Can an Adult Who Has Had Chicken Pox as a Child Possibly Get It Again

About chickenpox

Chickenpox is a mild and common babyhood illness that about children take hold of at some bespeak.

It causes a rash of scarlet, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then chaff over to grade scabs, which eventually drop off.

Some children take only a few spots, but other children tin accept spots that embrace their entire torso. These are most likely to appear on the face up, ears and scalp, nether the arms, on the chest and belly, and on the arms and legs.

Read more than about the symptoms of chickenpox.

Chickenpox (known medically as varicella) is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus. It'southward spread rapidly and easily from someone who is infected.

Read more about the causes of chickenpox.

Chickenpox is most common in children under the historic period of 10. In fact, chickenpox is and then common in childhood that over 90% of adults are immune to the condition considering they've had it before.

Children usually grab chickenpox in winter and spring, particularly between March and May.

What to practice

To forbid spreading the infection, keep children off nursery or school until all their spots have crusted over.

Chickenpox is infectious from ane to 2 days before the rash starts, until all the blisters accept crusted over (normally 5 to vi days after the start of the rash).

If your child has chickenpox, attempt to keep them away from public areas to avert contact with people who may not have had it, particularly people who are at risk of serious problems, such as newborn babies, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened allowed system (for example, people having cancer treatment or taking steroid tablets).

Read more about what you need to exercise to stop chickenpox spreading.

Chickenpox treatment

Chickenpox in children is considered a mild illness, but your child will probably experience pretty miserable and irritable while they have it.

Your child may have a fever for the outset few days of the illness. The spots can be incredibly itchy.

There is no specific treatment for chickenpox, simply in that location are pharmacy remedies that can convalesce symptoms. These include paracetamol to relieve fever, and calamine lotion and cooling gels to ease itching.

In most children, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally inside one to two weeks.

When to run into a doctor

For most children, chickenpox is a mild illness that gets amend on its ain.

Still, some children can become more seriously sick with chickenpox and need to meet a doctor.

Contact your GP direct away if your child develops any abnormal symptoms, such as:

if the blisters on their skin go infected
if your child has a pain in their chest or has difficulty breathing

Chickenpox in adults

Chickenpox may be a babyhood illness, merely adults can get it too. Chickenpox tends to be more astringent in adults than children, and adults have a higher risk of developing complications.

Adults with chickenpox should stay off piece of work until all the spots have crusted over. They should seek medical advice if they develop whatsoever aberrant symptoms, such equally infected blisters.

Adults with chickenpox may benefit from taking antiviral medicine if treatment is started early in the form of the illness. Read more than about antivirals in the handling of chickenpox.

Who'southward at special hazard?

Some children and adults are at special run a risk of serious problems if they grab chickenpox. They include:

significant women
newborn babies
people with a weakened immune organisation

These people should seek medical advice as soon as they are exposed to the chickenpox virus or they develop chickenpox symptoms.

They may need a blood test to bank check if they are protected from (immune to) chickenpox.

Read more nearly immunity testing and the diagnosis of chickenpox in people at special risk.

Chickenpox in pregnancy

Chickenpox occurs in approximately 3 in every 1,000 pregnancies. It tin crusade serious complications for both the significant woman and her baby. Run into complications of chickenpox for further information on what to practise if y'all are exposed to chickenpox during pregnancy.

Chickenpox and shingles

Once y'all have had chickenpox, you usually develop antibodies to the infection and become allowed to catching it over again. However, the virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus, remains inactive (dormant) in your body's nerve tissues and can return later in life as an illness called shingles.

It's possible to catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, just non the other way effectually.

Is there a vaccine against chickenpox?

There is a chickenpox vaccine, merely it is non part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only offered to children and adults who are specially vulnerable to chickenpox complications.

The recommended ii doses of the vaccine is estimated to offering 98% protection from chickenpox in children and 75% protection in adolescents and adults.

And then it may be possible to develop the infection after vaccination. Similarly, at that place is a gamble that someone who has received the vaccine could develop chickenpox afterward coming in close contact with a person who has shingles.

Symptoms of chickenpox

The most commonly recognised chickenpox symptom is a spotty, baking cherry-red rash that can cover the entire trunk.

Chickenpox spots

The spots commonly appear in clusters and tend to be:

backside the ears
on the face
over the scalp
on the chest and belly
on the arms and legs

Withal, the spots tin be anywhere on the body, even inside the ears and mouth, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside the nappy surface area.

Although the rash starts as small, itchy blood-red spots, these develop a blister on pinnacle and become intensely itchy after nearly 12-14 hours.

Afterwards a 24-hour interval or two, the fluid in the blisters gets cloudy and they begin to dry out and crust over.

