I Think My 3YO Has Chicken Pox, but Had the Vaccine!?!?!?!

Updated on January 15, 2010
K.A. asks from Rockwood, PA
22 answers

Can anyone tell me if what i'm looking at could be Chicken pox? My 3YO had the chicken pox vaccine (whenever you normally get them), but she developed what we thought was just a pimple on her buttock, then within the next few days turned into a total of like 15 or so. all in that area. She scratched at the first one the first day before i really had a chance to look at it - and it bled a little bit, but i stil didn't think much of it! then today (about 5-6 days later) i noticed that all of them (mostly) look like a little scab. almost like they had been picked at - but i don't think she actually did pick at them... Could this be what they call "breakthrough disease" as it pertains to chicken pox? Now my 5 yo (also had the vaccine) all of a sudden is complaining of a sore throat (no spots in there that i can see) and has a mild fever. Could she have gotten it too??

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So What Happened?

Ok - to most of you - thank you. There were some very helpful suggestions I received. To some who just seemed a little critical - No thank you. That's not what I was looking for. I have 4 children, I think I know to call the Dr. with something like this. I wasn't just going to leave it up to the Mamasource community to diagnose my child! Anyway - again - to most of you - that's what i was looking for - other possible suggestions.... Anyway - the Doctor checked out my 3Yo - it was not Chicken Pox, it was a form of dermatitus, which we are treating with Anti bacterial soap and unscented lotion. My 5Yo ended up having nothing more than a virus that needed to run it's course. Wasn't strep throat or anything. So - I just was hoping to bounce some stuff off some people who may have had similar situations....I already had a call into the Doctor, just didn't have a call back yet, and wasn't sure when it would be!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

It could be impetigo. Very easy to get & spread especially if she is scratching it. (even clean looking nails can carry much bacteria!) My son started with what looked like O. small pimple on his bottom and O. day later it looked much worse--more red and more pimples. It was impetigo and he needed an antibiotic to clear it up. I would have it looked at asap, either way. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Hi K.,
Yes, it is possible she has chicken pox. The vaccines don't necessarily prevent children from getting pox altogether, they help to lessen the severity...atleast that's what my dr. told me after she'd already administered my twins. I wish you the best of luck!

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A.P.

answers from Allentown on

It's possible. The Varicella vaccine is a LIVE vaccine, so it's possible for a child to get 'Pox from it. It also, is one of the lesser effective & long-lasting vaccines on the market today. Considering that childhood is the safest time to get Chickenpox & this vaccine is almost guaranteed to NOT last beyond the first several years of life, it's kind of scary. The only way to guarantee a life-long immunity is to get the virus.

If this IS the virus, hopefully it'll end up being a blessing that your children will be protected life-long.

There's some good info for treatment in "Vaccinations: A thoughtful parent's guide" by Aviva Jill Romm.

Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
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A.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Definately sounds like Chicken Pox! Lots of children still get a mild case with the vaccine. check under the arm pits and any other hot spots for more-behind the ears, etc. The main reason I think is because they have the sore throat and fever...what about congestion? I am a mom of one 10 year old but have worked with children forever so I know most childhood diseases.... plus I had chicken pox as an adult even though I had a mild case as a child:)

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

It doesn't sound like it to me. But if you suspect it you should take them in immediately to have them checked as it's contagious.

You can still get chicken pox even if you have the vaccine. It's not 100%. If a child does get it, it would be less.

Having the spots on just her bottom doesn't sound right. There's many things out there that can cause this, which is why a trip to the doc is warranted if you're concerned. The sore throat isn't typical with the pox although a fever can accompany it, but usually after it's hit with the spots. The spots generally are on the torso and will work it's way out. The younger they are, generally the less it will be, but not a rule. It is very itchy, and if a child scratches and gets under the nail it will spread quickly on the body and around the house. It's usually 2 weeks before it shows up on the next person. I don't think that's what it is though.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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M.U.

answers from Philadelphia on

Did they have any shots lately meaning flu shot or H1N1 within a month leading to this "rash"? I would check with your pediatrician they may be having a reaction or maybe something else. I know when the H1n1 was really at its highest the 1st thing the dr would ask is "any strange rashes" the odd thing about yours is that its on the buttox only-call the doc and let us know - good luck

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A.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son had that happen to him. From what I have heard it will give extra immunity against future chicken pox.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

My oldest daughter had the vaccine and still had a tiny case of chicken pox. It was a patch right on the lower back near the top of her butt. It was itchy but she did not get very sick. My pediatrician said it was nothing to worry about. If you take her to her dr they can tell you right away. We just put anti itch cream on her.

