I had chickenpox when I was about 2 years old (and am now 19). But I only had about 3 poxes, so I was wondering if there was a possibility that I could catch it again? If so, what are the chances?
2006-09-21 13:37:37 · 7 answers · asked by Megan 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
It is possible that you could get chicken-pox again, but more than likely over the last 17 years the chances are that you were exposed to it again by another child (since they were so common until the the last 8 years when a vaccine came out). My advice would be go to the Dr. get a blood test to see if you have immunity to chicken-pox (Varicella Virus). If you do- it is unlikely that you will get chickenpox again (you could get shingles however). If you do not have adequate immunity then you can get vaccinated against Varicella (which should also decrease chances of Shingles). Since you are over 13 however, you would need to have 2 vaccines, 1 month apart.
Hope this is helpful.
2006-09-21 14:41:23 · answer #1 · answered by pedidoc43 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious infection with the varicella-zoster virus that produces a characteristic itchy rash, consisting of small, raised, blistered or crusted spots.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease of childhood. Before the introduction of a vaccine in 1995, about 90% of children developed chickenpox by age 15. Now, the use of the vaccine has decreased the number of cases of chickenpox per year by about 70%. The disease is spread by airborne droplets of moisture containing the varicella-zoster virus. A person with chickenpox is most contagious just after symptoms start but remains contagious until the last blisters have crusted.
Although most people with chickenpox simply have sores on the skin and in the mouth, the virus sometimes infects the lungs, brain, heart, or joints. Such serious infections are more common in newborns, adults, and people with an impaired immune system.
A person who has had chickenpox develops immunity and cannot contract it again. However, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the body after an initial infection with chickenpox, sometimes reactivating in later life, causing shingles.
The excerpt above and additional information may be found at the site below:
2006-09-21 20:54:54 · answer #2 · answered by sheila_0123 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had chicken pox when i was 7 yrs old.
I did not think i would get it again, but I WAS WRONG!
i got it again at 28 yrs old.
YES! you can get it again !
If you suspect you got chicken pox agains, consult your family doctors to make certain that it is NOT SHINGLES!!
Shingles ARE WORSE than chicken pox because they are more dangerous!
I wish you good health.
2006-09-21 20:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by winnie e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but yes you can get them more than once. If you had a mild case ( it sounds like you did) then you can possibly catch them again. My kids had them twice. Try not to catch them again because it is more serious as an adult (especially males) If you want Alta Vista is a medical web site, to get more info.
2006-09-21 20:46:56 · answer #4 · answered by gormom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don;t think you can get chicken pox but 1 time..that is what the dr told me when my kids had it
2006-09-21 20:40:28 · answer #5 · answered by va8326 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know what the chances are but my brother had them as a child and again as an adult
2006-09-21 20:40:19 · answer #6 · answered by spaghetti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
slim chance! but you could get shingles!!!!!!!
2006-09-21 21:11:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