After 1 to 2 weeks, the crusting skin will fall off naturally.

New spots tin can keep appearing in waves for 3 to 5 days later the rash begins. Therefore, dissimilar clusters of spots may exist at different stages of blistering or drying out.

Read more well-nigh how to ease the itchiness and other symptoms of chickenpox in our section on chickenpox treatments.

Find out what yous can practice to stop chickenpox spreading.

Feeling unwell

Before the rash appears, you or your child may take some mild influenza-similar symptoms, including:

feeling sick
a loftier temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over
aching, painful muscles
headache
more often than not feeling unwell
loss of appetite

These flu-similar symptoms, especially the fever, tend to be more common and worse in adults than in children.

Unusual symptoms

Most healthy children (and adults) recover from chickenpox with no lasting ill-furnishings simply by resting, simply equally with a cold or the flu.

Nevertheless, some children and adults are unlucky and have a more than severe bout.

Contact your GP straight away if you or your kid develop whatever abnormal symptoms, such as:

the peel surrounding the blisters becoming reddish and painful
pain in the chest or difficulty breathing
signs of aridity, such as fewer moisture nappies, drowsiness and cold hands and feet

In cases such as this, prescription medicine or hospital treatment may exist needed.

Read more about chickenpox complications.

Causes of chickenpox

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. You catch information technology by coming into contact with someone who is infected.

Chickenpox is a very contagious infection. Around 90% of people who have not previously had chickenpox volition go infected when they come up into contact with the virus.

How you catch the virus

The chickenpox virus is spread most hands from someone who has the rash. The blisters are very itchy and intermission open easily, which tin can contaminate surfaces or objects. The virus may then be transferred by touching the surface or object, so touching your face.

The virus is also contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This can too contaminate surfaces or objects.

It normally takes xiv days for the symptoms of chickenpox to evidence after yous accept come into contact with the virus. However, this tin vary from person to person – from equally lilliputian as 7 days, up to 21 days. This is called the "incubation period".

Someone with chickenpox is nearly infectious from one to 2 days before the rash appears, until all the blisters take crusted over. This usually takes 5 to 6 days from the start of the rash.

Read more about the diagnosis of chickenpox and how to stop chickenpox spreading.

Shingles

If you have not had chickenpox before, you tin as well take hold of chickenpox from someone with shingles (an infection acquired by the same virus). Nevertheless, information technology's not possible to catch shingles from someone who has chickenpox.

Diagnosing chickenpox

You or your kid should not usually demand whatsoever medical tests to diagnose chickenpox. You lot tin be pretty sure that it is chickenpox if there are the cardinal symptoms of a mild fever followed past an itchy rash, with blisters and scabs.

Chickenpox spots are usually distinctive enough to distinguish from other rashes, although they can be confused with other weather that affect the pare, such as insect bites or scabies (another contagious skin condition that causes intense itching).

If you're uncertain about what is causing the symptoms, your GP can carry out a simple blood examination to identify the virus.

Discover your local GP surgery.

When to contact your GP

1. See your GP if you're not sure whether you or your child have chickenpox.

2. Contact your GP urgently if you have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox, or you lot take chickenpox symptoms and:

you are pregnant
you have a weakened allowed system (the body's defence organization)
your baby is less than iv weeks old

Chickenpox in these instances can cause serious complications, if left untreated. It is essential to seek medical communication so that y'all can receive any necessary treatment.

three. Contact your GP if you accept chickenpox and are breastfeeding. They can suggest about whether you should go on breastfeeding your baby.

Having a claret exam

Once you have contacted your GP, you may need a test to see if yous're already immune from chickenpox.

If y'all take had chickenpox in the past, information technology is extremely unlikely that you lot will develop chickenpox for a 2nd time. If y'all've never had chickenpox, or you're unsure whether you lot've had information technology, you may demand an immunity exam.

This is a blood test that checks whether y'all are producing the antibodies to the chickenpox virus.

If your claret exam result shows that y'all accept the antibodies, yous'll be naturally protected from the virus. If you don't have the antibodies, yous'll demand to be monitored closely to see if you lot develop chickenpox symptoms. If you lot practise, farther treatment may be needed.

Read more than about chickenpox treatment.

Treating chickenpox

At that place is no cure for chickenpox, and the virus commonly clears upwards by itself without whatsoever treatment.

However, there are ways of easing the crawling and discomfort, and in that location are of import steps yous can accept to end chickenpox spreading.

Painkillers

If your child is in pain or has a high temperature (fever), you tin give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol (available over the counter in pharmacies). Always read the manufacturer's dosage instructions.

Paracetamol is the preferred painkiller for treating the associated symptoms of chickenpox. This is due to a very small risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, causing adverse skin reactions during chickenpox.

