You probably remember the oatmeal baths. Or maybe the tiny, itchy red dots that felt like they were taking over your entire body when you were six years old. For most of us, chickenpox was a one-and-done childhood rite of passage. We caught the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), suffered through a week of Benadryl and itching, and then moved on with our lives, safely assuming we were "immune for life." It’s a common belief. But honestly, it’s not strictly true for everyone.
If you've ever wondered, chickenpox: can you get it twice?, the short answer is yes. It's rare. It’s weird. But it happens.
Most people walk away from their first bout of chickenpox with a robust immune system that recognizes the virus the second it tries to sneak back in. Your body’s T-cells and B-cells basically remember the "face" of the virus and shut it down before you even notice. However, the medical world has documented cases of "reinfection," and it usually points to a few specific reasons why that initial shield didn't hold up.
The Science Behind Why Immunity Isn't Always a Lifetime Contract
When you get infected with chickenpox, your body produces antibodies. In a perfect world, those antibodies stay on guard forever. But biology is messy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while most people develop lifelong immunity, a small percentage of individuals may experience a second case.
Why? Usually, it's because the first case was incredibly mild. If you had chickenpox as a tiny infant—say, under six months old—your immune system might not have mounted a full-scale war. Because the response was weak, the "memory" of the virus wasn't burned into your biological hard drive. The same thing can happen if your first case only resulted in a handful of spots and no fever. Your body basically shrugged it off and forgot to take notes for next time.
There’s also the issue of being immunocompromised. If your immune system is weakened later in life by things like chemotherapy, organ transplants, or certain medications (like long-term steroids), that "memory" can fade. The shield drops.
Wait, Is It Actually Shingles?
This is where things get kinda confusing.
Most people who think they have chickenpox a second time are actually experiencing shingles. They are caused by the exact same virus—Varicella-zoster—but they aren't the same thing. Think of it like this: chickenpox is the initial invasion. After you "recover," the virus doesn't actually leave your body. It retreats. It goes into hiding in your nerve tissues near your spinal cord and brain.
It sleeps there for decades.
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Then, usually when you’re older or stressed out, the virus "wakes up." But instead of causing a full-body rash like chickenpox, it travels along a specific nerve path. This results in shingles (herpes zoster). It’s usually a painful, localized rash on one side of the face or body.
If you see a rash and think, "Oh no, chickenpox: can you get it twice?"—check the pattern. Chickenpox is everywhere. Shingles stays in a line or a patch.
Dr. Anne Gershon, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Columbia University, has spent years studying VZV. Her research highlights that while the virus is remarkably stable, the human immune response is the variable factor. Some people just don't keep their antibody levels high enough over the decades.
The Breakthrough Infection: A New Kind of "Second" Case
Since the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) became common in the mid-90s, we've started seeing something called "breakthrough varicella."
This isn't technically getting it "twice" if you never had the wild virus as a kid, but it feels like it. If you’ve been vaccinated and still catch chickenpox, it’s usually a shadow of the real thing. We’re talking maybe 50 lesions instead of 500. No fever. No crusting sores. It’s chickenpox "light."
But here’s the kicker: people with breakthrough infections are still contagious. If you have a mild case, you can still pass the full-strength virus to someone who isn't immune. This is why doctors get so picky about staying home even if you "only have a few spots."
Real-World Cases and the "Recurrent Varicella" Phenomenon
There are documented medical histories of people getting the full-blown, itchy, miserable chickenpox twice. A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases tracked rare instances where healthy individuals with no known immune deficiencies caught it again.
One common thread in these cases? A long gap between exposures.
If you caught it in 1980 and were never exposed to it again, your immune system might lose its edge. Interestingly, back before the vaccine was common, adults used to get "boosted" naturally. They’d hang out with their kids or grandkids who had chickenpox, and that tiny bit of exposure would remind their immune system to stay alert. Now that chickenpox is less common in the community, we don't get those natural "booster shots" as often.
How Do You Know for Sure?
If you're sitting there with a suspicious rash, don't just guess. You can actually get a blood test to check your titers. This measures the level of antibodies in your blood.
Doctors look for two types:
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- IgM antibodies: These show up when you have a current or very recent infection.
- IgG antibodies: These are the long-term "memory" antibodies that show you’re immune.
If you have a rash and your IgM is high, congratulations, you’re one of the rare ones. You’re having a second round.
Is the Second Time Dangerous?
Generally, no more dangerous than the first—unless you're an adult. Chickenpox is notoriously harder on adults than children. Complications like viral pneumonia or encephalitis (brain inflammation) are much more common when you're 35 than when you're 5.
Pregnant women also need to be extremely careful. If you’re pregnant and think you’re getting chickenpox again, call your OBGYN immediately. The virus can cause congenital varicella syndrome in the baby, which is serious business.
Actionable Steps If You Suspect Reinfection
Don't panic. But don't ignore it either. If those tell-tale blisters start appearing, follow this roadmap:
Isolate Immediately
You are contagious from about two days before the rash appears until every single blister has crusted over. Stay away from pregnant women, newborns, and anyone with a weak immune system.
Get Tested
Go to a clinic. Ask for a PCR test of the lesion itself. It’s much more accurate than a blood test for a quick diagnosis. They’ll swab the fluid from a blister and know for sure if it’s VZV.
Check for Shingles
Look at the rash. Is it only on your left side? Does it follow a specific "stripe" on your skin? If so, it’s likely shingles, and you might need antiviral meds like Acyclovir to prevent long-term nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia).
Hydrate and Cool Down
Oatmeal baths (like Aveeno) still work. Calamine lotion is still a classic for a reason. Avoid aspirin—using it during a viral infection like chickenpox is linked to Reye’s syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition affecting the liver and brain. Use acetaminophen instead.
Verify Your Records
If you have kids, check their vaccination status. If you really are getting it a second time, it means the virus is circulating nearby, and you want to make sure the people around you are protected.
The reality is that while the "immunity for life" rule holds up for 95% of the population, biology loves an outlier. Whether it's a "breakthrough" case after a vaccine, a weirdly mild childhood infection that didn't stick, or a full-on second round due to fading immunity, it is possible. Stay vigilant, watch the symptoms, and remember that even in 2026, old-school viruses can still surprise us.
Next Steps for Your Health:
If you aren't sure about your immunity status, schedule a simple blood titer test with your primary care physician. It’s the only definitive way to know if your childhood "shield" is still active or if you’re a candidate for a booster or the shingles vaccine (especially if you're over 50).