Can you get chicken pox twice?

Question

I think I got em twice, is that possible?

Answer 1

no, you can only get it once. you probably got smallpox the second time around.

Answer 2

The virus that causes chicken pox is known as the 'Varicella Zoster Virus' (VZV). The first time one gets the infection (varicella), it is generally very mild & subsides within 10 days (person remains infective for longer). After the infection, the virus 'stays' in the nerve cells that carry impulses to the brain (dorsal ganglia). Where upon some kind of stress - trauma, injection, fever, or depressed immunity etc. the virus can get reactivated & cause a very severe condition - 'Zoster'. The condition is very painful. Actually, it is NOT possible to get zoster without having suffered from varicella, but sometimes it can so happen that the body counters the first infection so well that the person may not be aware of the condition because there would be no symptoms, & they may feel they r getting infected by the virus for the 'first' time. There r many ways in which VZV may get reactivated. Sometimes there can be only pain or altered sensations without visible vesicles (rash). One of the most painful form of zoster is ophthalmic zoster, affecting the eye & surrounding structures. Also, trigeminal nerve (which carries sensation to the brain from the face) may get affected. I hope this was of help. Bye. Take care.
PS: It may be a good idea to get vaccinated against VZV if u don't remember getting chicken pox, since it is said that varicella in adults is very painful. Also, cigarette-smokers get a very fatal form of pneumonia on getting zoster.

Answer 3

Yes, my daughter had chicken pox three times, the vaccine wasn't available back then. We moved frequently, apparently there are variant strains in different locations. Her episodes were never real bad, so she's probably at high risk for shingles later in life. Each time I met the doctor at the back door of the clinic - he had her records in his hand - and he verified it was chicken pox.
Most kids 11 and under have received the chicken pox vaccine. It is still possible to get chicken pox, but even more rare.

Answer 4

Getting Chicken pox twice is rare. often times it is in fact another illness that you mistake for the chicken pox. It is possible though.

Answer 5

If you had a very mild case the first time, you can get them a second time. Most people end up getting shingles if they have already had chicken pox.

Answer 6

Once you have chicken pox, the remaining white cells in your body are tagged to attack and not allow it to recur. This also is true for some other, but certainly not even close to all, diseases. Among them, I thin measles can only be gotten once (not sure if the type of measles is exclusive).

Answer 7

I have heard of this from a few friends.If you have the symptoms you should see a doctor to ensure that it's not shingles.The two are closely related and some of the syptoms are the same.I seriously doubt you have small pox though.Oh boy

Answer 8

The chicken pox virus stays dormant in your system. If it reactivates, it comes back as the condition known as "Shingles". Shingles usually occurs in mid life, is very painful, and is often brought on by stress.

Answer 9

No your body develops antibodies after you get it the first time and if you are exposed again your body remembers the recipe for the cure and eliminates it before symptoms can develop so it was more likely something else with similar symptoms the second time around

Answer 10

no that is not possible, may be the diagnosis either first or second time was wrong, cause many diseases can mimic chicken box

Answer 11

If you had a mild case the first time, then yes, you can get them a second time.