Can I get chickenpox a second time?

Many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to develop chickenpox for the second time. It is assumed that chicken pox is a disease that is affected once and for the most part even in childhood. However, for sure many were frightened by friends or relatives, and numerous articles on the Internet assure us that cases of repeated chickenpox disease in adults take place.

First, let's define what is chickenpox in general.

Varicella (chicken pox) is one of the most contagious diseases. That's why the majority (about ninety percent of people) get it in childhood. This disease is quite widespread - it is found in almost all countries of the world. The causative agent of chickenpox is a specific virus, which is very unstable in the environment, and therefore easily dies when exposed to ultraviolet light or heat, but dissipates with exceptional rapidity. This allows the virus to enter the airflow into many rooms, so if at least one child suffers from chicken pox in the kindergarten, the risk area is quite extensive, even children who do not go to the same group as the sick child fall into it.

This disease is easily transmitted by airborne droplets, and its virus contains windmill elements and remains viable for ten minutes in the air.

Primary symptoms of chickenpox can be seen only on the fourteenth - twenty-third day of the disease, so early diagnosis of this disease is almost impossible.

Can I get chickenpox a second time? This is quite realistic. According to statistics, a predisposition to recurrent chickenpox disease is present in twenty percent of people. In addition, in adults this disease can be much more painful than in children. It is especially dangerous when chicken pox is re-discovered in the elderly.

The main symptom of chickenpox is a rash. However, this is not the first symptom. An adult even before the onset of a rash may feel similar to the symptoms of SARS and ARD sensations. Such, for example, as weakness, fever, pain in the joints and muscles. In children, as a rule, these symptoms are less expressed or absent at all, and the incubation period usually does not exceed two weeks.

Those who wonder whether it is possible to get chickenpox the second time, it is necessary to take into account that usually adults carry the disease much harder than children. In addition to fever, an adult can feel a strong itch in the area of the rash, and the severity of the condition directly depends on the abundance of the rash. The state of the rash is three stages: the appearance of inconspicuous and almost not noticeable red spots up to four millimeters in size, the further transformation of these spots into papules or vesicles (towering over the skin and containing a liquid inside the cavity) and drying them, ultimately - The appearance of crusts, which soon disappear. The rash on the skin appears gradually, not all at once, so on the human body you can simultaneously see all of the listed stages. Scars after chickenpox should not be afraid - all the processes of the disease occur only in the upper layers of the skin, and therefore there should be no scarring. However, in no case should not scratch the rashes, because in this way with ease you can bring any infection. In order for itching to pass, you need to take any antihistamines that the doctor can prescribe.

During chickenpox, it is possible and necessary to carry out symptomatic treatment - take antipyretics (except aspirin), drink plenty of warm liquid, drink antihistamines and soothing drugs, try not to sweat, as sweat causes and intensifies itching.

Thus, the question of whether it is possible to get chickenpox for the second time has only one answer: "Yes, you can!" And this process in an adult will be much more unpleasant than a child. However, chicken pox is treatable, and this can not but rejoice.