Can old people get chicken pox?

Answer 1

well they can but it usually presents itself as shingles, a very painful condition -same virus

Answer 2

YES--- But Most people get chicken pox as children pass on from other children and the body build immunity to it , but if a person for some reason was not exposed to the chicken pox virus when young they would have no immunity and if exposed to the virus later in life can and will catch chicken pox, And it is more dangerous if you get it as an adult than a child

Answer 3

From what I remember being told as a kid, the older you get the less likely it is that you will get chicken pox. However, if an older person does get pox it is alot more extreme and severe. That's why parents want there children to get it when they are young. Also, for senior age people they can get something similar to childrens chicken pox called shingles which can be fatal.

Answer 4

If they have never had it.... yes.

The chicken pox virus never leaves the body nor does it die. It's possible that at some point in a persons life the virus will flare and cause a form called shingles which is very painful

Answer 5

I am 60 years old and had chicken pox as a child and was just diagnosed by my dermatologist with chicken pox. I am living proof you can get it more than once....and it is NOT shingles!

Answer 6

Yes they can. But its better to get chicken pox at a young age. So I've been told.

Answer 7

yes if you never had them(fyi- shingles is caused by the same virus- herpes zoster )
usually the older you are the more severe the case of chicken pox
chicken pox is scattered on the body and itchy
shingles is usually confined to one area in almost a straight line and is very painful which is a way to differentiate the two

Answer 8

Yes they can. Epically if they have never had the virus as a child. But even if a person had Varicella (Chicken Pox)
as a kid that won't necessarily guarantee immunity. Anyone can get chicken pox.

Answer 9

yes only if they have never had chicken pox but the virus that causes chicken pox can cause shingles in anybody who has HIV and lowered immune systems

Answer 10

the chicken -pox virus does not attack adults. If they had it as a child they can get shingles

Answer 11

You can catch chickenpox at any age if you have not had it before. Shingles only affects people who have already had chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox you are immune to it but the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life. If your immune system is weakened perhaps by another illness the virus reappears as shingles.