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276681 tn?1335825493

Chicken Pox Vaccine

Hello,

Has anyone taken the chicken pox vaccine?  I haven't had chicken pox and am told that it can be really bad if you get it at an older age.
4 Responses
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168348 tn?1379357075
If you have not had the Chicken Pox and somebody you are close with becomes pregnant it could put her at risk if you get the Chicken Pox.  

This holds true I *believe*  even if she has the immunity as there are a small % of immunized people or those who have the immunity who still contract lesser cases.

As you search for an answer that is right for you, that is something else I'd put into the mix when you speak with your physician.

Chery;
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Avatar universal
I would recommend getting your blood levels checked for chicken pox "immunity" since you may have it wihtout ever having manifested the rash/illness. Also, I'm confused about a booster for shingles. My understanding is that once you have contracted chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in your system for life and may later become active resulting in shingles. That is why shingles itself is not able to be spread (although if you've never had chicken pox you could contract if from someone displaying symptoms of shingles). Therefore, unless the booster somehow supresses the viruses ability to become active again, I'm not sure how it would work.

There is also some major concerns regarding the chicken pox vaccine as females who recieve it as children do not have complete immunity. The only way to acquire complete immunity is to actually have the virus. Since it is very dangerous to contract chicken pox during pregnancy, these girls will be at a higher risk as they reach childbearing age. I am waiting to see what the fall-out is as the cohort matures.

Personally, my dd was vaccinated against chicken pox as an infant before I had done my research. I will not give her any boosters until she reaches 12y (in the hopes that she actaully contracts it somehow). Then, if she has not yet shown immunity through blood testing, I will make sure she recieves regular boosters to protect herself and (eventually unborn baby(s))
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173939 tn?1333217850
I had the chickenpox for two weeks as a child but I will get the vaccination before I reach "old age". What shows up as chickenpox at a younger age can be Shingles at an older age - and that seems to be very painful and also attack your nerves. I am not sure if there is permanent nerve damage involved and at what age shingles is most common but I have watched my boss go through months of pain after he contracted the virus via his grandchildren. My son has been immunized against chickenpox in infancy and has "survived" two chickenpox outbreaks in daycare. I believe the chickenpox booster shot for older people is starting to be recommended now.
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Avatar universal
I am 30 years old and never had chicken pox as a child but got them last september(07). If you never had this as a child you do not want it as an adult. This was the worst pain I have ever had it lasted 9 weeks and then had a complication they got infected so then put on high doses of antibiotics and gabapentin which helps with nerve pain.  It is now May of (08) and the doctors have put me on Lyrica because I seem to have nerve damage and am still in pain.  I wish I would have gotten the vaccine.  My two children had the vaccine and did not contract the disease.
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