The Chickenpox vaccine is now available at King’s Pharmacy in Birmingham! Chickenpox is a very common childhood illness and is usually quite mild, however, it is highly contagious. Yet, adult chickenpox is serious meaning vaccination is vitally important.

Chickenpox symptoms

Chickenpox begins with a slight cold but develops into a rash within one to two days. The rash is usually on the chest, back, and face but can be seen to spread to all areas of the body. A low fever is also common as well as a decreased appetite and general illness.

Is chickenpox contagious?

Chickenpox is contagious from two days prior to the appearance of a skin rash and can last up until 5 days after it first appeared. You are highly likely to catch chickenpox from an infected person if you have not received the vaccine as a child or if you have not suffered from the illness as a child. However, it isn’t always a fast process. It can take up to three weeks for symptoms to start appearing.

What is the chickenpox vaccine?

The chickenpox vaccine protects against the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that leads to the contraction of chickenpox. If you did not have suffered from chickenpox as a young child it is highly recommended that you receive a chickenpox vaccine. There are instances where a young child will receive the vaccine such as if a parent is going through chemotherapy or a parent suffers from a condition that leads to a weakened immune system.

Adult chickenpox

Catching chickenpox as an adult is usually very serious. Adults who catch chickenpox will endure similar but usually more severe symptoms such as:

• Fevers
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Itchy rash
• Skin blisters

Chickenpox in adults can lead to hospitalisation. These severe issues include:

• Sepsis
• Dehydration
• Encephalitis
• Pneumonia
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

Common chickenpox questions

Can you suffer from chickenpox twice?

Yes, but it’s rare. The chickenpox virus often returns in the form of shingles.

Can you catch shingles from someone with chickenpox?

The short answer is no, you cannot.

Can you catch chickenpox from someone with shingles?

If you have not had chickenpox or the vaccine, you can catch the chickenpox from coming into contact with someone suffering from shingles.

Come to Kings Pharmacy for chickenpox vaccines in Birmingham. Our highly skilled team of expert pharmacists are here to keep you safe and well.

If you require a chickenpox vaccine be sure to contact us today!