Avoid giving your child ibuprofen if they have asthma or a history of stomach issues. If y'all're not sure whether ibuprofen is suitable, check with your GP or pharmacist. If your child is younger than 3 months erstwhile, you should always speak to your GP before giving your child any kind of hurting relief.

Never give your child aspirin if y'all suspect or know that they take chickenpox.

If yous're significant and need to take painkillers, then paracetamol is the starting time selection. Y'all tin use it at any stage of pregnancy. Only take ibuprofen during the second trimester (weeks 14-27 of the pregnancy).

If you lot're pregnant and have chickenpox, you should visit your GP as soon as possible. You may need to have antiviral medicine or immunoglobulin treatment to prevent your symptoms from getting worse.

Keeping hydrated

It is important for children (and adults) with chickenpox to potable plenty of water to avert dehydration. Carbohydrate-free ice lollies are a proficient manner of getting fluids into children. They too help to soothe a sore mouth that has chickenpox spots in it.

Avert anything that may make the rima oris sore, such equally salty foods. Soup is piece of cake to swallow equally long every bit it is not likewise hot.

Cease the scratching

Chickenpox can exist incredibly itchy, simply it'southward of import for children (and adults) to non scratch the spots, to avert future scarring.

One way of stopping scratching is to go along fingernails clean and short. You can as well put socks over your child's hands at night to end them scratching the rash every bit they slumber.

If your child's skin is very itchy or sore, try using calamine balm or cooling gels. These are available in pharmacies and are very safe to use. They have a soothing, cooling consequence.

A stronger medicine chosen chlorphenamine can also help to salve the itching. Information technology's available from your pharmacist over the counter or it can exist prescribed past your GP. Chlorphenamine is taken past oral fissure and is suitable for children over 1 year old.

Cool clothing

If your child has a fever, or if their pare is sore and aggravated, dress them appropriately and so that they don't go as well hot or too cold. Loose-fitting, smooth, cotton fabrics are best and will help finish the pare from becoming sore and irritated.

If your child has chickenpox, avoid sponging them down with cool water. This can brand your child as well common cold and may make them shiver.

Stronger treatments

Antiviral medicine

Aciclovir is an antiviral medicine that is sometimes given to people with chickenpox.

Aciclovir may be prescribed to:

pregnant women
adults, if they visit their GP within 24 hours of the rash appearing
newborn babies
people with a weakened allowed system (the body's defence organization)

Ideally, aciclovir needs to be started within 24 hours of the rash appearing. Information technology does non cure chickenpox, but information technology makes the symptoms less severe. You usually demand to take the medicine as tablets 5 times a day for 7 days.

If you lot are taking aciclovir, make sure yous drinkable enough of fluids. Side effects are rare, but can include nausea and diarrhoea.

Immunoglobulin treatment

Immunoglobulin is a solution of antibodies that is taken from healthy donors. Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) contains antibodies to the chickenpox virus.

Immunoglobulin treatment is given by injection. It is non used to treat chickenpox, but to protect people who are at loftier gamble of developing a severe chickenpox infection. This includes:

meaning women
newborn babies
people with weakened immune systems

In the case of significant women, immunoglobulin treatment also reduces the risk of the unborn baby becoming infected.

Every bit the supply of VZIG is express, information technology will only be considered if a high-risk person has:

been significantly exposed to the virus – significant exposure could be contiguous contact with someone who has chickenpox
been in the aforementioned room for 15 minutes with someone who has chickenpox
had a blood test to confirm that they've not had chickenpox earlier

In some cases, newborn babies may exist given immunoglobulin treatment without having a blood exam first.

Read more nearly the complications of chickenpox.

Complications of chickenpox

Complications of chickenpox are rare in healthy children. The about mutual complication is where the blisters go infected with bacteria.

A sign that the blisters have go infected is when the surrounding pare becomes red and sore.

If you recall that your child's blisters have become infected, contact your GP equally the child may need a course of antibiotics.

Other complications in children

Very rarely, chickenpox can lead to more serious complications involving the nervous organization (encephalon and spinal cord) in children.

These include infections of the encephalon (encephalitis), the protective membranes around the brain (meningitis) or part of the brain called the cerebellum (cerebellitis).

Signs of these problems can include:

a lack of free energy
drowsiness
confusion
seizures (fits)
vomiting
astringent headaches
a strong neck
behavioural changes
issues with walking, balance or speech (ataxia)

Seek medical communication every bit soon as possible if your kid develops whatsoever of these symptoms after having chickenpox.

At-risk groups

The people who are nearly at risk of developing chickenpox complications are:

adults
pregnant women
babies under iv weeks erstwhile
people with a weakened immune organisation

Adults

Chickenpox tin be more serious in adults than in children. Adults with the virus are more probable to exist admitted into hospital. Approximately five-14% of adults with chickenpox develop lung bug, such as pneumonia. If yous smoke, your run a risk of developing lung problems is much higher.

