can you get chickenpox twice

Yes, you can get chickenpox a second time, though it is uncommon.¹

Why a Second Infection Can Happen

• Lifelong Immunity: For most people, a single infection or full vaccination provides lifelong protection against the varicella-zoster virus.¹²
• Weakened Immune Systems: A second case is more likely if your immune system was suppressed during the first infection or is currently weakened (such as from chemotherapy, long-term steroid use, or a medical condition).¹²
• Mild First Case: If the first infection happened when you were a baby under 6 months old or was very mild, your body may not have built a strong immune memory.¹
• Misdiagnosis: The first rash might not have been chickenpox at all, meaning the "second" time is actually the first actual infection.¹²

Chickenpox vs. Shingles

Many people who think they have chickenpox a second time actually have shingles:¹

• Chickenpox causes an itchy, widespread rash of 250 to 500 blisters scattered across the entire body.
• Shingles is caused by the same virus, which stays dormant in your nerve cells after your first chickenpox infection and reactivates later in life. It usually shows up as a painful, burning rash in a localized band or patch on one side of the body or face.¹²³

You can check official guidance on symptoms and management via the NHS Chickenpox Guide or read the CDC About Chickenpox overview.¹²To help me give you more relevant information, could you share:

• Who is experiencing the symptoms (an adult or a child)?
• Is the rash all over the body or localized to one side?

Yes, you can get chickenpox twice, though it is very rare . Once you recover from chickenpox, your body usually builds lifelong immunity to the virus.¹²³

Why a Second Case Happens

When someone appears to catch chickenpox a second time, it is usually due to one of the following reasons:

• Weakened immune system. Conditions like cancer, HIV, or treatments such as chemotherapy and long-term steroids can lower your immune defences. This makes it easier to catch the virus again.¹²³
• A very mild first infection. If your first bout of chickenpox was extremely mild or happened when you were a baby, your body may not have produced enough antibodies for full protection.¹²
• An incorrect initial diagnosis. Other childhood viral rashes, insect bites, or skin conditions can look like chickenpox. If your first illness was misdiagnosed, you may not have had chickenpox before at all.¹²

Shingles vs. a Second Chickenpox Infection

Often, what feels like chickenpox returning is actually shingles. Both conditions are caused by the same varicella-zoster virus, which stays dormant in your nerve cells after you recover from chickenpox.¹

Checking Your Immunity

If you are unsure whether you have had chickenpox or are worried about catching it again, a GP or pharmacist can arrange a simple blood test to check for antibodies. You can also read more about symptoms and vaccination on the NHS chickenpox guide or the CDC chickenpox overview.¹²³

Are you asking because you have a new rash right now, or are you trying to check your immunity ahead of a trip or pregnancy? If you share a bit more context, I can give you more tailored information.

Yes, you can get chickenpox twice, but it's quite rare.

Here's how it works:

• Usually, you only get chickenpox once. After recovering, your immune system normally develops long-lasting immunity.
• It is possible to catch it again. Some people don't develop enough immunity after their first infection, so they can get chickenpox a second time.
• Shingles is different. The chickenpox virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate years later as shingles. This isn't a second case of chickenpox.

You might be more likely to get it twice if:

• You had chickenpox very mildly the first time.
• You caught it when you were very young.
• Your immune system is weakened.

Are you asking because you've been around someone with chickenpox, or because you've developed a rash and think you might have it again?