly, only about 10 blisters. He's contagious yes, we kept our son off school for a week and a half as the school had a strict policy about chicken pox.

[Diamonds]

He's absolutely covered now.. all over his neck, stomach and back and he has some around his right eye and in his ears but he's still absolutely fine and not even itching.. took him to boots yesterday for some calamine lotion in case he starts to itch and the woman in there said it looks like C.P. but might be best to get it confirmed. I hate going docs tho and if he's contagious, shoudln't he be kept away from people? especially old people and pregnant women :confused: in our docs we usually have to wait at least half an hour before we go in and it's riddled with old people.

[shopndrop]

When you make appointment, can you tell receptionist that you are almost sure he is contagious and can you sit elsewhere, not in the waiting room. Seem to remember years ago, when DS had it that we were put in an empty room to wait for our appointment so not mixing with other patients. Same happened a couple of years ago when DS had mumps, mentioned this at reception and we were asked to sit away from main waiting area.

[ellies angel]

I know this is a bit late, but its always a good idea to notify your GP so it can go on your childs medical record. Most children nowadays only feel slightly ill with it, a bit of tempreture and of course the itching. As a parent you can get child paracetamol or Capol by perscription which can save you a few pennies.

I had it twice in the 70's when I was a young child and was very poorly with it. My dad incidently developed shingles in his 50's. He never had chicken pox

Merry Christmas

[prudencekitten]

I had chickenpox twice, once as a small child and once as a teenager. I got shingles when I was 21. I was temping when I got shingles and had to keep working as I needed the money. Someone at work told me it could be passed on to others, so I had to keep my mouth shut. Got no time off and no sympathy for my secret illness!

[LuciferTDark]

I read in the paper the other day about a 37yr old bloke who caught it off his youngster & died, scared the living daylights out of me as I caught it myself a few years ago from one of my kids & I was off my feet for 2 weeks.