Lost varicella immunity?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Does anyone know if you can lose immunity to chicken pox? I had it as a child and do not have documentation for it. I was just tested for antibodies and shown to not have immunity...I very clearly remember having it. :eek:

Sooo, I need to be vaccinated. However, I am concerned about the risk of developing shingles. Does anyone have any knowledge about this? I did a search but couldn't find any real info.

Thanks!

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.
Yes, one can absolutely loose varicella immunity. This is why shingles is more prevalent in older adults than in younger adults. As we age secondary immunity wanes and leaves one vulnerable to re-activation of the varicella virus that lies dormant in the spine.

Vaccination will cause the body to make antibodies and afford one protection. The vaccine is made from inactive virus, so it will not cause one to get shingles or chicken pox. Vaccination will prevent them.

bold added

I was under the impression that the varicella vaccines were live attenuated viruses. I just googled it and the majority of the hits reflect live...but I have been out of the field for almost 10 years now. Thanks.

Oh, and please don't mistake this question as a debate about the usefulness of vaccines, it isn't. Thanks again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was told by the NP who gave me the vaccine that it in fact is a live vaccine. I tried to get the vaccine two weeks ago, but was told they could not give it to me because I had received a MMR vaccine (live as well) a few weeks prior. You have to wait a month in between live virus immunizations as they can cancel each other out. The CDC's requirements for Varicella immunization are two vaccines administered 28 days apart. I found both with the MMR and Varicella vaccines, that I feel a little "run down" after receiving them. Just a heads up for those of you who plan on getting one or the other.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yup, i'm not immune to measles even though i've had my vaccinations. weird.

now those were the MMR vaccines, but measles is the only problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
bold added

I was under the impression that the varicella vaccines were live attenuated viruses. I just googled it and the majority of the hits reflect live...but I have been out of the field for almost 10 years now. Thanks.

Oh, and please don't mistake this question as a debate about the usefulness of vaccines, it isn't. Thanks again.

Oops - I was quite mistaken. You are correct- Zostavax is live attenuated virus and is, therefore contraindicated in immunocomprimised patients. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

It is not uncommon to have some general malaise, mild, following vaccination with a "live" vaccine as compared to receiving an inactivated vaccine...at least that is my anecdotal experience in community health.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was just looking for info on losing immunity and found this thread!!

I recently did a pre-pregnancy work-up and tested negative for varciella, which normally wouldn't be a big deal, but I am working on getting pregnant with my second baby. I find it strange that I had it as a child, and I was immune when I started NS 5 years ago, and also 3 years ago when I was pregnant with my now almost 2-year old. I had no idea you could lose immunity or I would've had this done a year ago!!

I have decided to get a new blood test to make sure it wasn't a "mistake" in the lab ( seen too many soap operas i guess, LOL). I would just get the vaccine again, and logically I know I should get it before getting pregnant, but you have to wait 3 months to get pregnant after the shot, and I just don't want to waste 3 months ( I'm in my late 30's and have tried for 4 months...). I am waiting now to see if I am pregnant and I am praying it was the lab that misses the little antibodies.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

When I was in school I had to have titers drawn. My MMR titer was low (if forget if it was one of the 'Ms' or it was the 'R')--it was only one of the three, but I had to get another MMR vaccine. That one burned like the dickens!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ugh good luck Agenyc... hopefully the labs will come back in your favor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I found this thread and am having this issue myself. Old titers show immunity, new ones (past 2) don't. I emailed CDC and have a email response from someone at CDC. Their response is ACIP says once immune, always immune but no harm in me getting 2 doses of varicella vaccine if I chose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a really bad case of the chicken pox, but for school I found it easier to just get a vaccine than pay/wait for a titer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I too had it as a child, at age 4. However I don't have record of it, so had to have a titer drawn for school, and it showed that I wasn't immune. I was pregnant at the time, so had to put school (nursing classes anyway) on hold b/c they said I couldn't have the vax until I was finished breastfeeding. But the choice was get the shot when able or forfeit school, so...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I found this thread and am having this issue myself. Old titers show immunity, new ones (past 2) don't. I emailed CDC and have a email response from someone at CDC. Their response is ACIP says once immune, always immune but no harm in me getting 2 doses of varicella vaccine if I chose.

I had chicken pox twice. I still showed a low titer. I have received a couple of boosters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment