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Can Chicken Pox And Shingles Re Occur?
Question: If I have already had chicken pox and shingles 35 years later, can I catch another case of chicken pox
from visiting a family with a six year old who has an active case of chicken pox or am I protected since
I've had both before. I already realize that I can get another case of the shingles from what is dormant
in my own body. I plan to get immunized this month. I am a 68 year old female. Thank you for
considering my question. I want to visit with this family but I hate to be risking any development
of problems. My e-mail is YYYY@YYYY XXXX XXXXXXX NC
from visiting a family with a six year old who has an active case of chicken pox or am I protected since
I've had both before. I already realize that I can get another case of the shingles from what is dormant
in my own body. I plan to get immunized this month. I am a 68 year old female. Thank you for
considering my question. I want to visit with this family but I hate to be risking any development
of problems. My e-mail is YYYY@YYYY XXXX XXXXXXX NC
Brief Answer:
Life long immunity for chicken pox and shingles
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for chicken pox an related issues.
As I get form your query that you have had chicken pox and shingles 35 years back. Considering this important fact let me reassure you that there are practically no chance of chicken pox in yourself if you visit the family with with a six year old who has an active case of chicken pox.
The above thing is based in certain scientific and medical facts:
Both chicken pox and herpes zoster are caused by the same virus known as varicella zoster virus (VZV). In all the persons getting infection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) there is always a first episode of chicken pox. Once chicken pox occurs then there is life long immunity for this virus and therefore it can not recur again.
After occurrence of chicken pox the virus becomes dormant and many years later varicella zoster virus (VZV) can reactivate again to cause herpes zoster also commonly known as "shingles". For zoster also there is life long immunity and it never recurs.
So you can get form these medical facts that both chicken pox as well as zoster occurs only once in life time. As you have had these infections 35 years back so there is no point of recurrence.
In very few cases reported in literature says recurrence in immuno-compromised person or very least likely decreased immunity in old age. So it is better to give immunization in persons above 60 years. It acts as a booster dose to improve immunity better. There as a precautionary part you can very well get immunized for varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Additionally to inform you- In all cases of chicken pox the person is infective till there is falling of the scab. It means that the person is infective from the formation of blisters to the falling of scab which coincide to around 2 weeks period. So if you cna get an information that whether the child has more than 2 weeks of chicken pox or not.
In case the child has passed 2 weeks of chicken pox infection then you can visit the family or if not then can delay till completion of 2 weeks.
Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.
"With good health wishes"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
Life long immunity for chicken pox and shingles
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for chicken pox an related issues.
As I get form your query that you have had chicken pox and shingles 35 years back. Considering this important fact let me reassure you that there are practically no chance of chicken pox in yourself if you visit the family with with a six year old who has an active case of chicken pox.
The above thing is based in certain scientific and medical facts:
Both chicken pox and herpes zoster are caused by the same virus known as varicella zoster virus (VZV). In all the persons getting infection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) there is always a first episode of chicken pox. Once chicken pox occurs then there is life long immunity for this virus and therefore it can not recur again.
After occurrence of chicken pox the virus becomes dormant and many years later varicella zoster virus (VZV) can reactivate again to cause herpes zoster also commonly known as "shingles". For zoster also there is life long immunity and it never recurs.
So you can get form these medical facts that both chicken pox as well as zoster occurs only once in life time. As you have had these infections 35 years back so there is no point of recurrence.
In very few cases reported in literature says recurrence in immuno-compromised person or very least likely decreased immunity in old age. So it is better to give immunization in persons above 60 years. It acts as a booster dose to improve immunity better. There as a precautionary part you can very well get immunized for varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Additionally to inform you- In all cases of chicken pox the person is infective till there is falling of the scab. It means that the person is infective from the formation of blisters to the falling of scab which coincide to around 2 weeks period. So if you cna get an information that whether the child has more than 2 weeks of chicken pox or not.
In case the child has passed 2 weeks of chicken pox infection then you can visit the family or if not then can delay till completion of 2 weeks.
Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.
"With good health wishes"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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