The Duggars Have Chickenpox

The Duggar Kids Got the Chickenpox; Has Your Child?

August 24, 2010

When one child has chickenpox, chances are his siblings will get them, too! The illness can spread easily when the infected kiddo does everyday things like cough, sneeze, or share a sip of a drink or a bite of a sandwich. Imagine what it's like when chickenpox enters the Duggar home! In tonight's episode of 19 Kids and Counting, Jim Bob and Michelle find their family covered in spots and have to keep the youngsters away from baby Josie. Have your tots had chickenpox?

17 Comments

amandachalynn 2 years 38 weeks

I'm sorry but my 10 years experience, not to mention the science behind how the virus is triggered disagrees anon 16.

2 years 38 weeks

Its effectiveness in avoiding shingles as an adult is far from proven, and as was previously stated, it may even increase the chances of adult shingles.

amandachalynn 2 years 38 weeks

I'm sorry, but some of this is backwards. If you get Varicella aka chicken pox, the disease stays with you forever. While this may prevent further infections of Varicella, it makes you susceptible to Herpes Zoster, better known as Shingles. Shingles is extremely painful and can be very harmful. It usually occurs in people over the age of 50 who have compromised immune systems. Shingles is a reactivation of the Varicella virus. Getting the vaccine as a child will prevent the virus from lying dormant during the patients life, thus significantly reducing the chances of getting Shingles. All elderly adults who have had Chicken Pox are strongly advised to get Zostavax at age 50, and again at 65 to help prevent Shingles from occurring. Zosta is incredibly expensive(400.00 a pop here is CA), and Medicare doesn't cover it because it's preventative. I don't like to come off as a know it all, but I saw so many elderly patients in misery because of Shingles. Chicken Pox is child's play compared to Shingles, and I preferred to vaccinate my son as a child so he wouldn't have to worry about Shingles when he's elderly. Don't take my word, here's the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/in-short-adult.htm

vabeachbum 2 years 38 weeks

Thanks blackjade! Like I said, I don't plan on having kids for another year or so, but my husband and I want to do our research now so we're not making spur of the moment decisions when it comes to this stuff.

2 years 38 weeks

The chicken pox vaccine may actually INCREASE your chances of getting it as an adult, which is a much more dangerous time to have it. We chose not to have it unless a longevity is established, or a new booster schedule researched. Right now it's showing that it can "wear off" after a couple decades, leaving the person most vulnerable just as they really need immunity most. And no, having it doesn't give you an automatic immunity for life. It's absolutely dependent on the person. It's not common to get it more than once, but it's not unheard of either.

blackjade 2 years 38 weeks

I mentioned to my Dr that I'd had chickenpox when I was 11 and she said "Good, then your set for life." She said that while the vaccine is good to have, it doesn't actually give life long immunity while actually having it does. oh and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) is a good one to get - not that you're children will become deathly ill if they contract the diseases but trust me children get sick enough as it is, if you can prevent several weeks of misery in a 3 year old (and the rest of the family be default) - it's a good thing.

2 years 38 weeks

Many people choose not to vaccinate, and "developmental problems" isn't the only reason. And yeah, the vax is no guarantee you won't get chicken pox. My uncle has gotten them once a year his entire life.

vabeachbum 2 years 38 weeks

Anyone know anything about mumps and measles? I have heard mixed things about how severe those are... any info would be great!

vabeachbum 2 years 38 weeks

I don't have kids yet, but I don't intend to vaccinate for chicken pox. My sisters and I all had it as kids and we all turned out fine. Getting the disease conveys lifetime immunity, but if you get vaccinated you have to keep getting boosters to maintain it. I will vaccinate for the diseases that are really serious (like rubella... not bad for the kid that gets it, but if you are pregnant and contract it, it will cause a miscarriage or severe birth defects) but not relatively harmless ones like chicken pox. Still making up my mind about mumps and measles.

schnappycat 2 years 38 weeks

No, we vaccinate, so hopefully that will eliminate or at least lessen the disease in my kids.

2 years 39 weeks

Unfortunately, you can still get the chicken pox even if you have been vaccinated. My niece had a truly rotten case of chicken pox a few months ago, and she had both chicken pox shots.

BellaH68 2 years 39 weeks

Edit: Its dangerous to get Chicken Pox as an adult.

BellaH68 2 years 39 weeks

What I just dont understand is why give your kids the Chicken Pox vax? Its dangerous for adults to get Chicken Pox as an adult. We all had it as kids and were fine. When my son is old enough, if I find out any of his friends have Chicken Pox, I'm bring my son over for a playdate! We vaccinate...but not ones that seem uneccessary to me, like the flu or Chicken Pox.

SarahPW 2 years 39 weeks

Kids should be vaccinated- there is NO medical evidence that links vaccinations to any sort of developmental issues in children. Why let your child suffer, when a simple shot can prevent sickness. I just don't understand.