We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Chickenpox Immunity?

By D. Poupon
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,053
Share

Chickenpox immunity is the protection a human’s immune system provides against the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox. Chickenpox immunity is generally achieved after a patient has recovered from naturally occurring chickenpox or when a child or adult has been vaccinated using Varivax, the chickenpox vaccine. Immunity from chickenpox, however, does not provide immunity from shingles, which is a painful disease that is caused by the same virus.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease amongst people who are not yet immune. Signs of chickenpox are fever and an itchy rash that appears mostly on the face and the trunk of the body. Chickenpox blisters start out as itchy red bumps, they fill with pus, and they finally pop and crust over before healing. Chickenpox typically runs its course in a couple weeks and can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines and non-aspirin pain medication. Chickenpox is spread through the air from coughing and sneezing or from direct contact with pus from a chickenpox blister.

People can only have moderate to severe cases of naturally occurring chickenpox once, except in rare circumstances. Another means of achieving chickenpox immunity is through vaccination. The Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) in the US strongly recommends controlling chickenpox in children through vaccination. The vaccine either provides chickenpox immunity or reduces the disease to mild chickenpox. It also helps prevent disease exposure to those people who are not eligible for vaccination because of their age, they are pregnant or they have reduced immune system capabilities.

Women infected with chickenpox early in their pregnancy have increased risk of birth defects. It is even more dangerous at the end of pregnancy, since chickenpox in babies can be life threatening. Women of childbearing age are recommended to receive the chickenpox vaccine and develop an immunity before conception. Breastfed babies are provided with some antibodies if their mother’s have already been exposed to chickenpox.

Shingles, which is characterized by a painful rash that can last many months, is caused by the chickenpox virus that has hidden in a patient’s nerves. It may appear much, much later in life and is one of the longest-term chickenpox complications. Chickenpox immunity does not protect from shingles, although a separate shingles vaccine is available and recommended for people older than 60.

Milder complications from chickenpox include skin infections and scarring. Care should be taken not to scratch pox. Vary rarely people infected with chickenpox can contract a brain infection and may require anti-viral medication.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-chickenpox-immunity.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.