Chickenpox (Varicella): What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

You are at risk for chickenpox if you have not had chickenpox or the vaccine and you:

• Live with someone who has chickenpox.
• Work or play indoors for more than 1 hour with someone who has chickenpox.
• Are in the hospital and share a room with someone who later develops chickenpox or are cared for by a staff member who later develops chickenpox.
• Have an impaired immune system.

Your risk of getting chickenpox is especially high if you are exposed to a household member with chickenpox, because of the close contact. In addition, you may develop a more severe case than the person who infected you. Chickenpox is most contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears until the blisters have dried and formed crusts.

Some people also are at increased risk of developing complications from chickenpox, such as newborns, teenagers, adults—especially pregnant women—and those with impaired immune systems.

After you have had chickenpox or the vaccine, you become immune to the virus. It is possible that you may have a slight reaction after reexposure, such as a few spots and a slight fever. But you are not likely toget chickenpox more than once.

Last updated:	May 21, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer