you are at risk for chickenpox if you have not had chickenpox or the vaccine and you: live with someone who has chickenpox. work or play indoors for more than 1 hour with someone who has chickenpox. are in the hospital and share a room with someone who later develops chickenpox or are cared for by a staff member who later develops chickenpox. have an impaired immune system. your risk of getting chickenpox is especially high if you are exposed to a household member with chickenpox because of the close contact. in addition you may develop a more severe case than the person who infected you. chickenpox is most contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears until the blisters have dried and formed crusts. some people also are at increased risk of developing complications from chickenpox such as newborns teenagers adults-especially pregnant women-and those with impaired immune systems. after you have had chickenpox or the vaccine you become immune to the virus. it is possible that you may have a slight reaction after reexposure such as a few spots and a slight fever. but you are not likely toget chickenpox more than once. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what increases the risk of getting chickenpox varicella?