Chicken pox 4th time?!

[DiscoDinoBooBoo]

Has anyone had chicken pox as an adult?

I have it (pharmacist and doctors have both had a look) this will be the 4th time?

Is there something wrong with my immune system? Apparently it's rare to have it a 2nd time never mind 4 times.

The doctor asked me if I have any underlying health conditions, which as far as I'm aware I don't?

Do you think I should go back and ask? What would you ask?

Thanks

Oh how awful OP! Is it definitely CP not shingles?

I would speak to your GP and arrange some blood tests.

Yeah it's not ideal at all, feels like I need to put a Red Cross up at the door! Honestly just one thing after another.

Definitely chickenpox apparently, I questioned whether or not it was shingles but the way it is presented is typical of chicken pox and it currently isn't painful just uncomfortable and I feel unwell.

I recently had bloods and everything seems to be ok, low iron but that's normal for me. They are going to check my B12 but I'm wondering if there is a more in-depth blood test that needs to be done? Just doesn't seem normal to have reoccurring chickenpox...

FOUR times?! I have never heard of that in my life. Twice, yes, and that's rare, but four? That's unreal.

Yup.

Definitely needs further investigation.

If your GP hasn't arranged tests, go back and ask for them.

I've had them 3times, only once as an adult. My mum caught them at 50 she thought it could be shingles but doctor told her no it was chickenpox she also has low iron.

I've had it three times. Interesting to see people's comments here as I was told, if you get it twice then the chances are that you'll get it again. You just haven't developed full immunity so you probably won't. My (adult) niece has also had it multiple times. I recovered fully each time and have been fine since.

I was also told that you're more likely to get it multiple times as an adult if your first case was when you were very young/ a small baby which mine was. That was something I heard on the grapevine though, not from a medical professional.

The low iron thing is interesting, I do have low iron generally although no one checked it at the time. I get nasty cold sore outbreaks and I had one of those at the same time as my last chicken pox outbreak which the doctor said was 'interesting'

How awful OP. I remember how miserable I was nearly 40 years ago! Would there be any point in getting the vaccine, once you've recovered?
Hope you feel better soon

Thanks for the replies, it's reassuring to hear the other people have had it more than once. I had it horrendously as a toddler (mum has told me all about it and it's actually one of my first memories) and was hospitalised. Had them in my eyes etc, but I would have thought that would mean that my immunity to it would have been even better?

Had it at about 3, 16, 32 and now 34?

I've had it checked by 3 different medical professionals now and each have confirmed chicken pox, one of them was fascinated and said although extremely rare it can happen, like a previous poster said he believes my body isn't creating a full immunity therefore it keeps coming back. The doctor also said that as I get older I'll have to have the shingles vaccine as it's the same virus? If you have shingles you can give someone chicken pox? Never heard this but perhaps I've unknowingly come into contact with someone with shingles?

Also think it's really interesting that other posters have suggested a link to the low iron side of things? I'm also having my B12 checked in a couple of weeks, as this wasn't checked with my FBC and perhaps the fatigued linked to the iron could also be a B12 issue. It's nothing new I used to have B12 injections over the course of 12 months but just all seems odd that I'm going through it again?

I didn't know there was a vaccine? I think I need one.

Fed up of feeling lousy 😔

My sister had it 3 times

The shingles vaccine is only recommended for those over 70 as immunity doesn’t last and you can’t get a second vaccine for it - apparently it can affect those over 70 quite badly

DD has had shingles at 12 it’s quite rare apparently.

Maybe look into the chicken pox vaccine? You can harm an unborn baby if you have chicken pox and pregnant.

Wow! Not just me then!

Yes, they said that as I get older (elderly) ill possibly need it.

I always associate shingles with the more elderly, I wonder how your DD contracted it? Do you know? I guess with most things, it's unlikely but not unheard of.

Thanks for the info, I know that it can be harmful. I'm just staying out of the way of everyone if I'm honest, not visiting family and no one I know is pregnant so that's something at least.

How do I go about getting a vaccine? Is this something my Gp can organise?

I’m fully vaccinated and have had mumps twice (doctor confirmed). Otherwise healthy. Some people just can’t learn immunity to some viruses it seems.

My mum has had it three times. She got the shingles vaccine as soon as she could. You can get the chicken pox vaccine privately. I had my children vaccinated.

I'm going to speak to my GP next week, feel so unbelievably tired it's awful. Perhaps request the vaccine and if not I'll pay private.

I have a nearly 2 year old son, he doesn't have any spots (yet) so at least that's something to look forward too I suspected I may get them again because I've already had them 3 times but thought I would probably catch them off him?

Thanks for everyone's input. Nice to know I'm not alone but will push for some further testing.

My DD has had chicken pox 3 times. The GP told us that you can - in rare cases - get it up to 5 times (sorry OP!) if you haven’t made enough antibodies, as there are 5 different variants apparently. Usually people make antibodies which cover all 5 variants but in rare cases - e.g. if you’d first exposure happens before you’re 12 months old - you won’t make strong enough antibodies.

Which seems particularly pertinent now with Covid too!

@MrsFelicianoLopez (internal scream) thanks, I suppose my immune system must be shot then only one more variant to go!!

Sorry to hear your DD has had it multiple times too, it really is lousy.

Yeah, COVID has a lot to answer for! My son started nursery in February and it's just been a continuous cycle of illness....now this!! Arrrrrrgh