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D.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

My son go the chicken pox after the vaccine. He did not itched and he did not feel sick. He had only a few spots on his arms. My neice never had the shot and only had 7 spots and she was told it was the chicken pox. so you don't need many to be it.

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J.Y.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Chicken Pox does not stay in 1 area. Could be a staph infection. I'd get her to the doctor. The other child's illness may be totally unrelated.

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

It doesn't sound like chicken pox , has she been unwell at all? Chicken pox (the spots) are the last part to happen and they usually get them in several places all over the body. It sounds like a rash of some description , my daughter get's rashes like this sometimes on her buttock and I just use Eucerin on it.

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L.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

Yes, they can definitely still get the chicken pox even if they've had the vaccine (it's usually a milder case, though). My daughter got it (the disease) when she was in Kindergarten, despite previously (whenever it was called for) being vaccinated. The doctor just told me to keep her as comfortable as possible (calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, benedryl) & TRY to prevent her from scratching (to prevent scars/infection).

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P.M.

answers from Harrisburg on

It absolutely could be chicken pox. My daughter had them when she was 2-1/2...about 10 days after she was to the dr.'s office for a well child visit. It was a mild case (b/c she had been vaccinated) and the worst was my older one whining b/c he couldn't have friends over for a while. I would have it diagnosed. They don't have to have the booster for the disease if they've already had it...has saved my daughter from some shots...

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B.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

My daughter had a rash like this on her bottom and it was something called mulloscum (might not be spelled correctly). It looked like pimples, had a head inside and bled when picked at. There was no fever, sore throat or other discomfort involved. they pretty much just looked terrible. It is contagious, especially if your children bath together.

The doc said there is no medication, and they did not recommend burning them off as that was very painful. The key to getting rid of them is to get the solid white head out of each pimple. Once you do, it will bleed quite a bit, but once the bleeding stops the spot won't come back because the head is gone. I used to do one or two spots after each bath until they were gone. A trip to the doctor is in order first because if it is chicken pox, you do not want to be scratching or poking at it at all. Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from Allentown on

I suppose it's possible to still get a strain of the pox even with the vaccine. But from what I remember I thought the started on the stomach and spread from there. If it's just on her buttocks it could be impetigo. I might say your other childs sore throat could be coincidental.
My childs ped has call hours in the morning if yours has anything like that it wouldn't hurt to call to put your mind at ease.
Good luck!

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S.O.

answers from Allentown on

Definitely take both kids to the dr., because if it is c. Pox, then it can be on record that your child already had it, therefore won't have to have the boosters repeatedly for school. And obviously just to put your mind at ease so you know what you're dealing with. Good luck!

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J.O.

answers from Philadelphia on

I was just at the pediatrician today with my 6 year old. He complained that his anal opening hurt last night and then this morning had a pimply rash all over his buttocks and thighs, which was itchy. The doctor swabbed the area and the test came out positive for strep infection. There is such a thing as rectal strep. I had never heard of that. He didnt complain of a sore throat and didnt have a fever. He just had a stuffy nose and slight cough earlier in the week. Anyway, it is very contagious and needs to be treated with Amoxicillin. Hope this helps and you find out what it is and how to treat it soon!

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T.H.

answers from Harrisburg on

K., fyi...my daughter also had some spots, they were mostly in the genital region. she developed a high fever 103, and we took her to the dr. they diagnosed her with hand, foot and mouth disease. apparently, this is highly contagious, and is going around. the symptoms are as follows; spots in the mouth, and throat area, hands, feet and genital area, and high fever. the fever can last for 5 days. it is classified as a virus, so they can't give any antibiotics. the dr said that kids can develop sores in the throat, and may not want to eat, since they can be quite painful. hope you daughters are feeling better! T.

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K.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I'm assuming you are looking for moms who have gone through this same experience to talk to about it. I'm also sure the first thing you did was call your doctor for the 3YO. Now, you need to do the same with the 5YO with the fever, too. The 5YO may have a completely separate illness, but a doctor will be able to tell you that. I know you're a working mom, and I know it's hard to juggle kids and work, but our 1st job is always our children. Never wait or take advice from others without calling or seeing a doctor 1st. Of course, follow your instincts, too, with the advice of your doctor. It's that time of year - illness everywhere. Time is precious when little ones are not well.

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M.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

Probably impetigo, which is a skin infection, as a previous poster mentioned. Definitely call your ped., it will spread if not treated.

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L.H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

It is possible for a vaccinated child to get the chicken pox. It is usually not as severe though, if they have been vaccinated. When my dd was younger, there was a mild epidemic of chicken pox in her school; and vaccinated, as well as vaccinated children got it.

However, if you aren't sure it's chicken pox, you should consider consulting with your doctor, especially for the one who has the sore throat and no spots. It could be something else.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

call the doctors office.

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