Although it is more than serious in adults, nigh people will nevertheless make a full recovery from the chickenpox virus.

Pregnant women

If you're pregnant, chickenpox can occasionally crusade complications.

For example, your risk of developing pneumonia is slightly college if you're pregnant, particularly if you smoke. The further you are into your pregnancy, the more than serious the risk of pneumonia tends to be.

If you go chickenpox while you're pregnant, there is besides a small but meaning chance to your unborn baby.

If yous are infected with chickenpox during the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, there is a run a risk that your unborn baby could develop a status known as foetal varicella syndrome (FVS).

This syndrome is rare. The risk of it occurring in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is less than 1%. Between weeks xiii and 20, the chance is two%.

At that place accept merely been a few reports of FVS due to an infection from weeks twenty to 28 of pregnancy, and the adventure is thought to exist much less than 1%.

FVS can cause serious complications, including:

scarring
eye defects, such every bit cataracts
shortened limbs
brain damage

In that location are also other risks from catching chickenpox after week twenty of pregnancy.

It's possible that your baby may exist born prematurely (before calendar week 37 of the pregnancy).

If you are infected with chickenpox 7 days before or 7 days after giving birth, your newborn infant may develop a more than serious blazon of chickenpox. In a few severe cases, this type of chickenpox can be fatal.

Run across your GP urgently if you're pregnant or have given nascence in the last 7 days and you call up you may have chickenpox, or if you've been exposed to someone who has chickenpox.

People with a weakened immune organization

Your immune system is your body's way of defending itself confronting illness, bacteria and viruses.

If your allowed organisation is weak or does not work properly, you are more susceptible to developing infections such every bit chickenpox. This is because your body produces fewer antibodies to fight off the infection.

You lot may have a weakened immune system if you have immunosuppressive medication.

Immunosuppressive medication such as steroid tablets may be used if, for example, you have an inflammatory condition such equally rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or certain blood conditions.

If yous have a weakened immune system, you're also more than at risk of developing complications from chickenpox. These complications include:

pneumonia
blood poisoning (septicaemia)
meningitis

See your GP urgently if you lot accept a weakened allowed system and y'all've been exposed to the chickenpox virus.

For more data, read about how to stop the spread of chickenpox.

Preventing the spread of chickenpox

If your child has chickenpox,information technology is recommended that you lot inform their school or nursery, and keep them at dwelling house for 5 days.

If you have chickenpox, stay off piece of work and at home until you're no longer infectious, which is until the final cicatrice has outburst and crusted over. This usually happens five or half dozen days after the rash begins.

It is a adept thought for anyone who has chickenpox to avoid contact with:

pregnant women
newborn babies
anyone who has a weak allowed system, such as people who are having chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer) or taking steroid tablets

If you or your child have recently been exposed to the chickenpox virus, y'all may not be able to visit friends or relatives in infirmary. Telephone the ward to check first.

Travelling on a plane

If you or your kid have chickenpox, yous may non be allowed to fly until six days afterward the last spot has appeared.

You and your child should be safety to fly once you're past the infectious stage and all of the blisters have crusted over. However, information technology's best to check the policy of your airline first. Inform the airline as soon as chickenpox is diagnosed.

It is also of import to let your travel insurer know if you or your child has chickenpox. You need to make certain that you'll exist covered if you have to filibuster or abolish your holiday, or if you need to extend your stay until your child is well plenty to wing dwelling house.

Stop the virus spreading

Chickenpox can sometimes be spread through contact with objects that have been contaminated with the virus, such as children's toys, bedding or clothing.

If someone in your household has chickenpox, you can assist stop the virus spreading past wiping any objects or surfaces with a sterilising solution and making sure that any infected wear or bedding is washed regularly.

Vaccination

In that location is a chickenpox vaccine that is used to protect people who are near at take chances of a serious chickenpox infection or of passing the infection on to someone who is at risk.

People who may exist considered for chickenpox vaccination include:

healthcare workers who are not already immune – for instance, a nurse who has never had chickenpox and who may pass it to someone they are treating if they go infected
people living with someone who has a weakened immune system – for example, the kid of a parent receiving chemotherapy

The vaccine is not suitable for pregnant women. Avoid getting meaning for 3 months later having the vaccine. The vaccine is also not suitable for people with weakened allowed systems.

How effective is the vaccine?

The recommended 2 doses of the vaccine is estimated to offer 98% protection from chickenpox in children and 75% protection in adolescents and adults.

So information technology may exist possible to develop the infection after vaccination.

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Source: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/chickenpox