Odds of Getting the Chickenpox After Being Vacc.?

Updated on March 02, 2009
M.L. asks from Hugo, MN
13 answers

My daughter has a suspicious rash on her belly, upper legs and hips. They look like little red pimples and probably has about 20 of them. She hasn't had any other symptoms such as fever, etc. She says she doesn't itch either. The only thing I can think of is chicken pox. But, she's been vaccinated against it. I know there is always a chance, but could this be it without any other symptoms? She has a history of eczema as well and gets 1 flare up a winter but it never comes in the form of little red pimples, just usually red dry skin. Any thoughts on what this is? If I call the doctor to ask, I won't get an answer, they will just make me come in. I have 3 kids 3 and under and I hate dragging them all there if I don't have to. She isn't bothered at all by them. Thanks ladies!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Hey everyone, it turns out it isn't chx pox, thank goodness! It's folliculitus (sp), basically a bacterial infection of her hair follicles from itching. Thanks for all your responses!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

My 2 older children both got chicken pox after being vaccinated. It was a milder case, but got them none-the-less. K.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

My oldest 2 had chicken pox after the vacc. They each had less than 20 and my son's marks were primarily on his torso. The DR. said it's quite common to have a mild case even after vacc. They also did not bother them with itching and neither of them had a fever. Hope this helps. I do think you should call the DR.-they might want to record the date in his chart.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Duluth on

Shortly after my two kids were vaccinated, they both had a very light case of chicken pox. They were about 2 and 3-1/2 at the time. They weren't especially bothered and they had not been exposed to anybody who was infected or proceeded to get chicken pox later (that we were aware of). Since the vaccine is just weakened pox, it is possible to have a mild case of it from the vaccine. They didn't suffer and they have never had a recurrence. It was WAY easier that the full-blown chicken pox can be!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi M.
The chance of your daughter getting chicken pox is pretty high the vaccination really only lessens the severity of them in most people. my son has had the vaccination and the chicken pox twice. I did not vaccinate my daughter she had them pretty bad once and has been exposed several times and has not gotten them again. My sons didnt bother him much the first time either. Good luck T.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.I.

answers from Duluth on

it could be hives.
you could try watching the foods shes recently eaten, and see if there is any corrolation between what shes eating and this rash, of course, this is easiest to do a few days after the rash goes away, which is hard to do if you dont know where its coming from LOL
wash her bedding, give her a baking soda bath, and see if you can get them to go away.
you could take her to the doctor too...
good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

My duaghter also got the chicken pox after being vaccinated. It started as one and within hours spread to about 20 little red pox on her abdomen/back. They did not itch and she had no other symptoms and they went away within 2-3 days. My pediatrician said that is typical of the chicken pox after vaccination.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Appleton on

You can still get a mild reaction to chickenpox after being vaccinated.
And you can have a reaction to the vaccine itself. My daughter had similar symptoms about a month after she was vaccinated. The good thing about having a reaction to the vaccine was that it wasn't a live virus, so she wasn't contagious and could still attend daycare!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.N.

answers from St. Cloud on

Yes, the kids can still get chicken pox after their shot. It happened to my son last spring. It was a very mild chicken pox, but it still kept him home from school for 2 weeks. Then I learned that it is not unusual for that to happen. So- I learned not to bother with that immunization for all my other kids.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Minneapolis on

Our playgroup was canceled TODAY because the mom who was going to host it called to say that her 14 month old (who had been vaccinated)had the chicken pox. So, I guess it is possible!

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Lincoln on

Hi M., not sure the odds of getting chicken pox after being vaccinated. But wanted to share with you my sister in law has 3 chicken pox vaccinated children who have all just recently had the chicken pox. The first child had them horribly, the second not as bad, and the third just woke up yesterday with them. I was so surprised at how bad her first got them considering he had the vaccination. It made me wonder why we vaccinate if they are going to get them anyway. I would check with the doc. to just be sure. My Sister in law has been confined to her house for about a month as all 3 of her children have slowly gotten them! If you are going to go through the same thing, you might want to be prepared for it. :) Good Luck and I hope it is just dry skin or something else easy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just had this conversation with my ped so feel compelled to pass along the information. He said the chance of getting chic pox after the first immunization is around 50%. They now do a booster (can't remember age) and the chance after the booster is around 10%. He also said that even if kids get chicken pox after the immunization, it is most likely going to be a much less severe case. Chicken pox is not common now a days but still around...nothing like when we were growing up though. And once you get it....you have active immunity and you will never get it again. Hope your little one is doing better!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

If they don't itch chances are good that they could be roseolla, there is nothing that can be done for that other than waiting. It takes 3 - 5 days for them to pass. They don't seem to affect the kids at all either.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.V.

answers from Lincoln on

two of my boys have gotten chicken pox after being vaccinated. They can still get it, it just won't be as bad as if they hadn't had the shot.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions