Chicken Pox Question.

twopeasinapod

My friend, M, has the chicken pox!  She thinks she got it from her daughter, G.  G had the vaccine so doesn't actually have the pox but M thinks she may have carried it home from school and given it to M.  Is that possible?  I ask because I thought about offering to take care of G while M is stuck at home.  My son has not had the vaccination and we're about to go on vacation next weekend so I don't want my son to get the pox.  What are the chances he might get it from G?  Is it possible? Thanks!

KKMMex

I love your sig pic.

My daughter just got her 15-month shots yesterday (including varicella) and the nurse sent us home with info on the vaccine.  One of the things I remember reading is that it's possible to transmit chickenpox if you have a reaction to the vaccine.  A reaction, if you get one, will happen 2 weeks after receiving the vax.

The other thing is that the vaccine is only about 70% effective.  Meaning G theoretically could have gotten a really mild case of chickenpox and carried it home and infected M, even though G received her vaccination.  The info I read did say that persons receiving the vaccination, if they end up getting the pox, will normally only get a mild case of it as the vax will offer them some immunity, just not 100% immunity.

So in your case I'd say better safe than sorry.  But poor M!

 

KKMMex

My other thought is that if your friend has already come down with the pox and she got it from G, then G may no longer be "infectious."  I think it takes 2 weeks' time from exposure to illness.  So G may be in the clear.

twopeasinapod

Thanks for the info!  I just called my doctor and he said to stay away from G for a while especially if we're flying somewhere (which we are in a week).  Poor M & G were supposed to go to London tomorrow and her doctor said NO FLYING.