Chronicles of Chaos

February 7, 2007 | Print

Getting Chicken Pox from the Chicken Pox Vaccine

Amelia’s favorite school friend may have the chicken pox. Being me, as well as planning Amelia’s birthday party for next weekend which could be sans childs if there’s an outbreak, I immerse myself in research.

It’s an interesting case because it seems her friend, if she has it, got the chicken pox from the chicken pox vaccine.

Here’s what I learn:

+ It’s not uncommon (meaning it happens) for kids to get the chicken pox from the chicken pox vaccine. They generally have a lesser case. It also seems to be less contagious.

+ Chicken pox are contagious 1-2 days before the first pox appears.

+ Generally, if you’ve been exposed, you break out the 14th day after exposure. Though the window for breaking out is 10-21 days from exposure.

+ If you’ve been exposed to chicken pox and don’t want to get it, you can get the chicken pox vaccine and it may keep you from getting it, or mean you get a lesser case. But you must get the vaccine within 72 to 120 hours from exposure.

+ Less than 15 pox is considered a light case and likely less contagious, etc.

+ Doctors often recommend the vaccine for children who haven’t had the chicken pox and are approaching 10 years old.

Once I compute that Amelia’s birthday party is before the 14 day post exposure break out day, I try to relax.

Then of course we find out that her friend doesn’t have the chicken pox. Which is good. I’m happy to emerge from the medical world.

I do have a lingering false start sensation, but I’m sure that’ll wear off.

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