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General health

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Original poster

How many times have your DC has chicken pox?

18 replies

kid · 15/04/2007 21:24

I just wondered if its possible for children to get CP more than once?
For instance if they have it mildly, could they get it again if they are exposed to it or are the immune?

OP posts:

kittypants · 15/04/2007 21:25

my ds had it very mildly at about 2 months then again mildly a couple of months ago so im not ruling out he may get it again.my sister whos 18 had it fairlybad as child and has it bad again now.

divastrop · 15/04/2007 21:27

my 3 eldest have had it once each,ds2 only had it mildly at 16 months and hasnt got it again despite it going round the nursery 3 times since hes been there.

JustUsTwo · 15/04/2007 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BonyM · 15/04/2007 21:34

It's very rare to get chicken pox more than one. If it does occur a second time it would be very mild and is more likely in someone with a compromised immune system.

Having it once usually gives lifelong immunity.

Original poster

kid · 15/04/2007 21:46

So even if they only had 2 or 3 spots, they should be immune?

OP posts:

SaintGeorge · 15/04/2007 22:10

Sorry to contradict but it isn't actually very rare at all.

I have had it several times and I know from previous threads on the subject that I am far from alone.

BonyM · 17/04/2007 01:14

From this site - www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/major/hw208307/riskfact.htm

After you have had chicken pox, you become immune to the virus. It is possible that you may have a slight reaction after re-exposure, such as a few spots and a slight fever. However, you will not get a full-blown case of chicken pox more than once.

And here www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3022525

Can I catch chickenpox twice?

The immunity that follows infection with chickenpox is lifelong. Second attacks of chickenpox are rare, although sub-clinical (no symptoms) or very mild re-infections can occur, particularly in patients whose immune systems have been compromised in some way.

SaintGeorge · 17/04/2007 09:50

Doh yeah sorry, something you found on the internet must be right. All those repeated episodes of severe chicken pox that I have had were all in my head.

Silly me.

SweetyDarling · 17/04/2007 09:53

I've had it 3 times.

SaintGeorge · 17/04/2007 09:58

Not possible SweetyDarling, it says so on the internet

Tiggiwinkle · 17/04/2007 11:01

My DS4 developed a rash on his back on Saturday. I rang NHS Direct as I thought it looked like shingles (it has since been confirmed by a doctor that this is in fact the case). The nurse at NHS direct asked if he had had chicken pox in the past-although said that you "can certainly" get it twice.

pigsinmud · 17/04/2007 11:24

Ds1 had it when he was 9 months - smothered in spots. Then he had a few spots when he was 2 - very mild though. Dd2 had it when she was 4 weeks old - hardly any spots apart from a huge one on her forehead! HV said it was likely she'd catch it again when she was older as it was so mild.

tibsy · 17/04/2007 11:31

ds had it twice, very mildly 1st time then covered the 2nd. bless him

BonyM · 17/04/2007 20:49

SaintGeorge - sorry, really wasn't trying to get your back up or start a row, but dh is a research scientist and chickenpox is something he knows a lot about. He has told me it is rare (not impossible, as you know) to catch it more than once, and I just posted a couple of links I had found backing it up.

I didn't ever say you couldn't get it more than once, only that it was not common to (it really isn't!).

Sorry if I caused offence.

Original poster

kid · 17/04/2007 22:42

I really don't know myself, but DS has been exposed to it recently after having it mildly last year. I will report back within 2 weeks to let you know if he caught it.

OP posts:

charlottegeorgiaolivermums · 17/04/2007 22:54

Oh God help me twice?

DD1 3.11yrs has only just got over a mild case 6 days ago and yesterday dd2 2yrs broke out and is totally covered from head to toe inside ears, nose etc. Today ds3 6mths has just come out in a few blisters will see how many he has tomorrow but if dd1 gets it again when will it end.
Having said that I had it very bad at 6yrs but have just found a little row of blisters on outside of heel - not shoe related and a few lumps behind ear and in hair line could I be getting it again if you don't get it just once

Original poster

kid · 17/04/2007 23:14

Once you have had CP, you can get shingles but I'm not sure if you can catch it from CP.

I know shingles affects one side of your body and is a row of blister type spots and very painful.

OP posts:

Tiggiwinkle · 17/04/2007 23:20

You cannot catch shingles from chicken pox, but you can catch CP from someone who has shingles.
Shingles is the re-emergence of the chicken pox virus at a later date in somone who suffered it earlier in their life.

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