Can you get chicken pox THREE times?!

[Anewmum2018]

My ds is 2. He’s already had chicken pox twice- we thought that wasn’t possible, but the doctor said that he may have had a mild dose first time round, so didn’t have enough immunity. Both times a doctor diagnosed so we know it was definitely chicken pox.

Now he’s got red spots again! Surely it can’t be the pox? I despair! Has any one else had this?

I think it is possible, just a bit unusual. I had chicken pox twice and shingles as a child. It's probably best to get it checked to be on the safe side though, I hope he feels better soon.

Yes! DS3 has had it three times, the first two he had under ten spots. The final time he was covered in them.

I have an adult friend who has no immunity to chicken pox and gets it around once a year.

yes, DD already had it twice, I have has it many times!

The virus lies dormant in the base of your spine (or something) and can be reactivated, especially if you are below par.

DS had it twice. Very mild the first time. Second time it was awful, he was covered in spots everywhere. Dr also told me if its mild first its possible they get it again.

Yes - if a baby whose mum has had chicken pox catches it before 12mths it is not uncommon to have some residual immunity from mum, which results in a mild dose (which is great because CP in infants can be extremely dangerous) but dies mean a risk of repeated infections.

DC had it three times up to the age of 5. Now late teens.

Two of mine have had it twice, one of them not the mild case then bad case type either. I guess if you can get it twice, you can get it three times. At least you know what works for him. Hope he’s feeling better soon.

DD had it 3 times. First 2 times were very mild, 3rd time at age 7 was much worse and she hasn’t had it since. GP told me the second time that if it’s a mild case they don’t always build immunity.

Chicken pox type spots can also mean Covid - sorry.

Oh damn! Thanks all. I guess I’d take the pox over Covid...

DD had it 3 times, before she was12 months, again 18 months later and the last one age 7. First was mild, 2nd absolutely awful and 3rd mild.

I couldn't believe it but GP assured me that whilst it was rare it was indeed possible.

I've had it twice and when I was pregnant with my second baby, I had a blood test that showed I had no chicken pox immunity and so could have caught it a third time.

Yes. We had a teacher who used to catch it every time there was an outbreak at school without fail. He even caught it twice in one year once.