Question 1

can you catch chicken pox virus a second time?

Accepted Answer

No: You only get chickenpox once.  After that, the varicella zoster virus lives in your nerve cells for life.  It can become reactivated, resulting in shingles (a painful blistering rash over the distribution of a peripheral nerve), but not chickenpox.

Question 2

can you catch chicken pox  from someone who recently received vaccine?  specifically if you are pregnant or newborn

Accepted Answer

Possibly............: There is a very small chance of contracting the virus from an immunized person. If you have been immunized yourself or had chickenpox, the chance is extremely small. The same holds true for a newborn.

Question 3

how did my child catch chicken pox?

Accepted Answer

Chickenpox: Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. The virus is passed through oral and nasal secretions and close contact of unprotected individuals. If your child is immunized and becomes ill with chickenpox chances are the disease will be very mild.
The better immunization rates with our children create protection for all our kids.
Currently the vaccine is given at ages 1 and 4 years.

Question 4

can adults catch chicken pox just like kids can?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If they never had them as a kid they can get them as an adult. Most (80%) who don't recall having them as a kid have blood test evidence that they did have them in the past. However, adult chickenpox is quite worrisome with some developing a fatal pneumonia and many quite sick with the illness.

Question 5

can you explain if it's possible to catch chicken pox twice?

Accepted Answer

Want to test ?: Many years ago kids were often labeled cpx for  several forms of blistering illness because 2 million cases/yr occurred in the us and docs didn't want you coming to their office.Having it twice may or may not have really happened.Your pcp could do a blood test for antibodies and see if you showed protective levels.

Question 6

will a 6weeks old baby catch chicken pox and how dangerous is it?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If the infant's mom has had chickenpox or has been immunized, the infant should be protected by her antibodies.

Question 7

can children still catch chicken pox after they have been vaccinated?

Accepted Answer

Chicken pox: Yes this is possible as the vaccine does not have a 100% success rate.

Question 8

what's the probability that a child under one year old will catch chicken pox?

Accepted Answer

Varies : If the community has a good vaccination rate the chance of exposure is minimized. The vaccination is generally given first at 1 yr or later because earlier administration is not as dependable for providing long term  protection. Avoiding unvaccinated kids or exposure to adults with shingles can help decrease risk of the disease.By the time a kid has spots, they have already been contagious &gt; 24hrs.

Question 9

is it likely to catch chicken pox from some one with shingles?

Accepted Answer

Possbly: The shingles patient is not as contagious as regular chickenpox.Their sneezes, oral secretions, etc are not carrying the virus. However, the debris shed from the shingles blisters contain virus & any contact with that material could infect a non-immune person. Simple hygienic practices like hand washing, and covering the blisters reduces the chance of spread.

Question 10

is it possible to only catch shingles if you have not had chicken pox?

Accepted Answer

Opposite is true: You will only have shingles if you had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine in the past.You may not remember having chickenpox, or it may have been called something else when you had it, but you must have the germ hibernating in your body for it to come out later as the shingles.

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Doctor answers about:

How can you catch chicken pox

A member asked:

Can you catch chicken pox virus a second time?

A member asked:

Can you catch chicken pox from someone who recently received vaccine? specifically if you are pregnant or newborn

A member asked:

How did my child catch chicken pox?

A member asked:

Can adults catch chicken pox just like kids can?

A member asked:

Can you explain if it's possible to catch chicken pox twice?

A member asked:

Will a 6weeks old baby catch chicken pox and how dangerous is it?

A member asked:

Can children still catch chicken pox after they have been vaccinated?

A member asked:

What's the probability that a child under one year old will catch chicken pox?

A member asked:

Is it likely to catch chicken pox from some one with shingles?

A member asked:

Is it possible to only catch shingles if you have not had chicken pox?

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