Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine question - contagious?!
Question: Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine question - contagious!?
I've never had chicken pox (varicella), and I've had the chicken pox vaccine *twice* (back in 2003)!. I've been tested for chicken pox titres before (back in 2002) and even well after having both sets of the vaccine (back in 2005) - I'm still not immune!. My 2 year old will be getting the chicken pox vaccine in another month - I understand it is a live attenuated virus vaccine, which basically means that it's the real deal (not killed), but it's been modified to the point where it's not as strong as the "wild" virus What are the chances that I could catch chicken pox from my child who gets this live vaccine!? BTW, I'm 34 yrs old!. Thanks!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
This isn't an unknown phenomenon!. Sometimes people just don't respond to the vaccine!. (I actually had it when I was 18mths and when I went to nursing school was tested and came back non-immune)
The most contagious area on your child will be the site of the vaccine!. S/he may develop a blister on the site of the vaccination!. This lesion will be contagious!. The best thing you can do is to keep it covered with a bandaid and wear gloves when you change the bandaid out!. Make sure it stays covered until it has dried up and looks scabby!. Then it won't be contagious anymore!. Be really good with your handwashing for yourself and your 2 yo (I know, THAT's a challenge!) to try to prevent spreading it!.
You might talk to the doctor about trying one more time with the vaccine!. Sometimes it's just that magic number of exposures to the virus that pushes you into immune response!. I suggest this only because as you get older, the chickenpox virus affects you more seriously!.
I hope that helps!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The most contagious area on your child will be the site of the vaccine!. S/he may develop a blister on the site of the vaccination!. This lesion will be contagious!. The best thing you can do is to keep it covered with a bandaid and wear gloves when you change the bandaid out!. Make sure it stays covered until it has dried up and looks scabby!. Then it won't be contagious anymore!. Be really good with your handwashing for yourself and your 2 yo (I know, THAT's a challenge!) to try to prevent spreading it!.
You might talk to the doctor about trying one more time with the vaccine!. Sometimes it's just that magic number of exposures to the virus that pushes you into immune response!. I suggest this only because as you get older, the chickenpox virus affects you more seriously!.
I hope that helps!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
This is interesting!. I did not know you could be tested to see if you are immune to the chicken pox!. I would be more concerned about why you cannot be immune when you have been vaccinated and probably exposed more than once without knowing!. If you were breast fed as an infant and your mom had the chicken pox at any point, you would have had partial immunity as an infant!. The chances are good that you could get the chicken pox from your baby but at this point, if 2 vaccines didn't immunize you but you also have never had it, maybe its time to get the pox and get it over with!. There are risk factors for an adult to get them but mostly of a secondary infection on the skin!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Listen, my mom thought she would never get chicken pox!. She didn't get it as a child, but when she got older in was chicken pox that came, but in another form that was more deadly!. It is called Shingles!. It is much worse thatn the regular childhood disease!. I know it from seeing my mom having it! You have a possibility of catching it, but the vaccine should carry you through! If not and you see or feel itching and sores appear go to the doctor immediately!. I'm not trying to scare you, but i'm simply informing you hun!Www@Answer-Health@Com