Causes of Chickenpox, Its Symptoms, and Answers to Common Questions: Can You Get It Twice?

Causes of chickenpox, symptoms, prevention, and clear answers to whether one can get it again after having it.

A social media buzz was sparked by the announcement from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Science at Rangsit campus to switch to online classes from 3-6 March after a chickenpox outbreak among students. This measure aims to protect the health and hygiene of students and staff. While chickenpox seems like a common childhood illness, it can be more severe with concerning complications when it occurs in adults.

What causes chickenpox and why is it so easily transmitted?

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which spreads very easily through two main routes:

• Breathing: inhaling droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking with an infected person.
• Contact: direct contact with the blisters or sores of an infected person, including sharing personal items.

Checking the symptoms"Chickenpox"In teenagers and adults

Symptoms usually appear about 10-21 days after exposure and progress through these stages:

• Initial stage: low-grade fever, body aches, headache, and loss of appetite (similar to a cold).
• Rash stage: red spots begin appearing on the face, torso, and spread over the body.
• Blister stage: red spots develop into clear fluid-filled blisters that itch intensely before gradually crusting over.
• Caution: adults generally experience more severe symptoms than children and may develop complications.For example,pneumonia or encephalitis. If breathing becomes difficult or mental status declines, immediate medical attention is necessary.

Four main reasons chickenpox is more severe in adults than in children

1. Immune response: adults' bodies react with stronger inflammation, leading to higher fever, more rashes, and greater pain.
2. Risk of complications: adults have a higher chance of internal organ complications like pneumonia, which can be fatal.
3. Longer illness duration: adults take longer to recover, with blisters taking over 10 days or more to crust and heal.
4. Underlying health and immunity: existing conditions or weakened immunity increase severity.

Answering the question: Can you get chickenpox again after having it once?

One common question is"If I had chickenpox as a child, can I get infected again during this outbreak?"

The answer is"It is very unlikely but possible."Normally, infection confers lifelong immunity, but those with severely weakened immune systems may experience reinfection.

However, the virus does not leave the body; it remains dormant in nerve ganglia and can reemerge as"shingles"(Herpes Zoster) when the body is weakened.

Proper treatment and prevention methods

Currently, treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

• Medication: fever reducers (avoiding aspirin), antihistamines to relieve itching, and antiviral drugs may be prescribed for severe cases.
• Self-care: drink plenty of fluids and keep nails trimmed short to prevent bacterial infection from scratching.
• The best prevention is vaccination,"the chickenpox vaccine,"which is available for children and adults without immunity.

Checking chickenpox vaccine prices

If you have never had chickenpox or are unsure if your vaccine series is complete (usually two doses), current approximate prices are as follows:

• Public hospitals/universities: around 800-1,100 baht, usually excluding medical service fees (about 50-200 baht).
• Private hospitals: about 1,500-2,500 baht per dose, often sold as a two-dose package costing 3,000-4,500 baht (including service fees).
• Private clinics: roughly 1,200-1,800 baht, depending on vaccine brand and clinic fees.

Conditions and important information before adult vaccination: how many doses?

Adults (13 years and older) require two doses spaced 4-8 weeks apart to achieve sufficient immunity (about 94-98% effective).

Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?

• Pregnant women: and pregnancy should be avoided for at least one month after vaccination.
• People with severely weakened immune systems or those taking immunosuppressive drugs.
• Those with a high fever should postpone vaccination until fully recovered.

Can you still get chickenpox after vaccination?

It is possible but symptoms are milder, with fewer than 50 blisters, low fever, and quicker recovery than unvaccinated individuals.

Is the chickenpox vaccine covered by social security?

The chickenpox vaccine is not covered by social security because it is classified as an"optional vaccine,"not included in the basic vaccine package under social security rights, which only covers certain vaccines under specific conditions, such as the flu vaccine for insured persons aged 50 and over, or rabies/tetanus vaccines in cases of accidents or animal bites.