Chicken pox strikes twice

So, apparently it is an absolute myth that you can only catch chicken pox once in your life and then you are immune for all eternity.

My mum thinks, that either my sister or I had chicken pox twice as a child.  She cannot remember exactly which one of us it was, but we both had it at least once and one of us, has had it twice.

Twice is rare.  For most people, certainly once will be all.  But, we have both had it and are definitely immune now, according to mum.

So, when Zachy caught chicken pox over new year, part of me was relieved that he was getting it over and done with and however inconvenient it was at the time to have to stay home, how marvellous that we need not live in fear of the dreaded chicken pox darkening our door again.

We kept him away from people who did not want to risk their children getting infected and mixed him only with those who did.

I showered him with kisses and wrapped him in cuddles, feeling smug safe in my immunity.

He did not much enjoy the itchiness and had a few restless nights, but within a week of the spots appearing they had started to scab over and he was back to his usual self in no time at all.

He returned to nursery, we returned to work, and I did not give it another thought.  Well, not much of one anyway.

Then, last week I noticed a few red spots on MY BODY.  I did not think of chicken pox at all, because of my immunity and because everyone knows that you can’t catch it twice.  Or three times.

Instead, I assumed an allergic reaction to something, perhaps laundry detergent or shower gel.  I secretly hoped it might be a food allergy to chocolate, or to pasta, or to something else that tastes delicious but makes you fat so should therefore be avoided. (Please don’t let it be cheese!)

I had a panic attack on day two, thinking what if the rash was a reaction to how much red wine I had consumed on the weekend and I would be told that I must never touch a single drop again.

Shudder.

The next day, the spots had doubled so I started googling what else the cause could possibly be and freaked myself out enough to see a Doctor about it.

‘It’s chicken pox’ was the first thing she said as I lifted my top to show her the spotty area.

Great.

‘You must absolutely not go into the office tomorrow’ she continued.

Great!

Every cloud and all that.

 

You can also find me on Facebook and on Twitter @smudgerella